PSL is a design software used in the field of steel construction. It has been jointly developed by RWTH and CTICM in the frame of a European research project partially funded by ECSC (European Convention for Steel and Coal).

The PSL software (Predesign Software Library) allows an automatic predesign of steel members according to Eurocode 3 (ENV 1993-1-1) and steel-concrete composite members according to Eurocode 4 (ENV 1994-1-1). From a list of steel profiles selected by the user, the automatic predesign is performed by searching the lightest steel profile that fulfils the resistance requirements for Ultimate Limit States (ULS) and deflection requirements for Serviceability Limit States (SLS).

For Steel members, PSL deals with I and H-shaped rolled profiles, European and UK ranges (IPE, HE, UB, UC.), fabricated members, hollow sections (CHS, SHS, RHS). For composite members, PSL deals with composite beams made of a rolled profile and participating slab, composite columns (partially or fully encased I-rolled profiles, hollow profiles filled with concrete).

PSL can deal with 4 load cases as a maximum: permanent loads, imposed loads, wind actions and snow loads for example. Simplified load combinations are automatically generated. For steel members, the scope is limited to axial force and mono-axial bending moment (strong axis or weak axis).

The main results are values of design criteria that have to be compared to the unity for each limit state (cross-section resistance, flexural buckling, lateral torsional buckling). A calculation sheet can be edited and printed.

Minimum configuration requirements

PSL has been developed for Windows environment (NT, XP). The required available disk space is 7 Mb.

Installation

Download the PSL software. Then you just have to extract the files from the ZIP file and run SETUP.EXE. Any previous version has to be uninstalled before.