# Documentation¶

sectionproperties is a python package for the analysis of arbitrary cross-sections using the finite element method written by Robbie van Leeuwen. sectionproperties can be used to determine section properties to be used in structural design and visualise cross-sectional stresses resulting from combinations of applied forces and bending moments.

A list of the current features of the package and implementation goals for future releases can be found in the README file on github.

Here’s a quick example that harnesses some of the power of sectionproperties and shows its simplicity:

import sectionproperties.pre.library.steel_sections as steel_sections
from sectionproperties.analysis.section import Section

# create geometry of the cross-section
geometry = steel_sections.i_section(d=203, b=133, t_f=7.8, t_w=5.8, r=8.9, n_r=8)

# generate a finite element mesh
geometry.create_mesh(mesh_sizes=[10])

# create a Section object for analysis
section = Section(geometry)

# calculate various cross-section properties
section.calculate_geometric_properties()
section.calculate_warping_properties()

# print some of the calculated section properties
print(section.get_area())  # cross-section area
>>>3231.80
print(section.get_ic())  # second moments of area about the centroidal axis
>>>(23544664.29, 3063383.07, 0.00)
print(section.get_j())  # torsion constant
>>>62954.43
print(section.get_As())  # shear areas in the x & y directions
>>>(1842.24, 1120.19)


## Support¶

Raise an issue on the GitHub issue tracker or contact me at robbie.vanleeuwen@gmail.com. If you have a request for a feature to be added to the sectionproperties package, please don’t hesitate to get in touch