Typical Formula References

Using Reference IDs helps reduce duplicate inputs, keeps values consistent, and allows your calculations to automatically update when inputs change. This is especially important in engineering calculations, where the same value is often used in multiple places. By referencing a single value, you minimize the risk of input errors, avoid mismatched assumptions, and ensure that updates automatically track throughout the calculator. This not only saves time, but also improves accuracy, transparency, and confidence in the results. Anywhere you can type a value, you can use “Reference IDs”, also known as “Formula References” to use already inputted or calculated values. For any of the existing variables within a calculator, you can find the corresponding formula reference by opening the dropdown tab, which is located next to any calculated or inputted value- simply by clicking on the text.

All of these values are unit-aware, meaning they’ll automatically handle unit conversions (we’ll also check that units are convertible).

These often differ per calculator, but some common ones are outlined below:

Common Beam Reference IDs

Property	Description	Reference ID	Units
Total Material Length	Typically in our beam calculators, this is the plan length from start to end including any intermediate supports	L	ft
Maximum Position From Left	Maximum position from the left, adjusted for support location based on the user’s selection of Plan or Inclined view.	x_max	ft
Total Start Trib. Width	Tributary width at the start of the beam (at indicated start location)	TW_s	ft
Typical Yield Strength	Relevant for our steel beam calculators, this value is either a user input or a typical value from the preferred specifications outlined in AISC	Fy, F_y_typ	psi
Number of Plies	Relevant for our wood beam calculators, used to indicate how many plies are fastened together along the flat side	n_com	-

In these calculators, values from Project Defaults can also be used. For example, typical bearing length is entered as projectDefault("l_b", 3.5). Check out our Project Defaults Cheat Sheet for a more comprehensive list of what can be referenced in your calculators!

Common Column Reference IDs

Property	Description	Reference ID	Units
Column Height	Typically in our column calculators, this is the total height of the column from start to end including any intermediate supports	L	ft
Default Load Eccentricity for Bending about X-axis	Default value set for the axial eccentricity in bending about the strong axis.	e_x	in
Default Load Eccentricity for Bending about Y-axis	Default value set for the axial eccentricity in bending about the weak axis.	e_y	in
Total Start Trib. Width	Tributary width at the start of the column for lateral distributed loads (at indicated start location)	TW_s	ft
Typical Yield Strength	Relevant for our steel column calculators, this value is either a user input or a typical value from the preferred specifications outlined in AISC	Fy, F_y_typ	psi
Number of Plies	Relevant for our wood column calculators, used to indicate how many plies are fastened together along the flat side	n_com	-
Largest Hole Size	Relevant for our wood column calculators, used in consideration for drilled holes for holdown fasteners	d_hole	in

You can use any of these values in a formula as well. For example, to place a support in the center of your column you can simply type in “L/2” for simplicity.

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Analysis Calculators

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Common Beam Reference IDs

Common Column Reference IDs

​Common Beam Reference IDs

​Common Column Reference IDs

Common Beam Reference IDs

Common Column Reference IDs