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Aluminum Design Software for AA ADM 2020 & CSA S157

Design aluminum members, welded sections and polygonal tubes with full torsion and warping checks, then test alternative sections without rerunning the analysis, all in the same 3D model as your steel, concrete and wood.

Design codes
  • USAA ADM 2020 ASD & LRFD
  • CACSA S157
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Watch the free webinar
  • 40 years of engineeringTrusted by structural engineers since 1986
  • One model, 4 materialsAluminum, steel, concrete & wood together
  • US & Canadian codesAA ADM 2020 and CSA S157 in one program
  • Support includedUpdates and technical support with every subscription

Built for aluminum structural engineers

Aluminum Structural Design Software for Aluminum Members & Structures

GSE™ Aluminum is the aluminum design module of GSE™ General Structural Engineering, a 3D structural analysis and design program. Design aluminum members, welded sections and polygonal tubes in one environment, with classification, slenderness, torsion and warping checks, and combined compression-bending and tension-bending resistance.

GSE is multi-material, so aluminum works with steel, concrete and wood in the same model, and each material is checked to its own code at the same time. No exporting reactions between programs.

Analyze with linear, P-Delta, nonlinear, seismic and dynamic analysis, and design aluminum to AA ADM 2020 (ASD and LRFD) and CSA S157, with limit states shown in colour on the 3D model.

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GSE Aluminum modeling environment with a 3D aluminum structure model in SAFI structural design software

Aluminum member design

Aluminum Member Design & Verification to AA ADM 2020 and CSA S157

GSE™ Aluminum classifies each section and checks its resistance according to the applicable standard, directly from your analysis results. Limit states are shown in colour on the 3D model.

  • Compression
  • Tension
  • Bending
  • Shear
  • Torsion
  • Warping
  • Slenderness
  • Compression + bending
  • Tension + bending

  • Section Classification

    Aluminum sections are classified according to the standard before resistance is checked, for standard and parametric shapes, including angles and polygonal tubes.

  • Torsion & Warping Checks

    Torsion and warping are part of the aluminum member check, together with compression, tension, bending, shear and slenderness.

  • Combined Resistance

    Combined compression and bending, and combined tension and bending, are calculated from the results of a linear, P-Delta, nonlinear, seismic or dynamic analysis.

  • Design Parameters Your Way

    Unbraced lengths, buckling factors, welding and slenderness limits can be set graphically on the model or in spreadsheets.

Verified from any analysis Aluminum members are checked from the results of the analysis you run, with limit states shown in colour on the 3D model.
  • Linear
  • P-Delta
  • Nonlinear
  • Seismic
  • Dynamic
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Welded aluminum members

Welded Aluminum Member Design with End and In-Span Welds

Define where each aluminum member is welded, at its ends or along its span, over the full cross-section or only part of it, and GSE™ Aluminum takes the welds into account in the member design to AA ADM and CSA S157.

End Welds

Welds at the ends of an aluminum member. Each end weld can cover the full cross-section or only part of it.

  • Full cross-section
  • Partial cross-section

In-Span Welds

Welds along the span of an aluminum member. Each in-span weld can also cover the full cross-section or only part of it.

  • Full cross-section
  • Partial cross-section
Weld parameters set your way Welding, unbraced lengths, buckling factors and slenderness limits can be set graphically on the model or in spreadsheets, and checked from any analysis you run.
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Aluminum shapes & materials

Aluminum Sections & Grades with Angles & Polygonal Tubes

Model aluminum structures with over 30 standard and parametric shapes, including angles and polygonal tubes, and a library of standard aluminum grades, all in one environment.

  • Standard & Parametric Shapes

    Over 30 profiles, from standard shapes to parametric sections you size yourself.

  • Angles & Polygonal Tubes

    Angles and polygonal tubes are covered, with classification and torsion and warping checks.

  • Aluminum Grades Library

    A built-in library of standard aluminum grades.

  • Automated Member Generation

    Aluminum members can be generated automatically in the model.

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Redesign & results

Aluminum Redesign Without Reanalysis and Clear, Code-Based Results

Try alternative aluminum sections with the Redesign command, review every limit state on the 3D model, and send a clean executive report, all from the same GSE™ Aluminum model.

  1. Redesign Command

    Test alternative solutions for your aluminum members without rerunning the analysis.

    Redesign
    Alternative sectionsNo reanalysis

  2. Limit States on the 3D Model

    See limit states in colour directly on the 3D model, or numerically in spreadsheets and reports.

    Limit states in colour

  3. Executive Reports in Word & Excel

    Generate customizable, complete reports in Word and Excel, or an executive summary that prints the results for the critical load combination only.

    Export to
    WordExcelCritical-combination summary
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Watch the Full Aluminum Structural Design Workflow in GSE™ Aluminum

GSE Aluminum demo video preview with the SAFI 3D modeling environment

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Free demo video

A complete walkthrough of GSE™ Aluminum, from 3D modeling of aluminum members to AA ADM 2020 and CSA S157 design. Register today to receive your free demo video directly in your inbox.

In this video

  1. How aluminum members, angles and polygonal tubes are modeled
  2. How welds and design parameters are defined
  3. How members are checked to AA ADM 2020 and CSA S157, including torsion and warping

Technical specifications

GSE™ Aluminum Technical Specifications Codes, Analysis & Design Features

Everything GSE™ Aluminum supports for aluminum members, welded sections and polygonal tubes.

GSE Aluminum technical specifications: design codes, analysis, member verification, welds, shapes, redesign and reports
CategoryGSE™ Aluminum
Aluminum design codes
USAA ADM 2020 ASD & LRFDCACSA S157USAA ADM 2015
Aluminum Design Manual 2020 (ASD and LRFD) and CSA S157 Strength Design in Aluminum. AA ADM 2015 is also supported.
Analysis
  • Linear static and P-Delta
  • Nonlinear analysis
  • Seismic static analysis
  • Seismic spectral analysis
  • Dynamic analysis
Member verification
  • Section classification
  • Compression, tension, bending and shear
  • Torsion and warping
  • Slenderness
  • Combined compression and bending
  • Combined tension and bending
  • Checks from linear, P-Delta, nonlinear, seismic or dynamic results
Welded members
  • End welds
  • In-span welds
  • Full cross-section or partial welds
  • Welds taken into account in member design
Design parameters
  • Unbraced lengths
  • Buckling factors
  • Welding
  • Slenderness limits
  • Set graphically on the model or in spreadsheets
Shapes & aluminum grades
  • Over 30 standard and parametric shapes
  • Angles and polygonal tubes
  • Library of standard aluminum grades
  • Automated member generation
Redesign
  • Redesign command: test different solutions without rerunning the analysis
Results & reports
  • Limit states in colour on the 3D model
  • Numerical results in spreadsheets and reports
  • Customizable Word and Excel reports
  • Executive summary for the critical load combination
Multi-materialSame model as aluminum
SteelUSAISC 360USAISI S100CACSA S16CACSA S136
ConcreteUSACI 318CACSA A23.3
WoodUSNDSCACSA O86
+ more design codes
Steel, cold-formed steel, concrete, wood and CLT, analyzed and designed together with the aluminum structure.
View system requirements

Product information

Explore GSE™ Aluminum with Our Engineering Team

Get in touch with our specialists to see how GSE™ fits your projects, with product information, pricing and a personalized demonstration on request.

  1. Product features and licensingModules, design codes and license options for your team.
  2. Tailored to your structuresBuildings and structures in steel, wood, concrete or aluminum.
  3. Optional live demo and technical Q&ASee GSE™ on a model similar to yours and ask your questions.
Trusted engineering partner since 1986

Prefer to talk? Call toll‑free 1 800 810‑9454

Request GSE™ Product InformationMulti-material steel, wood, concrete and aluminum design software

We respect your privacy. Your information is not shared.

Multi-material design

Aluminum, Steel, Concrete & Wood in One Single Environment

With GSE™, aluminum, steel, concrete and wood live within a single model. Multi-material analysis and design run simultaneously, in one unified platform.

  • One 3D model for every material, including welded aluminum members and polygonal tubes
  • One analysis for the whole structure
  • Every member code-checked to its own material standard, simultaneously
Multi-material 3D building model analyzed and designed in a single GSE environment

  • Aluminum Design Software

    Aluminum members, welded sections and polygonal tubes, with torsion and warping checks and the Redesign command.

    AA ADM 2020CSA S157
    You are here

  • Steel Design Software

    Steel and cold-formed steel members, composite beams and built-up sections, with torsion and warping checks and member optimization.

    AISC 360CSA S16AISI S100CSA S136
    Explore steel design

  • Concrete Slab & Foundation Design

    Reinforced concrete beams, columns, shear walls, slabs and foundations, with design strips, punching shear, cracked deflections and slab-on-grade analysis.

    ACI 318CSA A23.3
    Explore concrete design

  • Wood & CLT Design Software

    CLT, mass timber and light-frame wood design, with automated parametric wall generation, custom lay-ups and orthotropic CLT behaviour.

    NDSCSA O86
    Explore wood design

How to get GSE™ Aluminum

Build Your GSE™ Package Choose Your 3D Analysis, Add Design Modules

GSE™ Aluminum is a design module of GSE™ General Structural Engineering. Choose your 3D analysis, add the Aluminum module, then add any other material or calculator you need.

  1. Analysis

    Choose your 3D analysis

    • Standard3D Structural AnalysisFinite element analysis, P-Delta and seismic analysis.
    • Advanced 3D Structural AnalysisEverything in 3D Structural Analysis, plus catenary cables, spatial objects and loads, and nonlinear springs.

  2. Design modules

    Add your design modules

    • This pageGSE™ AluminumAluminum members, welded sections and polygonal tubes.
    • GSE™ SteelSteel and cold-formed steel members, composite beams and built-up sections.
    • GSE™ ConcreteReinforced concrete beams, columns, walls, slabs and foundations.
    • GSE™ TimberWood, CLT, mass timber and light-frame structures.

  3. Calculators

    Add calculators

  • 1-year subscription
  • Software updates included
  • Technical support included
Build your package

Get started with GSE™

Ready to Design Your Next Aluminum Structure with GSE™ Software?

Design aluminum members, welded sections and polygonal tubes with steel, concrete and wood in the same model, to US and Canadian codes, all in one program.

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Prefer to talk? Call toll‑free 1 800 810‑9454