Top Python Libraries That Will Help You As A Structural Engineering Student

What is structural engineering

Structural engineering is a field that studies the behaviour of structural systems. These structural systems include beams, shells columns, concrete, steel etc. Training in structural engineering requires you to go through rigorous numerical and analytical calculations. These calculations include an analysis of structural systems to determine internal stresses and deformation of such structures when the load is applied to them. And the other part of the calculation is on structural design to check that a structure has the potential to resistany induced stress and deformation due to the applied load.
To accomplish design objectives and guarantee the safety and comfort of users or occupants, structural engineers evaluate, develop, plan, and research structural components and structural systems. They may also take aesthetic and social considerations into account. Their work primarily takes into account safety, technical, economic, and environmental concerns.
Structural engineering is a subfield in civil engineering

What is python?

Python is an object oriented programming language that is high-level and easy to understand for beginners.
Guido Rossum invented Python in 1989 as an object-oriented programming language. For quickly prototyping complex applications, it is perfectly suited. It contains interfaces for numerous OS system calls and libraries and may be extended with C or C++. NASA, Google, YouTube, BitTorrent, and other significant corporations all employ the Python programming language.
I know that many people have asked the question "Is python useful for structural engineers, especially students"? My answer is absolutely yes since python syntax is easier to learn, you can write a script that will help you validate your structural analysis and design result much faster, also enabling you to understand and appreciate the computational method and how structural engineering software work.
There are the are some of the python libraries used in structural engineering calculation.

Openseepy

The earthquake engineering community frequently uses OpenSees, an open source finite element software framework, to simulate the seismic response of structural and geotechnical systems. The framework enables developers to create both serial and parallel finite element computer applications as interpreters and users to do finite element analysis using a scripting language. Tcl has been the main programming language used by OpenSees' model construction and analysis modules for the past 15 years.
The OpenSees interpreter interface was refactored to enable multi-interpreter functionality so that users may choose from a variety of scripting languages, primarily Python. Through the use of an abstract interface for interpreter calls and concrete implementations for various scripting languages, this refactoring—which led to the introduction of OpenSeesPy as a Python module—was carried out. This method enables users to create applications that make use of the distinctive traits of a number of scripting languages as well as cutting-edge finite element analysis models and techniques.

Planesection

Built on OpenSeesPy, PlaneSections is a compact finite element beam bending library. PlaneSections' goal is to simplify beam analyses, which can be used to quickly document structural calculations. Since the model is based on OpenSees, the structural results are trustworthy, and there is plenty of room to build more intricate models.
The four main modules of the planesection library are as follows:

The beam and its components are built using the Builder module. The core class of the module and the one with which the user interacts the most is the beam.

The beam is analyzed with OpenSeesPy in the Analysis module, and the outcomes are documented.

The beam model is plotted using the Diagram module.

The responses of the beam from the analysis, such as force diagrams and deflections, are plotted using the Postprocess module.

Anastruct

A Python module called anastruct is used to implement the 2D Finite Element technique for structures. It enables you to analyze frames and trusses structurally. It aids in the computation of structural element stresses and displacements.

Conclusion

With the power of python and its object-oriented capabilities, you can analyse many types of structural systems with different geometrical and material properties. You can also extend the capabilities and functionalities of some of these libraries, customizing them to your taste and even building a startup in the future. But don't forget that you must understand the foundation of computer programming first before you can easily use python and many of its libraries.