FaxinaX
Connecting to solver
FINITE ELEMENT WORKSPACE · v1.0

Build. Analyze. Understand.

Fast web-based structural design for small and medium steel structures.

Model a planar frame, inspect member actions and displacement, then run a steel resistance check against your analysis results.

MODEL CANVAS0 nodes · 0 members
DISPLAYED RESULTSRun analysis to display results
Move over the canvas to read coordinates
Choose Member, then click its start and end points. Nodes are created automatically.
ORIGIN(0, 0)
MemberFixedPinnedRollerLoadN · + tension / − compressionVMDeformed shapePositiveNegative
ANALYSIS OUTPUT

Results overview

Analysis options ⌄
Select one or more entries (Ctrl-click or ⌘-click for multiple). Then run the analysis.
RESPONSE DIAGRAMChoose a member and response to display
Run the analysis to view response diagrams.
PositiveNegative
NODAL DISPLACEMENTSTranslation in mm · rotation in rad
Nodeux (mm)uy (mm)θz (rad)
No analysis results
SUPPORT REACTIONSForces in kN · moments in kNm
NodeFx (kN)Fy (kN)Mz (kNm)
No analysis results
MODEL DATA

Load table

Resize from the lower-right corner. Enter member IDs such as 1to4 or 1, 3, 5 to filter; grouped-load edits apply only to the members shown.

Load caseLoad typeApplied toDirectionPositionLoad value

Self-weight is calculated from member density and area. You can edit its value here; editing converts that case to a manual permanent action. Matching loads are grouped, and edits apply to every member in the group.

QUICK ENTRY

Add a load
SAVED MODEL

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GUIDE

Using FaxinaX

From the first model to the finished report. The same guide is on the FaxinaX website.

1 Start a model

Every model begins in one of three ways. Pick what suits you, then continue with the same steps.

  • Sample model. Choose an example in Sample model and press Load sample. The fastest way to see how everything works.
  • Saved model. Models you saved earlier are listed in Saved model. Press Load saved. Saved models belong to the browser and site address that saved them.
  • AutoCAD DXF. In Import from AutoCAD choose the DXF file, the drawing units and the layer, then press Import model. Only LINE and straight 2D polyline centre-lines are imported; supports, loads and sections are assigned in FaxinaX afterwards.

2 Build the model

  1. Element properties. Choose the material and section type (steel database section, concrete rectangle, or manual properties) and the steel grade. Properties can be set per member, and each member can be a frame or an axial-only truss element.
  2. Draw tools. Draw members on the canvas with snapping; nodes are created automatically. Existing nodes that lie on a member connect in the analysis. Add supports (fixed, pinned, roller), end releases, rotated restraints and spring supports.
  3. Check the geometry. Use Node table and Member table to edit coordinates and connectivity, and Fit view, zoom and pan to inspect the drawing. Undo and Redo are available at any time.

Units are SI: metres, kN, kNm. Section areas are entered in m², inertia in m⁴, density in kg/m³.

3 Define loads

  1. Load cases. Create named load cases under Define load case and choose the type (for example permanent, variable or self-weight). A self-weight case generates w = ρ × A × g for every member and shows the numerical values, so you can check them.
  2. Add loads. Under Add load enter nodal forces and moments, uniform member loads or point member loads. Member ranges can be entered with short text such as 1to4.
  3. Review in the load table. Load table lists every load by case. Edit values, targets or direction there, or press Remove to delete a load group.
  4. Combinations. Under Define load combinations build combinations by hand or let FaxinaX generate ULS persistent/transient combinations.

4 Run the analysis

  1. Choose the Analysis type: static (displacements, reactions, internal forces), modal (natural frequencies and mode shapes) or response spectrum (global X, SRSS or CQC).
  2. Choose the Display result: a single load case or a combination.
  3. Press Run analysis.
  4. Read the Result check. A message appears after every run, even when it says 0 errors and 0 warnings. It reports a mechanism and its cause, huge displacements, isolated nodes or parts, deflection above span/50, suspicious units, the automatic self-weight notice, and whether the support reactions equal the applied loads (ΣFx, ΣFy, ΣM). Fix errors before trusting the numbers.

5 Read the results

  • Diagrams. N, V and M draw axial force, shear and bending moment with signed values. Deformed shows the deflected shape; the Force and Shape sliders scale the drawing.
  • Normalize. When the real values are tiny, Normalize scales the deformed shape and diagrams so they stay visible.
  • Contours. The Contour list colours members by displacement or force. Values prints numbers on the model.
  • Numbers. Reactions shows support reactions, Member max/min the extreme values per member, and the node and member tables list displacements and actions.
  • Switch between cases and combinations in Display result at any time; cached results are kept until the model changes.

6 Check steel members (Eurocode 3)

  1. Run a static analysis first, then open the Steel check tab.
  2. Press Define inputs and enter the member numbers (for example 1to3, 19). Choose the checks, buckling lengths, and the lateral-torsional buckling input: define brace points, critical length or Mcr.
  3. With brace points, FaxinaX reads the bending-moment diagram of each braced segment and selects the loading case and equivalent moment factor for you. The selection is shown so you can review it.
  4. Set the deflection limit. It is measured relative to the line between the two member ends.
  5. Assign the ULS and SLS combinations to the members and run the check. Review the interaction factors and press Utilization to colour the model by maximum utilization ratio.

7 Reports, export and saving

  • FEA results PDF. Press Export FEA results to PDF above the canvas, choose the sections and results, and enter the author name. The report contains assumptions, loads, results, diagrams, contours and a section that lists the model check errors, warnings and equilibrium check.
  • Steel design PDF. After a design check, use the steel report button in the Steel check tab.
  • Exchange files. Use Export in the top bar for Robot Structural Analysis RTD, SAP2000 S2K or AutoCAD DXF.
  • Save. Press Save model (or Ctrl+S) to keep the model in this browser.

8 Tips and good practice

  • Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Y undo and redo, Ctrl+S saves, Esc clears the selection or cancels an unfinished drawing action.
  • If the result check reports a mechanism, read the cause it gives: add supports, remove releases, or reconnect isolated parts.
  • Always compare a few results with a hand calculation. FaxinaX is an engineering aid; a qualified engineer must review the model and the results before they are used in design or construction.
  • Use Send feedback to tell the developer about problems, ideas and your experience.
FEEDBACK

Tell the developer

Share your experience, report a problem or suggest an improvement. Type the email address where you would like a reply.

Your message and email address are sent to the developer (phealythourk5550@gmail.com) by email.