target audience

spColumn is a premier structural engineering software program developed by StructurePoint (formerly the Engineering Software Group of the Portland Cement Association). It is used worldwide for the design, analysis, and investigation of reinforced concrete sections subjected to combined axial and flexural (bending) loads.

Engineers rely on it to model typical structural framing elements like columns, building core walls, elevator shafts, bridge piers, and piles. Core Engineering Capabilities

Load Combinations: It computes section capacity under combined axial force and uniaxial or biaxial bending.

Interaction Diagrams: The software generates 2D P-M (Axial Force – Moment) interaction diagrams and full 3D failure surfaces. These diagrams quickly illustrate whether a given cross-section can safely resist specific design load combinations.

Slenderness Considerations: It automatically accounts for second-order effects (P-Δ) through the moment magnification method. This saves engineers from building time-consuming, full 3D finite element models just to check slender column behaviors.

Design vs. Investigation Modes: Engineers can use Design Mode to let the software automatically size the section or find the minimum reinforcement. Alternatively, Investigation Mode checks if an existing, user-defined cross-section and bar arrangement can safely support the given forces. Geometry and Reinforcement Flexibility

While standard tools handle basic shapes, spColumn is highly regarded for its ability to model highly complex geometries using its native spSection module: 5. spColumn Software – StructurePoint