Structural/Architectural Design Program.

[Zari]

Ok so I've been messing around with Google Sketchup a bit and I love it, however I'm looking for a program that can cacluate the weight load on say a stand that I design on it maybe even tell me the weak points in the stand. That way when I'm messing around and designing multi tank racks and such I know for sure it can support the weight and such.
If anyone can recommend me a couple programs and such I'd be grateful.

 

[crawdaddy905]

I've made a few metal stands. From 100ga to 300ga
I'm no engineer but I might be able to help you.
What size of tank do you have?
What material are you building the stand out of?

 

[yzf450motoxrider]

I’m going for civil engineering and it may be very difficult to find a program that does this for free. Structural programs can cost well over $1000. If you do find a free one it will most likely be the quality of reef central’s head loss calculator which consistently gave me incorrect head losses. Also you don’t need 15 4' by 4's to hold up a 300 gallon tank. I used 8 2by4's and could have done it with 4, 2by4's and some cross bracing. Just some food for thought.