A simple structural analysis tool in Python.
Linear statics and dynamics can be analyzed in structures consisting of truss and beam members, both in two dimensions and in three dimensions.
The formulations are derived in the Finite element modeling with shells and beams book.
- 01/22/2025: Implement initial functionality.
- Two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures made up of truss (axial) members and beams (even in combination) can be handled.
- Only elastic models can be solved.
- Only doubly symmetric cross sections can be handled in three dimensions. Hence there is no coupling between the bending actions in the two orthogonal planes.
- Warping of the cross sections is not modelled, hence only free torsion effects are included.
- Member loading is not considered. All member loading needs to be converted to nodal forces.
- Internal hinges can be modelled with linked joints. No member end releases are implemented.
- Degrees of freedom are only along the cartesian axes. Skew supports are not included.
- Offsets are currently not implemented.
- NumPy
- SciPy
- Matplotlib
These requirements can be easily satisfied by running the examples in Spyder 6 (IDE).
This package is not distributed through the official Python channels. It needs to be downloaded from GitHub as a zip file, and expanded in some convenient location.
The easiest way to run a pystran example is to download and install Spyder 6. It is a complete IDE for Python, including a very capable debugger. Just open an example and click the run button.
It is also possible to run using a plain Python. The user then needs to install the requirements, and in the pystran folder rather an example for instance as
py examples/linked_cantilevers_prescribed.py
Step-by-step tutorials are available in the tutorials folder.
Run tutorials for example as
py tutorials/three_bars.py
There are many examples in the examples folder. They may not be heavily documented,
but they do show many recipes for solving truss and beam structures.