📚 Tutorials

Projects & Overview

Organise your calculations into projects for each job

Getting Started

1

Create a new project

From the Projects page, click + New Project. Enter a project name, reference number, client name, and optional deadline. Click Create Project to confirm.

2

Add calculations to a project

Open a project card and click + Add Calculation. Choose a calculator type from the dropdown — you'll be taken directly to that calculator with the project pre-selected.

3

View project summary

Each project card shows a summary of saved calculations, pass/fail status at a glance, and last updated timestamp. Click the project name to expand the detail view.

4

Manage and archive projects

Use the ⋯ menu on any project to rename, duplicate, or delete it. Completed projects can be archived to keep your workspace tidy.

💡 Tip: Use the project reference number to match your calculations to your office document numbering system.

Open Projects

Saving & Exporting

Save calculations, generate PDF reports and Word exports

1

Save a calculation

Once you've entered all inputs and reviewed the results, click Save Calculation in the results panel. A confirmation modal will appear showing pass/fail status.

2

Generate a PDF report

After saving, click Download PDF in the confirmation modal, or find the calculation in your project and click Export → PDF. The report includes all inputs, calculation steps, code references, and a pass/fail summary.

3

Export to Word

Click Download Word in the confirmation modal to get a .docx file you can edit and incorporate into your calculation package. The Word export preserves all formatting and formula references.

⚠️ Professional use: All calculations must be checked and signed off by a suitably qualified engineer before use in any professional or construction context. BuildMetrics is a design aid, not a substitute for engineering judgement.

Beam Design

Universal beam and column sections to EC3 & EC5

EC3 / EC5

Inputs Required

• Span length and support conditions
• Applied loads: UDL and/or point loads
• Steel grade (S275, S355, etc.)
• Section size (UB, UC, PFC, etc.)
• Lateral restraint conditions

Checks Performed

• Bending moment capacity (EC3 §6.2.5)
• Shear capacity (EC3 §6.2.6)
• Lateral torsional buckling (EC3 §6.3.2)
• Web bearing & buckling
• Deflection (span/360 SLS)

1

Set span and supports

Enter the clear span in metres. Select support conditions: Simply Supported, Fixed-Fixed, Fixed-Pin, or Cantilever. The calculator automatically derives moment coefficients from the boundary conditions.

2

Enter loads

Input dead load (Gk) and imposed load (Qk) as UDL in kN/m, or switch to point loads. The calculator applies the EC0 combination factor automatically (1.35Gk + 1.5Qk for the design load).

3

Select a section

Choose a steel grade and section size from the dropdown. Use Auto-select to find the lightest adequate section. The section properties (Iy, Wpl, etc.) populate automatically from the BCSA steel tables.

4

Set LTB restraints

Specify the compression flange restraint length Lc. If the top flange is continuously restrained (e.g. by a concrete slab), set Lc = 0 to bypass the LTB check. Otherwise, enter the distance between restraint points.

5

Review results

The results panel shows utilisation ratios for each check. Values below 1.0 pass (shown in green); values at or above 1.0 fail (shown in red). Adjust the section size and re-run until all checks pass.

💡 LTB tip: For beams with the top flange embedded in a composite deck or restrained at close centres, you can often bypass LTB — confirm restraint conditions in your structural drawings before doing so.

Open Beam Design

RC Beam

Reinforced concrete beam design and shear checks to EC2

EC2

Inputs Required

• Beam dimensions (b, h, d)
• Concrete grade (C25/30 to C40/50)
• Rebar grade (B500B)
• Applied design moment MEd and shear VEd
• Cover (nominal, fire, durability)

Checks Performed

• Flexural design — tension steel As,req
• Compression steel if doubly-reinforced
• Shear design — links Asw/s
• Minimum and maximum reinforcement limits
• Deflection (span-to-effective-depth)

1

Enter section geometry

Input beam width b and overall depth h in mm. The effective depth d is calculated automatically from h minus cover, link diameter, and half the main bar diameter — or you can override it manually.

2

Set design actions

Enter the design bending moment MEd (kNm) and design shear force VEd (kN). These are the factored ULS values — if you're working from an unfactored analysis, apply 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk manually first.

3

Select materials

Choose concrete class and rebar grade. The calculator uses fck, fcd, fyk, and fyd from EC2 Table 3.1 and §3.2.7. Partial factors γc = 1.5 and γs = 1.15 are applied automatically.

4

Choose reinforcement

The calculator provides the required area As,req. Select a bar arrangement (e.g. 3H20) from the dropdown — the provided area As,prov must be ≥ As,req. Repeat for shear links (diameter and spacing).

✅ Cover guidance: For typical internal floors use 25mm nominal cover. For external elements exposed to rain use 35mm, and for XS/XD exposure classes use 45mm. Always check your project specification.

Open RC Beam

Concrete Column

Axially loaded and biaxially bent RC columns to EC2

EC2

Inputs Required

• Column dimensions (b × h) and clear height
• Concrete grade and rebar grade
• Design axial load NEd
• Design moments MEd,y and MEd,z
• Effective length factor (braced/unbraced)

Checks Performed

• Slenderness ratio λ vs λlim
• 2nd-order effects (moment magnification)
• Biaxial bending interaction (EC2 §5.8.9)
• Reinforcement limits (0.002Ac to 0.04Ac)
• Link spacing and minimum bar diameter

1

Define column geometry

Enter the column cross-section width and depth in mm, and the clear storey height in metres. Choose whether the column is braced or unbraced in each direction to set the effective length factor.

2

Input design actions

Enter NEd, MEd,y, and MEd,z as ULS design values. If bending is significant in one axis only, set the minor-axis moment to zero. The calculator will flag if biaxial interaction needs to be considered.

3

Check slenderness

The calculator determines if the column is slender (λ > λlim). If slender, 2nd-order moments are added to the applied moments using the EC2 nominal curvature method before the section capacity check.

4

Select reinforcement

Choose a bar arrangement from the dropdown. The interaction diagram is plotted for the selected section and reinforcement — the design point (NEd, MEd) must fall inside the boundary. Increase bar sizes or add bars if needed.

Open Concrete Column

Steel Column

UC and hollow sections under axial load and bending to EC3

EC3

Inputs Required

• Section size and steel grade
• Column height and effective length factors
• Design axial load NEd
• End moments My,Ed and Mz,Ed
• Major/minor axis buckling lengths

Checks Performed

• Section class classification (1–4)
• Cross-section resistance (EC3 §6.2)
• Flexural buckling (EC3 §6.3.1)
• Lateral torsional buckling (§6.3.2)
• Combined buckling interaction (§6.3.3)

1

Select section and grade

Choose a UC or CHS/RHS section and steel grade. The section class is determined automatically from the b/t and d/t ratios. Class 4 sections trigger a reduced effective area calculation.

2

Set buckling lengths

Enter the buckling length Lcr for each axis (typically 0.7L for fixed-fixed, 1.0L for pinned-pinned, 2.0L for cantilever). If the column is restrained at mid-height in one direction, use L/2 for that axis.

3

Enter design actions

Input the ULS axial load NEd and end moments. For pure axial columns (e.g. internal stanchions in a braced frame) leave moments as zero. The calculator applies minimum eccentricity automatically per EC3.

4

Check interaction

The combined interaction equations (Method 1 or Method 2) are computed. Utilisation ratios for each term are shown. If the combined ratio exceeds 1.0, try a heavier or wider-flange section.

Open Steel Column

Timber Column

Solid and glulam columns under compression to EC5

EC5

Inputs Required

• Section dimensions (b × h) and height
• Timber grade (C16, C24, GL24h, etc.)
• Service class (1, 2, or 3)
• Load duration class (permanent to short-term)
• Design axial load NEd

Checks Performed

• Compressive stress fc,0,d
• Slenderness ratio (λy and λz)
• Instability factor kc (EC5 §6.3.2)
• Combined compression + bending
• kmod and kdef modification factors

1

Select timber grade and class

Choose the strength class (e.g. C24 for solid structural timber, GL28h for glulam). Select the service class based on moisture exposure: Class 1 (dry internal), Class 2 (covered but exposed to moisture), Class 3 (external).

2

Set section and load duration

Enter section size and height. Select load duration class — this determines the kmod factor applied to strength. For a column supporting a roof, use Medium-term; for floor columns, use Long-term or Permanent.

3

Review instability check

The relative slenderness ratio λrel,c is computed and compared to 0.3. For λrel,c > 0.3, the instability factor kc reduces the compressive capacity. Slender columns benefit significantly from intermediate restraints.

Open Timber Column

RC Slab

One-way and two-way reinforced concrete slabs to EC2

EC2

Inputs Required

• Slab thickness and span(s)
• Concrete grade and bar grade
• Dead load and imposed load (kN/m²)
• Support conditions (simply-sup / continuous)
• Nominal cover (top and bottom)

Checks Performed

• Flexural reinforcement (main + distribution)
• Two-way panel bending coefficients
• Deflection — span/effective depth ratio
• Minimum reinforcement (EC2 §9.2.1)
• Crack width control

1

Choose slab type

Select one-way spanning (ly/lx > 2) or two-way spanning. For two-way slabs, enter both short and long spans. The calculator uses EC2 moment coefficients based on the aspect ratio and edge conditions.

2

Enter loads

Input the characteristic dead load (self-weight is calculated automatically from thickness and 25 kN/m³) and imposed load. The calculator applies the EC0 combination for ULS moments and SLS for deflection.

3

Check deflection

Deflection is checked using the span/effective-depth ratio method from EC2 Table 7.4N. For simply supported spans the basic ratio is 20; for flat slabs 24. The ratio is modified by reinforcement stress and compression steel.

Open RC Slab

Pad Footing

Isolated pad foundations to EC2 and EC7

EC2 / EC7

Inputs Required

• Column size and design loads (N, Mx, My)
• Footing dimensions (L × B × h)
• Concrete grade and bar grade
• Soil bearing capacity (SLS and ULS)
• Foundation depth and soil unit weight

Checks Performed

• Bearing pressure — EC7 GEO check
• Flexural reinforcement bottom mat
• Punching shear at column face and 2d
• One-way shear at critical section
• Overturning and sliding stability

1

Enter soil and load data

Input the characteristic allowable bearing pressure from your ground investigation report. Enter the SLS column load (unfactored) for the bearing check and ULS loads for structural design. Foundation self-weight is added automatically.

2

Size the footing

Start with a trial size (Area ≈ N/qallow). The bearing pressure diagram shows the stress distribution under eccentric loading. Adjust dimensions until the maximum pressure is below qallow and the resultant stays within the middle third.

3

Design the reinforcement

The critical moment for bending reinforcement is taken at the face of the column. Select bar size and spacing for the bottom mat in both directions. Check punching shear — if it fails, increase the footing depth.

⚠️ Ground investigation: Always obtain bearing capacity values from a site investigation. Do not assume soil conditions without a GI report — assumed values can lead to significant settlement or failure.

Open Pad Footing

Retaining Wall

Cantilever retaining walls — stability and structural design to EC7 & EC2

EC7 / EC2

Inputs Required

• Wall geometry (stem height, base width/thickness)
• Backfill: unit weight, angle of friction φ'
• Surcharge loading (kN/m²)
• Concrete grade and bar grade
• Passive resistance parameters

Checks Performed

• Active earth pressure (Rankine / Coulomb)
• Sliding stability (EC7 GEO)
• Overturning (EC7 EQU)
• Bearing under base
• Stem and base reinforcement design (EC2)

1

Define wall geometry

Enter the retained height (top of base to formation level), stem thickness, base length, and base thickness. The toe and heel lengths are split automatically — you can adjust the toe-to-heel ratio to optimise bearing and sliding.

2

Set backfill and surcharge

Input backfill unit weight (typically 18–20 kN/m³) and effective angle of friction φ' (typically 25–35°). Enter any surcharge on the retained side — this is treated as an equivalent surcharge pressure acting down the back of the wall.

3

Verify stability

Overturning and sliding factors of safety must both exceed 1.0 using EC7 Design Approach 1. If sliding fails, increase the base length or add a shear key beneath the base. If overturning fails, widen the heel.

4

Design stem and base reinforcement

The stem is designed as a cantilever fixed at the base. The base is designed for net upward pressure minus self-weight. Specify cover, bar diameter, and spacing — the calculator provides required areas for each zone.

Open Retaining Wall

Connection Design

Bolted and welded steel connections to EC3 Part 1-8

EC3

Connection Types

• Fin plate — beam-to-column shear
• End plate — moment and simple
• Cleat — beam-to-beam notched
• Baseplate — pinned and moment
• Splice — compression and tension

Checks Performed

• Bolt shear and bearing (EC3 Table 3.4)
• Weld throat and direction factors
• Block shear and net tension
• Plate bending under eccentric load
• Column web panel shear (moment connections)

1

Select connection type

Choose the connection type from the dropdown. Each type shows a schematic with labelled dimensions. Select the supported and supporting member sections from the steel section database.

2

Enter bolt and plate parameters

Specify bolt grade (8.8 or 10.9), diameter, and arrangement (rows × columns). Enter plate thickness and grade. Edge and end distances are validated against EC3 minimum limits automatically.

3

Input design forces

Enter VEd (shear), NEd (axial), and MEd (moment) as ULS design values. For simple shear connections MEd is typically zero. The calculator distributes forces to bolts using the instantaneous centre of rotation method.

4

Review all component checks

Each component (bolt group, welds, plate, supporting member) is listed with its utilisation. Failing components are highlighted in red. Increase bolt size, plate thickness, or weld size to bring utilisation below 1.0.

Open Connection Design

PDF Reports

Generate professional calculation reports for your project file

Feature

1

Save the calculation first

A report can only be generated for a saved calculation. Click Save Calculation in any calculator. A confirmation modal will appear showing the pass/fail summary and download options.

2

Download PDF or Word

Click Download PDF for a formatted calculation sheet, or Download Word for an editable .docx. Both formats include: project information, all input parameters, calculation steps with formula references, and a pass/fail summary table.

3

Re-download at any time

Open any project, find the saved calculation, and click Export to regenerate the report with the current inputs. Reports reflect the state of the calculation at download time.

📄 Report contents: Each report includes the Eurocode clause references used, material partial factors applied, and a declaration box for the checking engineer's signature.

Quick Tools

Fast reference calculations without saving to a project

Feature

Quick Tools are lightweight calculators for common on-the-fly checks — section properties, load conversions, moment/shear diagrams, unit weight lookup, and more. Results are not saved to projects but can be copied or exported.

Available Tools

• Section properties lookup
• Simple beam M & V diagrams
• Load path / tributary area
• Unit weight reference table
• Wind load (EN 1991-1-4)
• Snow load (EN 1991-1-3)
• Imposed load table (EN 1991-1-1)

Unit Conversions

• kN ↔ kip, lbf
• kN/m² ↔ psf, psi
• mm ↔ in, ft
• kNm ↔ kip·ft, kip·in
• MPa ↔ ksi, psi

Open Quick Tools

Units & Settings

Switch between SI and imperial, and customise app preferences

Settings

1

Toggle SI / Imperial

Each calculator has a unit toggle at the top of the input panel. Switching between SI (kN, m, mm) and Imperial (kip, ft, in) converts all current input values automatically. Output results update instantly.

2

Profile and account settings

Click your name in the top-right corner to open your profile. Here you can update your name, company name, professional title, and notification preferences. Company name and title appear on exported PDF reports.

💡 Note: BuildMetrics uses Eurocode as its primary design code. The Imperial unit mode converts loads and dimensions but all checks remain EC-based with SI partial factors.