Change Material
Switch materials within a structural calculation
Swap timber for steel, concrete, or cold-formed steel within any calculation. Same inputs, same design criteria - different material, in one click.
The problem
Checking an alternate material means rebuilding the calculation
When a client asks whether the same beam works in steel instead of timber, most engineers open a new calculation and re-enter everything: span, loads, design criteria, all of it. The original calculation becomes dead weight. That rebuild takes time that can't be charged to the project.
How it works
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Switch material without losing your inputs
Select a different material from within your current calculation. Calcs.com applies the properties for the new section and reruns the checks. Spans, loads, and design criteria carry across - no re-entry required.
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Compare options from the same starting point
Run the same design in timber, steel, and cold-formed steel without duplicating your setup. Each option uses the same project inputs, so the basis of design stays consistent across comparisons.
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Value engineering in one step
When you need to offer a client the most cost-effective solution, switching material in Calcs.com is the fastest way to see what works. No rebuilding from scratch, no manual data transfer between calculations.
Frequently asked questions
Which materials can I switch between?▾
Do my loads and spans carry over when I change material?▾
Can I run the same design in multiple materials at once?▾
Works with these calculators
Related features
Material Database
Built-in material and section database
Steel, timber, and concrete material properties are built into Calcs.com and linked to the applicable standards. No manual lookup required.
Learn more →Preferred Sections
Organisation-preferred sections for steel and timber design
Save your go-to sections and manufacturers so they appear first, every time. Preferred Sections keeps your team selecting from the right list - and Autosize picks the optimal section from that list in one click.
Learn more →Make decisions you can defend at review time
Share a calculation with the basis of design attached - inputs, formulas, and code references alongside the result.