# FRAME 2D express

> Simplified 2D Frame Analysis for Rapid Structural Assessment

Canonical: https://www.ramcadds.com/products/frame-2d-express
Source: RAM CADDSYS product catalog — https://www.ramcadds.com/products
Last verified: 2026-07-18
Categories: building-components

FRAME 2D express is a simplified version of FRAME 2D for quick 2D frame analysis and member verification. It provides rapid structural assessment of plane frames with streamlined input and immediate results, ideal for preliminary design, quick checks, and everyday frame analysis tasks.

FRAME 2D express is a 2D frame analysis and Eurocode member-verification program from RUNET Software (RUNET Norway AS), supplied in India by RAM CADDSYS. It runs static and dynamic analysis of plane frames — internal forces, displacements, eigenfrequencies and mode shapes — then verifies concrete (EC2), steel (EC3) and timber (EC5) members from the same results. A wizard with 21 ready-made frame types speeds up modelling.

FRAME 2D express by Runet Software is a streamlined 2D frame analysis tool designed for speed and simplicity. It provides the essential analysis capabilities of FRAME 2D in a simplified interface optimized for quick structural checks. Engineers can define frame geometry, apply loads, and obtain internal forces, deformations, and member utilization ratios within minutes—ideal for preliminary design, independent checking, and rapid parametric studies.

## Key points

- FRAME 2D express performs both static and dynamic 2D frame analysis, computing internal forces, deformations, eigenfrequencies and mode shapes in one solver.
- Eurocode member verification is built in — reinforced concrete to EC2, steel to EC3 and timber to EC5 — checked directly from the analysis results without switching programs.
- A structure prototype wizard with 21 ready-made frame types gets common portal, multi-span and pitched-roof frames modeled in minutes.
- An integrated steel-section database lists every nominal profile's properties, removing manual section data entry.
- Load combinations follow Eurocode 1 with user-editable partial factors, and design reports with Eurocode clause references preview, print and export to Word.
- RAM CADDSYS supplies FRAME 2D express in India, including licensing, training and technical support.
- Combines 2D frame analysis and Eurocode member design in one express tool — model the frame, run the analysis, and verify members to EC2/EC3/EC5 without leaving the program.
- Static and dynamic analysis in a single solver: internal forces, displacements, plus eigenfrequencies and mode shapes for plane frames.
- 21 ready-made frame prototypes via a structure wizard so common portal, multi-span and pitched-roof frames are set up in minutes.
- Multi-material in one model — reinforced concrete (EC2), steel (EC3) and timber (EC5) members verified from the same analysis run.
- Built-in steel section database lists every nominal profile with its properties, removing manual section data entry.
- Automatic Eurocode 1 load combinations with user-editable partial factors (defaults Cg=1.35, Cq=1.50) for fast, traceable load setup.
- Complete design report with Eurocode clause references, previewable, printable and exportable to Word for documentation.
- Part of the affordable RUNET 'express' Eurocode family — a low-cost route to code-compliant frame design for everyday and educational use.

## Why engineers pick it

- **Rapid Analysis** — Streamlined interface for quick frame setup and analysis—define geometry, apply loads, and get results in minutes rather than hours.
- **Integrated Member Checks** — Built-in member verification per Eurocode standards directly from analysis results, providing utilization ratios and pass/fail status without switching to separate design software.
- **Visual Results** — Clear graphical output with internal force diagrams, deformation plots, and reaction summaries for immediate engineering assessment and communication.
- **Professional Output** — Concise calculation reports with Eurocode clause references, previewable, printable and exportable to Word for preliminary design documentation and engineering review.

## Capabilities

- **2D static and dynamic frame analysis** — Solves plane (2D) frame structures for internal forces and deformations, producing diagrams for displacements, bending moment, shear and axial force. Dynamic analysis computes eigenfrequencies and mode shapes.
- **Structure prototype wizard (21 frame types)** — Build models fast from 21 predefined frame prototypes, or define them manually with nodal coordinates and element connectivity.
- **Eurocode 1 loads and combinations** — Apply nodal forces and moments plus element distributed loads (uniform, triangular, symmetric triangular and symmetric parabolic), perpendicular, vertical or horizontal, with optional self-weight. Load combinations follow Eurocode 1 with user-defined coefficients.
- **Eurocode member verification (EC2 / EC3 / EC5)** — Concrete members are verified to EC2 §6 (axial, shear, bending at ULS) and EC2 §5.8.3 for column second-order effects; steel to EC3 §6.2 and §6.3 (flexural and lateral-torsional buckling); timber to EC5 §6 and §6.3 stability — checked at member ends and mid-span.
- **Built-in steel section library** — Includes lists of every available nominal steel profile with its section properties.
- **Calculation reports and graphical output** — Generates a complete design report with Eurocode section references, plus on-screen graphical diagrams and mode-shape plots. Reports preview, print and export to Word.
- **Quick Frame Definition** — Rapid frame geometry input with predefined templates for common frame types—single span, multi-span, cantilever, and portal frame configurations.
- **Load Application** — Point loads, distributed loads, and load combinations applied through a simplified interface with automatic self-weight calculation and Eurocode load combination generation.
- **Internal Force Results** — Bending moment, shear force, and axial force diagrams with envelope results across all load combinations for immediate identification of design-critical sections.
- **Member Verification** — Quick member checks for steel, concrete, and timber sections per Eurocode standards with utilization ratios and code compliance status.
- **Deflection Assessment** — Serviceability deflection checks against code limits with clear visual output showing deformed shape and maximum displacement locations.

## Applications

- **Preliminary frame design and sizing** — Quickly model a portal, multi-span or pitched-roof frame from a prototype, apply loads and obtain internal forces and member utilizations.
- **Code-compliant member checks to Eurocode** — Verify steel (EC3), reinforced concrete (EC2) and timber (EC5) members of a 2D frame to ultimate-limit-state and stability/buckling provisions.
- **Independent / check analysis** — Provide a fast second-opinion analysis and member verification of a plane frame designed in other software, useful for reviewers and QA checking.
- **Steel portal and pitched-roof frames** — Analyse and design single- and multi-bay steel portal frames using the prototype wizard and the built-in steel profile database.
- **Mixed-material frames** — Handle frames combining concrete, steel and timber members in a single model, with each member verified to its respective Eurocode.
- **Teaching and learning structural analysis** — A free Lite version makes it suitable for students and educators learning 2D frame statics, dynamics and Eurocode design.

## In depth

### Why use a dedicated express tool instead of a full frame-design package for routine 2D frame checks?

Because most day-to-day frame work — sizing a portal frame, verifying a multi-span beam-column system, running an independent check — is routine Eurocode verification, and FRAME 2D express is built to deliver that result in minutes rather than requiring the setup overhead of a full analysis suite.

Engineers doing preliminary design or an independent check need a fast route from geometry and loads to a pass/fail verdict on member utilization, not a lengthy modeling exercise. FRAME 2D express keeps that route short: EC2, EC3 and EC5 member checks run directly against the same analysis results used for the frame's internal forces, so there is no exporting to separate design software and no manual re-entry of steel section properties from the built-in profile database.

The same workflow covers frames that combine concrete, steel and timber members in a single model, because each member is verified to its own Eurocode from within the one model. That combination of speed and code coverage also makes FRAME 2D express suited to teaching, where a free Lite version lets students work through 2D frame statics, dynamics and Eurocode design without a full commercial license.

### How does a model move from geometry to a verified Eurocode design in FRAME 2D express?

A frame is built either from one of 21 ready-made prototypes or from manually entered nodal coordinates and element connectivity, then loaded, analyzed and checked against EC2/EC3/EC5 without switching programs.

The structure prototype wizard offers 21 predefined frame types — single-span, multi-span, cantilever and portal configurations among them — so geometry, supports and member properties are set parametrically rather than built node by node; frames outside the prototypes are defined manually with nodal coordinates and element connectivity. Loads are applied as nodal forces and moments or as element distributed loads (uniform, triangular, symmetric triangular and symmetric parabolic) applied perpendicular, vertical or horizontal, with optional self-weight, and Eurocode 1 combinations are generated automatically using editable partial factors (default Cg=1.35, Cq=1.50).

Running the model produces static internal-force and displacement diagrams alongside dynamic eigenfrequencies and mode shapes, then verifies each member against its material's Eurocode — concrete to EC2 §6 and §5.8.3 for column second-order effects, steel to EC3 §6.2 and §6.3 for flexural and lateral-torsional buckling, and timber to EC5 §6 and §6.3 for stability — at member ends and mid-span. The result is a complete calculation report with Eurocode clause references that can be previewed, printed or exported to Word for project documentation.

## Design codes

- **EN (Eurocode, with National Annex adaptations)** — EN 1991 (Eurocode 1) — actions and load combinations / EN 1992 (Eurocode 2) — reinforced concrete member design / EN 1993 (Eurocode 3) — structural steel member design / EN 1995 (Eurocode 5) — timber member design

## Questions

### What is FRAME2Dexpress?

FRAME2Dexpress is a RUNET Software program for static and dynamic analysis of 2-dimensional (plane) frame structures, with built-in member design and verification of concrete, steel and timber members according to the Eurocodes.

### Who develops FRAME2Dexpress?

It is developed by RUNET Software (RUNET Norway AS), a Norwegian firm based in Tennfjord that specialises in structural-engineering software designed around the Eurocodes with National Annex adaptations.

### Does it do dynamic analysis as well as static?

Yes. In addition to static analysis (displacements, bending moment, shear and axial force diagrams), it performs dynamic analysis, computing the eigenfrequencies and mode shapes of the frame.

### Which Eurocodes does it design members to?

Load combinations follow Eurocode 1. Members are designed/verified to Eurocode 2 (reinforced concrete), Eurocode 3 (steel) and Eurocode 5 (timber). The vendor cites specific clauses: EC2 §6 and §5.8.3 (column second-order), EC3 §6.2 and §6.3 (buckling/lateral-torsional buckling), and EC5 §6 and §6.3 (stability).

### What materials can I design?

Reinforced concrete, structural steel and timber members — and you can combine all three in a single frame model, each verified to its respective Eurocode.

### How do I build a model quickly?

Use the structure prototype wizard, which provides 21 ready-made frame types, or define the structure manually by entering nodal coordinates and element connectivity. Loads and member properties are parametric.

### What loads and load combinations are supported?

Nodal forces and moments, and element distributed loads (uniform, triangular, symmetric triangular and symmetric parabolic) applied perpendicular, vertical or horizontal, with optional self-weight. Load combinations are generated per Eurocode 1 with user-editable coefficients (default Cg=1.35, Cq=1.50 for static).

### Does it include steel section properties?

Yes. It includes lists of every available nominal steel profile with its section properties, so you can assign and verify steel members without external section tables.

### What output and reports does it produce?

Graphical diagrams for the analysis results and mode shapes, plus a complete design report with Eurocode section references that you can preview, print and export to Word.

### How is FRAME2Dexpress different from FRAME2Dexpress + EC Design?

The base FRAME2Dexpress focuses on 2D static and dynamic frame analysis, while the FRAME2Dexpress + EC Design version adds the full Eurocode member design and verification for concrete, steel and timber. Confirm with RAM CADDSYS which edition matches your needs.

### Is there a free version for learning?

Yes. RUNET offers a free Lite version of FRAME2Dexpress intended for educational and evaluation use.

### What platform does it run on, and what units does it use?

It is a Windows desktop application and works in metric units.

### Is FRAME2Dexpress available in India through RAM CADDSYS?

Yes. RAM CADDSYS (Chennai, India) distributes RUNET Software products, including FRAME2Dexpress, providing licensing, training and technical support for structural-engineering firms in India and the region. Contact RAM CADDSYS for current pricing and the right edition.

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