SPACE GASS
Advanced 3D structural analysis and design software with cloud licensing
About SPACE GASS
SPACE GASS is a 3D structural analysis and design program for frames, trusses, plates, cables, towers, tanks and bridges, developed in Australia since 1983 and now part of the StruSoft Group. It runs linear, non-linear, buckling and dynamic analysis on a 64-bit parallel sparse matrix solver, with steel and reinforced concrete design add-ons for Australian and international codes. It is a Windows desktop application sold by annual or monthly subscription with cloud licensing, and Pro tier and above include a REST API with Python and C# SDKs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Mature analysis engine developed continuously since 1983 and used by consultancies such as AECOM, WSP, Jacobs, GHD and Beca
- Published, transparent tier pricing with annual or monthly subscription options
- Broad analysis range in one model: non-linear, buckling, spectral, transient and harmonic response
- Strong Australian and New Zealand code coverage (AS4100, AS3600, AS/NZS1170.2, NZS3404) alongside AISC and Eurocode
- REST API with Python and C# SDKs included from the Pro tier for automation and parametric studies
- Free 30-day trial and free full-featured student licenses
Cons
- Windows desktop software; cloud covers licensing only, not browser-based modelling
- Concrete design covers only AS3600 and IS456 in the add-on modules
- Steel and concrete design modules cost extra below the Premier tier
- Prices are listed in AUD excluding GST, and monthly plans below Premier need a 3-month minimum
- Little independent user-review coverage outside Australian and New Zealand engineering forums
Key Features
Linear and Non-Linear Analysis
Static analysis of frames, trusses and grillages with small, finite and large displacement theories, tension/compression-only members and automatic stabilization of unrestrained nodes.
Dynamic and Buckling Analysis
Buckling, dynamic frequency, spectral response, transient (time history) and harmonic response analysis for earthquake, vibration and stability checks.
Plate and Shell Meshing
Thick (Mindlin) or thin (Kirchhoff) plate elements with openings, hard lines, sub-panels, mesh refinement and conversion of line members into plates for slabs, walls and connections.
Steel Design Module
Steel member design to AS4100, AS/NZS4600, NZS3404, AISC 360 LRFD/ASD, Eurocode 3, BS5950, HK CP2011 and IS800, plus AS4100 connection design and a portal frame builder.
Reinforced Concrete Design
Beam, column and slab design to AS3600 or IS456 as an add-on module integrated into the same model database.
Load Generation Tools
Node, member, thermal, prestress, area and moving loads, automatic self-weight, pattern loading, load combinations, equivalent static seismic loads and an integrated CHECKWIND wind load module.
REST API and SDKs
Generate models, run asynchronous analysis and extract filtered results from code through a REST API with an OpenAPI spec and Python and C# SDKs, included from the Pro tier.
BIM and CAD Links
Links with Autodesk Revit, Tekla, ProSteel, MicroStation and IDEA StatiCa, plus import/export with MS Excel and MS Access and script/macro files.
Fast Parallel Solver
64-bit sparse matrix solver with multi-core parallel processing, batch processing and a deflection optimizer for large models.
Cloud Licensing
Cloud-based licensing for standalone users or teams so engineers can run the desktop software from any machine.
Pricing
- SPACE GASS + maintenance
- Linear static analysis
- Non-linear static analysis
- Moving loads
- Full graphics
- Datasheets and reporting
- Importing and exporting
- Everything in Basic
- Plates
- Master-slave constraints
- Buckling analysis
- Earthquake equivalent static
- API module included
- Everything in Pro
- Cables
- Dynamic frequency
- Spectral response
- Transient analysis
- Harmonic analysis
- API module included
- Everything in Advanced
- Concrete design add-on
- Steel design add-on
- API module included
Best For
Steel Portal Frames and Warehouses
Generate portal frames with the builder, apply AS/NZS1170.2 wind loads via CHECKWIND, and check members and connections to AS4100.
Multi-Storey Building Analysis
Use floor and diaphragm generation, storey shear and drift calculations, and spectral response analysis for seismic design.
Bridges, Towers and Cable Structures
Model moving vehicle loads, catenary cables and plate decks with non-linear and dynamic analysis.
Automated Design Studies
Script hundreds of model variations through the REST API, run analysis asynchronously and pull filtered results into Excel or JSON.
Engineering Education
Students and university staff get a free full-featured annual license for coursework and projects.
