Latest on RKALC
20/4/2025
Tributary Areas? Sure Thing!: Meet TribKALC!
TribKALC is one of the most popular web apps from the RKALC software suite — and we’ve just rolled out its fastest version yet.
With this update, you can now:
- Upload any floor plan (PDF) from your project
- Quickly draw over it to get tributary areas and loads — all in under 2 minutes
- Download a DXF version that can be imported straight into ETABS
An incredibly efficient and essential tool to supercharge your structural scheming process.
Give it a try and experience the speed for yourself!
#StructuralEngineering #RKALC #AIinEngineering #AS3600 #AustralianEngineering #ConcreteDesign #RKALCAssistant
13/4/2025
Continuous Beams? Yeh will do: Meet PTKalc!
Say hello to the only web app that designs and analyses continuous RC and PT beams to AS 3600-2018 — now smarter and more responsive than ever.
With AI being built in (thank you all for your feedback so far), PTKalc will understand your design intent and feeds it straight into our FEA engine — like you've been using RKALC since 1984 :)
No steep learning curves, no rocket science. Just clear, fast, and standards-compliant results.
Whether you're adjusting drapes or fine-tuning section depths, PTKalc helps you hit that perfect balance — with ease.
It’s the future of PT beam design, built for Australian engineers.
Give it a go and see what smart really feels like.
#StructuralEngineering #RKALC #AIinEngineering #AS3600 #AustralianEngineering #ConcreteDesign #RKALCAssistant
6/4/2025
STM Calculator - Coupling Beams
Tall building Engineers : Meet the Coupling Beam Webapp – A First-of-Its-Kind Tool for Structural Engineers
This webapp is based on the influential SOM 2008 paper, with its core design principles adapted from ACI to align with our Australian Standards – especially the requirement to use strut-and-tie modelling for beams with aspect ratios under 3–4.
This app:
- Ensures proper compliance with AS codes
- Produces clear, structured, and “well-cooked” calculation reports
- Mohr Circles for all nodes
- Eliminates manual iterations with the help of our AI assistant – not doing the calcs for you, but running the app intelligently based on your natural language instructions
- Fully web-based – nothing to install, access it anywhere
As with many other tools in RKALC, this app reflects our belief that the future of structural design lies in smarter, accessible, standards-aligned automation – and it's already here.
Try it now. See what the future feels like.
#StructuralEngineering #RKALC #AIinEngineering #AS3600 #AustralianEngineering #ConcreteDesign #RKALCAssistant
30/3/2025
Revolutionising Structural Engineering with AI: Columns
How many years of experience would it take to estimate column loads, and sizing it up, for a 20-storey building—in under 60 seconds?
With the RKALC Assistant, put the number you want.. celebrate the power that is coming to our structural engineering universe.
This is not a concept—this is RKALC AI in action.
We’ve integrated the Assistant into 10+ structural apps so far:
- Columns- Beams- Punching- STM corbel- STM Wall- STM Coupling Beam- FEAKALC- Walls- Pad footings ...and more
Full rollout to the entire RKALC ecosystem is just weeks away.
Your next engineering teammate doesn’t sleep. It just calculates.
#StructuralEngineering #RKALC #AIinEngineering #AS3600 #AustralianEngineering #ConcreteDesign #RKALCAssistant
23/3/2025
Can you beat the RKALC Speed?
FEAKalc is the future of structrual engineering and analysis - see for yourself, use simple language instructions to model and analyse strctures in no time, does not need to learn the software, just use it with the RKALC Assistant
#StructuralEngineering #RKALC #AIinEngineering #AS3600 #AustralianEngineering #ConcreteDesign #RKALCAssistant
16/3/2025
Revolutionising Structural Engineering with AI: Meet FEAKalc!
The Tesla of Structural Engineering
The future of structural analysis and design is here—and it's becoming hands-free!
At RKALC, we're redefining the way engineers interact with Finite Element Analysis (FEA). FEAKalc is not just another software; it's an AI-driven engineering assistant that eliminates tedious manual input and transforms structural modeling into a seamless, intelligent process.
🔹 What is FEAKalc?
FEAKalc is AI-powered structural analysis platform that allows engineers to:
✅ Describe their model in natural language – “Draw a 2-bay portal frame with 6m bays and 4m high columns” – and watch it take shape instantly.
✅ Apply loads effortlessly – No more manual entry! Just say, “Apply a 50kN/m UDL to F1 and 75kN/m to F2 under LC1.”
✅ Generate complex structures in seconds – From continuous beams to Warren trusses, FEAKalc automates model generation with AI precision.
✅ Integrate FEA seamlessly – Run analysis with a simple command: “Analyse” and let the AI handle the rest.
Think of RKALC as the Tesla of structural engineering – intelligent, automated, and game-changing.
🔹 What’s Next?
We’re pushing the boundaries with:
đź“Ś AI-powered truss and frame optimisations
đź“Ś Automated load distribution for wind & seismic
đź“Ś Hands-free generative design recommendations
💡 The age of AI-driven engineering is here. Are you ready to embrace the future? Join us at RKALC and be part of this revolution! 🔥🚀
#StructuralEngineering #RKALC #AIinEngineering #AS3600 #AustralianEngineering #ConcreteDesign #RKALCAssistant
15/3/2025
Calling All Educators & Students: Get Free Access to FEAKalc!
Hey friends, if you're part of an educational institution and want to experience the future of structural analysis or simply try to verify your analysis, we’ve got great news for you! 🎓🚀
We’re offering free access to FEAKalc for students and educators from Australian universities and worldwide institutions—as long as you have a valid .edu, .ac, or .gov email domain.
đź“Ś What is FEAKalc?
FEAKalc is a structural analysis tool designed to make learning structural behavior, FEA, and engineering principles faster and more intuitive. Whether you're:
âś… Learning structural mechanics and finite element analysis (FEA)
âś… Teaching engineering concepts and need an interactive tool
âś… Researching new approaches to automated design and analysis
FEAKalc is here to simplify complex calculations and bring engineering education into the AI era!
đź’ˇ If you're interested, reach out to us at admin@rkalc.com to get set up!
Let’s build the future of structural engineering—together! 🚀
9/3/2025
AI-powered design is no longer the future—it’s happening right now with RKALC Assistant.
Real Life scenario:
🔹 We fix the verticals at 200mm thick due to layout constraints.
🔹 We ask RKALC Assistant to determine the required depth for the section—it calculates 2750mm in seconds.
🔹 We then ask, "How many levels can this support?"—it responds 17.
🔹 Finally, we ask, "What if it were a square section?"—RKALC instantly suggests 632mm.
🔹 we could have asked, what would be the MPa that works for x size?
All of this in just a few minutes—a process that would typically take far longer with traditional tools and manual iteration (by someone who got the experience)
RKALC Assistant is evolving rapidly to be your AI-powered engineering companion, streamlining the entire design and analysis process.
Mind-blowing updates are rolling out soon—stay tuned!
2/3/2025
AI-Powered RKALC Assistant for STM Wall Design
We are excited to announce the latest evolution of RKALC Assistant, now integrated into the STM Wall Design app! This is more than just another AI tool—it’s your engineering companion, designed to make Strut-and-Tie Method (STM) wall analysis faster, smarter, and more intuitive.
What’s New?
- AI-Powered Responsiveness – Instant feedback, real-time calculations, and seamless user interaction.
- Intelligent Optimisation – Ask for the optimal wall thickness, reinforcement placement, or node geometry, and RKALC Assistant will find the best solution in seconds.
- Practical Engineering Insights – Get meaningful responses, not generic AI-generated text. Whether it’s node equilibrium, reinforcement layout, or stress distribution, RKALC Assistant understands your design challenges.
- Faster Decision-Making – Need answers on-site or in a meeting? Just ask, and RKALC Assistant will give you clear, precise responses.
A Smarter Way to Design with STM
The Strut-and-Tie Method is essential for handling walls, corbels, deep beams, and D-regions, but it often requires manual iteration and detailed checks. RKALC Assistant simplifies this process:
- “What is the optimal wall thickness for this load?” – Instant answer.
- Y “Make the bottom node deeper to fit reinforcement.” – Done.
- “Is my strut angle within STM guidelines?” – Get clear feedback.
- “Can this wall take more load?” – The Assistant will optimise it for you.
Not Just AI—Your Structural Engineering Mate
RKALC Assistant is built for engineers. It understands the real-world challenges of STM design and provides actionable solutions, not just theoretical answers. Whether you’re in a high-stakes project meeting or refining designs in the office, RKALC Assistant makes sure you have the answers when you need them most.
Try RKALC Assistant Now
23/2/2025
Introducing RKALC Assistant – Your AI Mate for Smarter Column Design!
AI on its own is just a language model. But with RKALC, it transforms into your structural engineering mate, giving you the answers you need, exactly when you need them.
What is RKALC Assistant?
RKALC Assistant is an AI-powered engineering assistant built to make your column design process smoother, faster, and more efficient. Whether you're a practising engineer, consultant, or student, RKALC Assistant understands the way you work and bridges the gap between design and decision-making.
Real-World Scenarios – When You Need RKALC Assistant
- You're scheming a new building and need to explore all possible column options: square, blade, circular, varying heights… You ask your mate to do the research and report back tomorrow. RKALC Assistant does it in minutes.
- You're on a train heading to a high-stakes project meeting. The columns are super slender, and you need alternative designs—fast. RKALC Assistant delivers instant calculations
- The architect asks: "What’s the minimum circular column that works for this level?" Then follows up: "How about rectangular? What’s the thinnest blade we can use?" RKALC Assistant has the answers.
What Can RKALC Assistant Do?
- Optimise Your Column Design – Find the best size, reinforcement, and strength for maximum efficiency.
- Instant Calculations & Checks – Modify width, depth, or reinforcement and get immediate feedback.
- Analyse Utilisation & Slenderness – Quickly assess if your column is under or over-utilised.
- Interactive AI Chat – No fluff, no generic AI talk—just practical engineering answers when you need them.
Why RKALC Assistant?
- It’s not just AI—it’s your engineering mate. RKALC Assistant doesn’t just generate answers—it understands how structural engineers work
- Faster, Smarter Design Decisions. No more trial and error—get precise, optimised solutions instantly.
- No Guesswork, No Wasted Time. RKALC Assistant helps you refine your design with confidence.
- Built for Structural Engineers. It’s tailored for Australian Standards (AS3600) and real-world applications.
Try RKALC Assistant Now
RKALC isn’t just about software—it’s about empowering engineers with the best tools. Let us know what you think! 🎉
#StructuralEngineering #RKALC #AIinEngineering #AS3600 #AustralianEngineering #ConcreteDesign #RKALCAssistant
25/1/2025
PTKalc Beta Is out!
Excited to share PTKlac, a groundbreaking web application for analysing and designing continuous beams, including post-tensioned beams. 🌍
Key features:
âś… Intuitive, user-friendly interface
âś… Real-time load balancing and analysis
âś… Seamless integration with the RKALC suite (FEAKlac, Beam Designer, and more)
âś… Cloud-based storage for secure, anywhere access
âś… Designed for Australian Standard AS3600-2018, with global standards coming soon
Join over 490 active users leveraging PTKlac to streamline their structural engineering projects. Affordable, innovative, and built for engineers by engineers.
Discover how PTKlac and the RKALC suite can transform your workflow. Start today and experience the future of structural engineering. đź’ˇ
#StructuralEngineering #Innovation #BeamDesign #PTKlac #RKALC
- 7/10/2024
PTKalc
- 18/8/2024
Parametric Design? No Problems!
- 27/1/2025
Q&A
Welcome to the RKALC Engineers' Q&A Forum!
At RKALC, we believe in fostering a collaborative environment where engineers can learn from one another, share knowledge, and solve challenges together.
Our Engineers' Q&A platform provides a space where professionals in the field can ask insightful questions and share their expertise on a wide range of engineering topics.
Whether you're seeking advice on complex technical issues, discussing industry trends, or looking to troubleshoot specific challenges, this forum is here to support you.
Ask a question, offer your insights, and engage with a community of like-minded professionals committed to innovation and excellence in engineering.
Let’s build better solutions, together.
- 6/8/2024
What does AI Think of FEAKalc?
Question: do you know FEAKalc?
Answer By ChatGPT
FEAKalc is a tool within the RKALC suite designed for structural engineers to perform finite element analysis (FEA) on 2D structures. It is particularly useful for analysing the structural behaviour of elements under various loading conditions, helping engineers to understand how different parts of a structure will respond to stresses and strains.
This tool allows users to model and analyse complex structures by breaking them down into smaller, manageable elements. The results can provide insights into displacements, stresses, and forces, aiding in the design and validation of structural components.
FEAKalc is integrated into the RKALC ecosystem, which means it works alongside other calculators in the suite to provide a comprehensive set of tools for structural analysis​
Answer By Gemini
Yes, I know about FEAKalc!
FEAKalc is a web-based application developed by RKALC for structural analysis. It's designed to be user-friendly and efficient, allowing users to analyse frames, trusses, and other structures quickly and easily.
Key features of FEAKalc include:
Ease of use: It's designed to be intuitive, even for those familiar with software like SAP or ETABS
Speed: FEAKalc is known for its rapid calculation times
Accessibility: As a web-based application, it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
Comprehensive: It handles a variety of structural analysis tasks.
FEA Kalc Watch and Learn
- 4/8/2024
Calculation Reports
We are delighted to announce the rollout of detailed calculation reports across most of our web-based modules!
What’s New?
Our Column Module, STM Wall Module, Corbel Module and Coupling Beam STM Module now feature comprehensive calculation reports that adhere to the latest standards, ensuring accuracy and professional presentation . These reports include analyses, formatted tables, and insightful notes to support your engineering projects..
Key Features:
- Compliance with AS3600-2018: Our calculation sheets now follow the Australian Standard 3600-2018 guidelines, incorporating load-bearing capacity, moment-resisting capacity, and confinement provisions to ensure FRL structural integrity under the given load combination.
- User-Friendly Design: The reports are designed with readability in mind. They feature clearly formatted tables and intuitive layouts, making it easier to understand and verify the calculations.
- Enhanced Print Features: Print your reports with a professional layout, including a grid notebook background for better readability and notation.
- Interactive Elements: Detailed tables for Weak Axis and Strong Axis analyses, Applied Forces, and Global Behaviour, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of your column’s performance.
- Expert Notes: Valuable insights and notes on compliance and design considerations, ensuring you stay informed about the best practices and standards in column design.
How to Access:
Visit our
Column Module and
STM Wall Module and
Coupling Beam STM Module
and
Corbel Module
to explore the new features and generate your detailed calculation reports.
Stay tuned for more updates and enhancements as we continue to improve our tools to support your engineering needs!
- 28/7/2024
RKALC Update
A heartfelt thank you to our 400+ members in Australia and around the globe for your incredible support over the past two years.
We’re excited to announce that RKALC has now transitioned to a paid model, offering you the flexibility to subscribe to the web application(s) of your choice.
We’re currently offering a one-time subscription plan that’s valid for 30 days. You can select the apps you need and subscribe for just one month, with the option to renew if you’d like. Enjoy the convenience of no lock-in contracts or recurring payments with these plans. Plus, keep an eye out for future subscription options that will come with discounted rates.
Please note, current prices apply only for the duration of your subscription.
You can complete your purchase using your PayPal account or credit card, with all transactions securely processed through PayPal, the world’s leading payment gateway. Rest assured, we don’t store PayPal accounts or card details.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to serving you with our enhanced offerings!
Warm regards,
The RKALC Team
New members will receive a complementary 7 days welcome package with full access to the RKALC cloud-based applications.
Happy RKalculations!
- 1/4/2024
GreenKALC is Out
Our latest webapp, The GreenKALC, is out
This is a unique piece of work enables you calculate the carbon footprint of your building. There are tables breaking down the building into sections, this makes
it easy for you to fill in, and choose the right material to reduce cradle to gate emissions.
Warm regards,
The RKALC Team
- 1/3/2024
Q&A
Welcome to our Q&A Page!
This is the space for structural engineers to ask questions and answer others. We have added many questions for our members to share knowledge and trigger more
discussions in the public. We are receiving questions and thought some might be shared to spread the knowledge