The STRAND package is a group of programs for structural analysis that has been developed at the University of Sydney in the School of Civil and Mining Engineering. In this paper the package is described both with regard to its content and how it has been loaded on both mini and micro computer systems. A very real problem in teaching any computer based subject to large groups of students is how to arrange program libraries so that each student can access promptly any one of scores of programs and use them sensibly and profitably. An associated problem is ensuring reasonable security for the software.

Structural analysis thrives in an environment awash with computer graphics. Both screen and plotter graphics routines are needed for efficient teaching of structural analysis and the paper describes the ways chosen to implement graphics again on mini and micro computer systems.

A final factor for discussion is the high level language used in the development of the software package. Both Fortran and Basic have been used in STRAND with the former preferred on mini computers and the latter on micro computers particularly when graphics is involved.

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