MDSolids is software for topics taught in the Mechanics of

Materials course (also commonly called Strength of Materials or

Mechanics of Deformable Solids). This course is typically a part of
civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering programs and a
number of related programs. The software also features a number
of modules for topics taught in the Statics course.
MDSolids consists of routines for beams and flexural members,
torsional assemblies, axial assemblies, trusses, columns, pressure
vessels, section properties, Mohr's circle analysis (including stress
transformations and strain transformations), and many more
topics.

For over a decade, MDSolids has been meeting the needs of

students and engineering professionals. These users will tell you
that no engineering software is easier to use or more versatile.
Please have a look at the features of MDSolids to discover what
this software can do for you.
MDSolids runs in Windows 8, Windows 7, and all prior
versions of Windows. Download MDSolids and try it free-ofcharge for a 30-day evaluation period.

Style
Throughout MDSolids, the user is offered graphical or intuitive choices
for all of the required data or units. In drawing shear force and
bending moment diagrams, for example, the user can click on a
picture of an arrow pointed down and enter the magnitude of the load
to define a downward vertical point load rather than having to
remember to enter a negative number for the load.

In most cases, four common units (two US and two SI) are provided

for each variable. For example, stress can be computed in psi, ksi, kPa,
or MPa. The user is free to mix the units in any way desired. For
example, a beam cross-section could be defined in millimeters, a beam
length in inches, a moment diagram in kN-m, and the resulting
bending stress could be shown in psi.

 All of these choices for forces and units are made by simply clicking

the appropriate buttons on the displayed forms. The mechanics of

materials concepts are difficult enough without adding confusion about
software sign conventions and unit systems.

The software is written in Visual Basic to run in the Windows

environment. The software runs in Windows 8, Windows 7, and

all prior versions of Windows.

If you are interested in the field of applied mechanics, materials science and engineering,
MDSolids is what you are looking for. It is a great program that allows you to understand the
relationship between the mechanical behavior of materials and their structures.
It contains documentation, examples of problems and animated learning tools about normal
stress, direct shear stress, bearing stress, factors of safety, normal strain, axial deformation
and material properties. Every item shows graphically the problem and its solution, including
an introduction about the problem, the problem solving considerations, and the variables
required for solving it. The best thing is that you can check how the result changes every
time the variables values are modified. The documentation modules included are: stress,
strain, beam, truss, torsion, flexure, column buckling, pressure vessel, and more. Finally,
the animated learning tools show you step by step how to develop those kinds of problems.
OS supported: Windows XP and Vista. The price described is for the Student version; check
the buy URL for more details.

From MDSolids Software: MDSolids is educational software designed to assist

engineering students in the introductory mechanics of materials course. MDSolids explains
and solves a wide variety of engineering problems commonly found in the mechanics of
materials course.
MDSolids is also very useful to the practicing engineer who is needs a quick, easy-to-use
tool for basic engineering calculations.
MDSolids has routines pertaining to all of the topics taught in a typical mechanics of
materials course. Twelve modules pertaining to a wide range of common textbook problems
are presently available: basic stress and strain concepts, trusses, statically indeterminate
axial structures, torsion, determinate beams, section properties, general analysis (of axial,
torsion, and beam members), combined loadings, column buckling, pressure vessels, and
Mohr's circle transformations. Within the modules, each routine solves types of problems
typically found in all mechanics of materials textbooks. Each MDSolids routine features a

picture, sketch, or plot that graphically depicts important aspects of the problem. Sketches
are used to show the direction of internal stresses, applied loads, and reaction forces.
MDSolids is an 'electronic solutions manual,' giving not only the correct solution for a
particular problem but also providing intermediate solutions that can be used to confirm the
problem solving approach. Many of the MDSolids modules provide extra explanations to
describe in words how the calculations are performed. These explanations can help
students develop the thought processes used in solving mechanics of materials problems.
The text explanations are dynamic and context-sensitive, tailored specifically to the
particular problem in terms of the values and units entered for the problem.
MDSolids was a winner of the 1998 Premier Award for Excellence in Engineering Education
Courseware.