"Purchased ProBeam yesterday and put it to use right away. Great program, ideal for my use. I really appreciate the easy to understand engineering principles. A big help in better understanding the big picture."
Darrin Boyko
Shelter Design, Gabriola Island, BC
Checkout is secured through Equifax Secure Inc. using High Grade Encryption (AES 256 256 bit)
|
|
 |
Building industry professionals
Building green equals building smart...
...for your bottom line. Overbuilding wastes thousands of dollars on wood, concrete, and steel.
...for our environment. Overbuilding wastes wood and other raw materials.
...for the structural integrity of your buildings. Under-building leaves structures prone to sags, cracks, and other failures.
 I'm Tim Garrison, President of ConstructionCalc, Inc. I'm also a licensed engineer and seasoned builder with 35+ years experience. My mission is to promote building green by:
1) Teaching builders, designers, and code officials how structures really work - what is needed for strength and what isn't; and
2) Producing inexpensive, easy-to-use software tools for structural design. Go to our Structural Design Software Store
Did you know that virtually every new home built in the United States in 2008-2009 wasted a truckload of lumber, concrete, and framing hardware? That's right. Each year hundreds of thousands of tons of building materials were installed that had no useful purpose. I'm talking studs, beams, joists, footings, shear walls and holdowns that may as well have been thrown in a landfill.
What's even more scary is that under-building is nearly as common. Most buildings also contain hidden under-designed elements. Beams, rafters, and walls that, exposed to heavy snow, earthquake, or wind, could fail. You've seen the news clips and the disaster photos.
How is it possible that with so much emphasis on building green and this nation's restrictive building codes we're still so far off the mark?
Unfortunately, most builders and designers have not been formally trained in the art of structural design. Most learned from peers, who learned from their peers and so on.
Also, most builders and designers are unaware of how easy it is to use computer software for structural design. Many are sizing beams, joists, rafters, and footings the way they always have... using little more than the back of their thumb.
 ... they use a 6x10 where a 4x6 would work. They stack 4, or 6, or more studs under a beam when one would safely hold the load (see photo to right, courtesy BIAW, Building Insight, April, 2009). Or they use five post and pier lines when three would do the trick.
And on the flip-side, they should use a ridge beam rather than a ridge board. And they should beef up long, slender posts. And they'd make darned sure that footings were sized and installed correctly.
It doesn't have to be this way.
Building green can be easy AND you can save thousands of dollars on each project by:
-Learning basic structural concepts.
-Learning to do the calculations with user-friendly computer software.
If you're ready to build green AND save thousands on every job AND stop worrying about under-building... you've come to the right place.
If you'd like to learn more about how building green saves money, a great place to start is the slide portion of my presentation entitled Green Framing Saves Big.
Thank you for visiting. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Looking forward to helping you build more efficiently.
Tim K. Garrison, P.E.
President, ConstructionCalc, Inc.
|
|
|
|
| Register for Members Only Content |
It's free and only requires your name, username and email address.
|
| Register | Login |
|
|
Excel-based software since 1995.
Happy customers in 50 states, 11 countries, and growing.
|
|
|
"Not only is your software fantastic, but your [technical assistance] responses are great too.
Stephen McConnell, West Rutland, VT.
|
|
“I love your beam calc software. Use it all the time. I am a framer and I have caught many undersized beams and joists. Also been able to place approprate beams and assist in on-the-spot design. Need every advantage in today's market.”
Joram Cernava, Precision-Built Structures, Inc.
|
|
|
“A definite advantage is your printed output. It is MUCH clearer than other programs. For me this means easier checking and takeoff of reactions for the design of columns, connections, and footings… therefore efficiency!!! I also liked your 'on-the-fly' instructions.”
Tim Terich, P.E.
|
|
|
“From a contractor’s perspective, this is the first structural software geared specifically for me. I wish all computer products were so simple to use… just fill in a few blanks and I’ve got twenty answers all at once! ConstructionCalc has accomplished what all the other’s don’t seem to get… that it has to be quick and easy, or contractors won’t use it.
“With ConstructionCalc software, when I’m bidding a job, now I don’t have to guess at the right beam, joist, column, or footing sizes any more. This makes my bids more competitive and accurate.
“Another great use of this software is on small jobs where I need a beam sized right away. Now I don’t have to make phone calls and wait on some outside engineer. Also, now I don’t have to waste money guessing my beam sizes too big, trying to stay safe.”
Dave Fisher, Contractor, Tacoma WA
|
|
|
“Compared to other software, ConstructionCalc is great! Now an inexperienced user can do simple or complicated design. I still may check with my engineer, but I can sure save the client a lot of money with this software.”
Henry Souza, Architectural Designer
|
|
|
“Your ConstructionCalc software is excellent! The speed was great, I didn't have to wait, ever! The Table of Contents was very useful. My favorite aspect was the ease of use.”
Brian Koerner, Jackson, WY
|
|
|
“The loads calculator is a great feature...for anything other than a standard load I must do these calculations with a pencil and calculator when I use other software.
“
I like the way ConstructionCalc generates optional solutions to the design problem. With other software, if I want to try something different, like see what size of VersaLam I could use instead of a 6x12, I have to change the input and print out another report.”
Richard Berg, Architect
|
|
|
“
I liked the ease of checking different combinations, loading, or member size / type.”
Lars Holte, P.E., S.E.
|
|
|
|
“The program [ProBeam] is very well laid out. I've used a few others throughout my career and this one is by far the nicest.”
Tricia Bennon, Plans Examiner
|
|
|
|
“I’m a home designer in Salem Oregon who’s been using ConstructionCalc for about 4 years now. I’ve been in this industry for 27 years, and I’m very impressed by the simplicity and completeness this program offers. Obviously you’ve spent a good share of time in the field which is most helpful.”
Bob Carroll, President, Carrollton Designs Inc.
|
|
|
