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Advanced structural analysis web application for a leading steel distributor

A web application that performs complex structural analysis for geotechnical and structural engineers. The solution includes deep integration with the client’s Excel spreadsheet, visualization of key parameters, comprehensive calculation record management, and more.

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Project details:

About the Client:

Our Client is a leading steel distributor based in Houston, specializing in API line pipe and steel foundation piling systems for heavy civil marine and oil & gas applications.

Location: USA

Industry: Steel distributor

Team size: 10+ specialists

Project duration: 3 months

Business сhallenge

Not all restaurant workers are native English speakers. Thus, GUI must be intuitive, informative, and simple so every restaurant worker can understand the current Alfred state or an error just at first sight on the screen.

Another challenge of this project was the requirement that the main order processing flow should work offline (without global Internet connectivity).

Additional requirements

built-in user management system
robot state and actions monitoring
sending commands to robots
POS systems integration
managing the order queue
error/edge cases handling

Our solution

Recognizing the complexity of the Client’s existing calculation model in Excel, SumatoSoft decided on an efficient and cost-conscious approach. We chose to create a web application, integrating the existing Excel model directly into the system. This move not only preserved the robust calculation logic the Client already utilized but also saved significant development time and cost.

The system performs a comprehensive analysis by:

Generating key measurements: Max Waterline, Max Shear, and Max Deflection to evaluate structural resilience against forces like torsion, compression, or tension.
Providing design recommendations: Offering guidance on factors such as Minimum Embedment, Pile Length, and Actual Deflection.
Visualizing data: Graphs for Shear, Deflection, and Moment for three structural solutions, enabling engineers to compare and select the most suitable option.

web application dashboard with analytics

Features:

User Dashboard: Stores historical calculation records for future review and analysis.
Two Server Setup:
- Web server: Handles user registration, project management, and displays results.
- Calculation server: Runs complex load and material calculations via an integrated Excel spreadsheet.

Additional functionalities:

Password recovery and account restoration.
Calculation records management with project history for future reference.
Ability to alter measurement units.
New records created when editing projects, maintaining a full calculation history for comparison.

The result is a user-friendly web app that offers engineers efficient structural analysis and actionable insights.

Business value

Before:

Manual Excel Calculations: The Client relied on a complex Excel spreadsheet for critical load analysis and material estimation, requiring engineers to manually input data and interpret results.
Limited Accessibility: Engineers needed to access and run calculations on local machines, limiting mobility and collaboration.
No Visualization Tools: Structural data (Shear, Deflection, and Moment) was not visualized, making it difficult to compare different solutions.
No Centralized Data Management: There was no system to store or track previous calculations, which meant engineers had to manage their data manually.
Time-consuming Updates: Any changes to the Excel model required manual intervention, increasing the risk of errors and inefficiencies.

After:

Automated Web-Based Calculations: The web application directly integrated the Excel logic, automating calculations and eliminating manual input, thus streamlining the entire process.
Enhanced Accessibility: Engineers can now perform structural analysis anytime, anywhere via the web app, improving collaboration and efficiency.
Graphical Visualization: The app provides clear graphs for Shear, Deflection, and Moment, allowing engineers to compare and evaluate different structural solutions more easily.
Personalized Dashboard: A centralized system now stores all project histories, enabling engineers to review, modify, and use previous calculations for future projects.
Efficient Updates and Data Integrity: The dual-server setup separates calculation processes from user management, ensuring fast, accurate results with minimal risk of error, and simplifying updates.