Structural analysis of steel, concrete & timber

Diamonds is a

3D FEM software

Diamonds is BuildSoft’s flagship 3D finite element analysis (FEA) software for structural engineers, used to model, calculate, and design steel, concrete, and timber structures according to Eurocode, AISC, and ACI. It combines a short learning curve with the depth needed for advanced analysis, fire resistance, seismic design, dynamics, so both new and experienced engineers can go from a 3D model to a checked, optimized design without switching tools.

Short Learning Curve
Productivity is key
Integrated Connection Design

Design Features

Steel

Concrete

Timber

Connections

On executing the Eurocode or AISC steel resistance and buckling verifications, the appropriate cross-section classification is taken into account. Buckling lengths and lateral torsional buckling supports are specified in no time or automatically calculated. Based on these checks Diamonds performs a cross-section optimization.

Diamonds calculates the optimal reinforcement solution according to Eurocode and ACI. This serves as a starting point for a practical reinforcement definition. You can then calculate cracked deflections and crack widths for bar and plate elements or verify punching for plates and footings. For beams, complete reinforcement drawings can be generated with ConCrete Plus.

Diamonds calculates the deflection with creep effects, based on the service class. On executing the Eurocode timber verifications, buckling lengths and lateral torsional buckling supports are taken into account. These can be user-assigned or automatically calculated. Based on these unity check verifications Diamonds calculates the most optimal cross-sections.

Select the appropriate nodes in the 3D analysis model, and Diamonds will automatically create the connection model and complete it with the relevant load data in PowerConnect. Once the connection is designed and optimized, you automatically return to Diamonds with a connection design resistance and stiffness diagram.

Steel Design – Eurocode 3 + Annexes * & AISC- LRFD
Stainless Steel Design – Eurocode 3-1-4
Extendable built-in section library
Cross-section classification
Buckling length calculation
Lateral torsional buckling supports
Cross-section optimization
Reinforcement Design – Eurocode 2 + Annexes * & ACI
Optimal reinforcement quantities
Cracked deflection with creep
Crack widths
Deformation in time
Practical reinforcement sketch
Punching verification
Timber Design -Eurocode 5 + Annexes *
Service class and load duration class
Buckling length calculation
Lateral torsional buckling supports
Creep calculation
Steel Connection Design – Eurocode 3-1-8 + Annexes * & AISC- LRFD
Integrated connection design with transfer of geometry & loads
Connection library
Choice of behavior of non-linear connection
Rigidity diagram support
Connection verification

*Supported Eurocode Annexes: BE, BA, DK, ES, FR, GB, HR, LT, LU, ME, NL, NO, PL, RO, RS. Click here for a full overview of supported codes.

Input

In spite of its power and completeness, Diamonds is easy to use thanks to its intuitive user interface. The graphic input does not only mean an enormous save of time, but you also lower the risk of making mistakes, thanks to the permanent visual control over the model.

Your learning curve is short – guaranteed, in no time you are up and running with Diamonds. You will soon be assessing the impact of specific design changes on structural behaviour and use the available analysis results to optimize the economy of your designs.

Analysis

Diamonds’ analysis engine is based on the robust and powerful PARDISO sparse solver technology. Combining high speed performance with minimal memory usage, Diamonds will solve both simple 2D and complex 3D structural analysis models in no time.

Report

Thanks to the unique sub-reports concept, you can quickly compose a complete and well-structured custom report. Simply define the appropriate model orientation and visibility for each individual sub-report. Diamonds produces for you a table of contents based on the heading of one or multiple sub-reports. Reports can be printed out directly (with preview mode) or can be saved for MS Word.

You build 3D models
in seconds

Advanced analysis

Fire resistance

Crane loads/load trains

Seismics

Dynamics

Advanced thermodynamic solver
Solid & slender type of cross-sections
Fire curve and fire duration
Predefined thermal protections available
Thermodynamic calculation incl. radiation, convention & conduction
Advanced thermodynamic solver
Solid & slender type of cross-sections
Automatic detection of maximum path length
Synchronization points for different trajectories
Animated display of the progressive train load
Modal Analysis with effective modal masses
Solid & slender type of cross-sections
Seismic design spectrum and seismic combination ULS SC
Eurocode 8, NPR 9998 , ASCE 7-10 or user-defined spectrum
Calculation of reinforcement, resistance & stability incl ULS SC
Multi-modal Response Analysis
Dynamic variation of loads or acceleration of supports
Periodic and aperiodic loads
Harmonic, pulse, linear or user defined signal
Dynamic response, eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes

What customers say

“The Diamonds 3D analysis model offered all the information needed to eliminate the risk of temporary local overload and to define an optimal approach for unlocking the tilting pins.”

Tom Molkens
Senior Project Expert

Sweco Stubeco – Port House

“Thanks to Diamonds, the entire process ran very smoothly — it took only 5 days to produce the fully finished structural analysis model for a 150-metre industrial production hall.”

Walter Van Erum
Manager

V2S – Soprema

“Diamonds sets great store on usability and user-friendliness. Because it’s so easy to experiment with model variants, we can provide reliable structural advice very fast.”

Patrick Jordaens
Head of Structural Engineering

VESTAD – Killowen

“Diamonds gives us the flexibility we need to work efficiently on very diverse structural engineering projects — essential when you have such a broad portfolio.”

Alexander Willems
Managing Director

Provoost – MPET

“Because Diamonds is very intuitive to use, it is straightforward to achieve results quickly and actively use them in discussions with architects — helping realize designs that speak their visual language.”

Hanne Van Beurden
Architectural Structural Engineer

BAS – Therapy

“It is great that Diamonds enables us to complete concrete slab models with practical reinforcement information, so that cracked deformation analysis provides a realistic estimate.”

Bruno De Maegd
Project Engineer

Cobe – Duthoo

“We exclusively use BuildSoft software since day one: for its user-friendliness, very advanced concrete analysis capabilities, and excellent customer service — questions always answered quickly and friendly!”

Stijn Van Loon
Manager

Concreet – Italielei

“This project clearly illustrates how efficiently Diamonds can be used for a wide range of structural analyses. I continue to be impressed by its capability to develop practical structural analysis models.”

Koen van Nevel
Founder & Managing Partner

Cobe – Town hall

“Speed, simplicity, and completeness — those keywords jump to mind whenever I think of BuildSoft’s Diamonds. The Smart Reporter makes it easy to share all analysis results with technical inspection agencies.”

Chris Verbrugghe
Structural Engineer

Willy Naessens – WDP

“As Diamonds is so easy to use, it is the perfect tool for a global structural design of challenging buildings. Diamonds enables us to identify interesting structural concepts efficiently and communicate transparently with the architectural design team.”

Rolf Vansteenwegen
Founder & Manager

UTIL – Mundo

FAQ

What is Diamonds used for?
Diamonds is used for structural analysis and design of steel, concrete, and timber buildings and structures, from a single beam or column to full 3D models of complex buildings, including integrated connection design via PowerConnect.

What design codes does Diamonds support?
Steel design to Eurocode 3 and AISC-LRFD, concrete design to Eurocode 2 and ACI, timber design to Eurocode 5, and connection design to Eurocode 3-1-8 and AISC-LRFD, with national annexes for Belgium, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and several other countries. Full overview of supported codes.

How long does it take to learn Diamonds?
Most engineers are productive within their first few projects thanks to the graphic input and permanent visual model control, no need for a lengthy onboarding before you can start checking real designs.

How much does a Diamonds license cost?
Pricing depends on the configuration (2D, 3D, modules like fire or seismic analysis) and license type. You can buy directly through the webshop, or request a custom quote if you’re not sure what configuration you need.

Is there a free trial?
Yes, Diamonds offers a fully functional 30-day free trial, no credit card required.

Licenses and Pricing

You can buy your Diamonds license online via our webshop below.

webshop_3d_full

Diamonds 3D Full

starting at (per month)

€ 685
webshop_3d_plus

Diamonds 3D Plus

starting at (per month)

€ 463
webshop_2d_starter

Diamonds 2D Starter

starting at (per month)

€ 144

Are you looking for an other configuration or you are not sure about what you need? Fill out our quote form to get a custom Diamonds quote and we will get back to you soon.

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Diamonds Brochure

Get your free 30-day trial today!

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