In this exclusive interview, Dennis Kristensen, Managing Director at Matrix/StruSoft Structural, shares insights on the development and impact of Simplex Beam, a modern beam design tool that is intuitive and easy to use.
Designed to streamline workflows for engineers, Simplex Beam brings together concrete, steel, and timber beam design into a single, cloud-based platform.
Read more below as Dennis talks about the inspiration behind Simplex Beam, its standout features, and StruSoft’s vision for the future of the Simplex Suite.
1. Simplex Beam is all about “complex made simple”. How does the program simplify beam design workflows for users?
Simplex Beam embodies “complex made simple” by streamlining the beam design workflow for our users. It consolidates the design of concrete, steel, and timber beams into a single program, making it easy to switch between materials without investing in separate tools. We have optimised the program to be efficient, adding automation wherever possible. For example, load combinations are auto-generated, and the program provides automatic section optimisation and reinforcement design for concrete. We’ve also enhanced fire safety by incorporating Fire Analysis, offering detailed insights into load-bearing capacity under fire conditions. Moreover, Simplex Beam simplifies documentation too. With just a few clicks, you can generate comprehensive, customisable reports that present every step of the design process. That will make it easy for the user to verify calculations and communicate with stakeholders.
2. What inspired the development of Simplex Beam, and how does it stand out in the market?
Our inspiration for Simplex Beam came from our rich experience in structural design, which spans over 30 years. Our goal was to consolidate and modularize our already trusted technology to create a streamlined, superior product suite that brings together the best-loved features of WIN-Statik, Dimension, and Jigi into one modern application. However, Simplex Beam is designed not only as an all-in-one solution for analysing concrete, steel, and timber beams but also as a flexible platform that can easily adopt new codes and languages.
3. The program is based on the proven engines of FEM-Design and WIN-Statik. So, how do the FEM-Design and WIN-Statik engines enhance the speed and accuracy of Simplex Beam’s results?
The software’s engine is based on the proven engines of FEM-Design and WIN-Statik. It’s not just about speed—it’s fundamentally about trust. Trust is central to everything we provide, and by building on these established platforms, we ensure that users have confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the results from day one. Leveraging the well-known capabilities of FEM-Design and WIN-Statik means that every calculation in Simplex Beam is backed by years of tested engineering expertise. This will give our users assurance in the program’s output from the very first version.
Browse the image gallery to get a sneak peek into the program.
4. Is Simplex Beam the replacement for WIN-Statik?
No, Simplex Beam isn’t a direct replacement for WIN-Statik but rather an upgraded evolution of WIN-Statik, Dimension, and Jigi. We will continue to support these programs on the current generation of Eurocode, but Simplex represents the next step forward. It combines the strengths of all three programs into a single, advanced platform designed to align with the upcoming 2nd Generation Eurocode. You can think of Simplex as an enhanced version incorporating the trusted features of WIN-Statik, Dimension, and Jigi. It brings them into a modernised, unified application for improved performance and future adaptability to our user’s ever-growing needs.
5. What features were a must-have in Simplex Beam based on popular demand?
Well, based on popular demand, we prioritised several features in Simplex Beam. First, the concrete beam analysis capabilities from WIN-Statik Beam were essential, as users relied heavily on these functionalities. We also included automatic generation of load combinations to simplify setup, along with Fire Design analysis to assess load-bearing capacity during fire scenarios—a critical feature for enhanced safety. We added local language support to make it more accessible to users across different regions. Additionally, API integration was another must-have feature for users to optimise their workflows further.
6. What has been the response to Simplex Beam’s cloud-based nature, and how does it address data security and accessibility concerns?
The response to Simplex Beam’s cloud-based nature has been largely positive. The ease of setup has quickly won users over. Nearly 200 trial licenses have already been activated without requiring help from IT.
Cloud deployment also transforms the update process since there’s no need for new installation packages. The software remains automatically up-to-date for all users. We’ve taken rigorous steps to ensure data security, such as asking external experts to test and verify the platform’s security.
7. If you were a structural engineer starting up in this field, what would attract you to use Simplex Beam?
That’s a very good question because it takes me back to my days at the Technical University of Denmark and when I worked as a structural engineer in Copenhagen. The simplicity of Simplex Beam would’ve been a major plus for me. With just 10 clicks, I would’ve created a complete beam design and generated the necessary documentation, making it efficient to learn and use as a young engineer.
Setting up the license takes seconds, so I can dive into work without delays. Trust is also key. Given StruSoft’s reputation for reliability, it would’ve given me confidence in the accuracy of the results. Plus, having a single application that handles all beam materials—steel, timber, and concrete—would’ve streamlined my workflow significantly.
Want to learn more? Watch the overview video.
8. Looking ahead, what are StruSoft’s plans for expanding Simplex Beam’s capabilities?
We’re committed to expanding Simplex Beam’s capabilities based on direct user feedback. We use an internal portal to gather and organise all input from users, allowing us to prioritise the most requested features. We continuously enhance Simplex Beam by delivering frequent updates that incorporate the top features and improvements suggested by our customers and testers. This approach ensures that Simplex Beam evolves to meet our users’ needs.
9. How was the presentation about Simplex Beam at KCT? How did our superusers receive the news? The audience had many questions.
The presentation was well-received by our superusers. They showed a lot of enthusiasm and asked many questions. They were particularly excited about how easy it is to start with Simplex Beam. Since it’s a web-based program, there’s no need to involve IT departments in setting up a trial, which makes the process much faster. They also showed strong interest in the broader package we have planned, recognising the reliability and depth of our existing software suite. Additionally, our API expert, Marco Pellegrino, showed how our API could automate calculations for various beams in a single run. How cool is that?
10. Moreover, what are StruSoft’s plans for expanding the Simplex software family?
Simplex Beam is the first program in the Simplex structural engineering software family. We greatly appreciate our users’ feedback as we continue to develop this program. We will develop more programs in the future for the Simplex Suite that will cover the programs currently in WIN-Statik, Dimension, and Jigi. Stay tuned for more information, as we can disclose that we are already working on the next program.
