Altair S-FRAME
Structural Analysis and Design for Civil and Structural Engineers
Structural Analysis & Design for Modern Engineering Workflows
What is Altair S-FRAME?
A structural engineering platform for modeling, analysis, and design of complex structures.
Altair S-FRAME is a structural engineering solution used to model, analyze, and design structures regardless of geometric complexity, material type, loading conditions, nonlinear effects, or design-code requirements. It accelerates modeling with automation tools, supports BIM and DXF imports, and connects structural analysis with integrated steel and concrete design workflows for optimization, code compliance, and engineering reporting.
Core Features of Altair S-FRAME
Model, analyze, and design structural systems using integrated workflows built for modern AEC projects.
Comprehensive Structural Analysis
S-FRAME supports a wide range of structural analyses including linear static, vibration/RSA, time history, P-Delta, buckling, staged construction, moving loads, and nonlinear workflows, allowing engineers to analyze complex structural behavior within one integrated environment.
Efficient Model Management
Build models faster using automated generators for regular structures and trusses, along with cloning tools to replicate model components. Import BIM and DXF geometry and refine analysis accuracy using S-FRAME’s meshing workflow.
Integrated Steel & Concrete Design
Connect structural analysis directly to steel and concrete design workflows. S-FRAME and S-STEEL allow engineers to design members for strength and serviceability while generating detailed code-compliant engineering reports.
BIM/CAD Workflow Integration & Collaboration
Streamline coordination with bidirectional BIM integration for Revit and TEKLA Structures, plus advanced DXF import from AutoCAD. Use S-VIEW to review, validate, and share structural models and analysis results across teams.
Advanced Structural Analysis Capabilities
Engineering tools and technical capabilities designed for complex structural modeling, analysis, and code-compliant design.
Model any structural component with a broad FE library
Use a comprehensive set of element types, including truss, cable, beam, membrane, plate, shell, solid, and linear or nonlinear springsl, to represent real structural behavior accurately without complex workarounds.
Produce Review-Ready Engineering Reports
Generate detailed analysis reports that include results, equations, and clause references for steel and concrete design workflows, supporting internal QA processes and external engineering review.
Automate wind loading
Simplify code-based wind load setup using built-in generators aligned with methodologies such as NBCC and ASCE 7, helping engineers produce consistent and repeatable load definitions.
Extend into timber + foundations when your project needs it
Export structural models and reactions to connected tools such as S-TIMBER and S-FOUNDATION for timber structures and deep or shallow foundation analysis, maintaining a consistent engineering workflow.
S-FRAME Services
Expert S-FRAME Support from TrueInsight
Adopt Altair S-FRAME faster with expert guidance, structured onboarding, and engineering-focused support.
TrueInsight helps engineering teams deploy and use S-FRAME effectively, from selecting the right Altair licensing model to implementing modeling standards, reporting templates, and integrated workflows. Our specialists support teams through onboarding, BIM/DXF workflow integration, and ongoing technical guidance tailored to real structural engineering projects.
Customer Story
S-FRAME Users in Action
See how engineering teams use Altair S-FRAME to deliver complex structural projects.
Bush Bohlman used Altair S-FRAME in the BCIT Student Plaza project to support the design of large-scale hybrid timber structures. By combining advanced structural analysis with sustainable design strategies, the team was able to evaluate embedded carbon impacts while maintaining structural performance and engineering accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
S-FRAME is primarily positioned for AEC structural engineering analysis and design (buildings/structures, code workflows, BIM handoffs). It is finite-element based, but it’s built around structural engineering deliverables and regional code compliance workflows.
S-FRAME supports a wide range including linear static, vibration/RSA, ESFP/ELFP, time history, P-Delta, buckling, staged construction, moving load, and nonlinear workflows.
Yes, Altair describes bidirectional BIM data links with Revit and TEKLA Structures, plus DXF import for AutoCAD-based workflows.
Yes, Altair positions S-FRAME with integrated steel design via S-STEEL and integrated concrete design outputs (beams/columns/walls/continuous beams) driven by analysis results, including reporting with code references.
Altair provides a dedicated “Design Codes for Building Analysis and Design” resource covering the structural engineering suite (including S-FRAME) and references global standards such as ACI, AISC, CSA, and Eurocodes. For exact coverage by region and material, validate against that code list for your jurisdiction.
Implementation time depends on project requirements and team experience, but most engineering teams can begin productive work quickly with proper onboarding. TrueInsight supports organizations with licensing setup, modeling standards, workflow integration, and practical guidance to ensure S-FRAME is adopted efficiently within existing engineering processes.