Cascade Software Limited is a small company writing software principally in the fields of civil and structural engineering with particular emphasis on abnormal load operations. It also offers bespoke data-based and other application development services. Established in 1990 to market simple user-friendly engineering software developed for use within the engineering consultancy practice of Crouch Waterfall & Partners, Cascade retains an active association with this practice today.

The early *** BEAM *** and *** TIMBEAM *** programs provided simple structural steel and timber beam design tools to engineers designing and extending domestic and smaller commercial and industrial buildings. Very many satisfied engineers continue to use these invaluable DOS programs today. Following the success of these came *** ANALYSE ***, a simple two dimensional frame, truss and grillage analysis program providing further support for small building and foundation design, particular roofs and raft foundations.

In 1992 Cascade marketed *** ARCH ***, a unique mechanism method masonry arch bridge analysis program, which achieved considerable success with consultants and local authorities in the highway bridge assessment field. Upgrades of *** ANALYSE *** were also oriented towards bridge analysis, integrating with *** ARCH *** and incorporating highway loadings and Wood/Armer reinforcement analysis. *** ARCH *** has now been upgraded to the 2001 DfT standards and additionally provides for Network Rail railway loadings and MEXE.

1994 saw the start of considerable involvement in the development of software for the management and checking of bridges for abnormal load notifications (AIL's), commissioned by Kent County Council. *** ABLOADS *** first went operational in 1997, managing Kent's system. *** ABLOADS QuickCheck ***, which provides just bridge checking without the communications, management and mapping elements, came early in 2000, and *** AbHaulier ***, designed to provide a simple and uniform notification tool for abnormal load hauliers and plant operators, was launched in June 2002. The family was completed recently with the launch of the intermediate *** ABLOADS Management *** product, designed for smaller bridge authorities.

Our programs

Cascade's software has always been written by engineers active in the appropriate engineering field. Every effort is made to maintain contact with the organisations who acquire the software, even if the Helpline service is not purchased, to ensure and encourage customer feedback. The opportunity to improve, enhance and, yes, correct our software in response to this feedback is an opportunity not to be missed, and it is rare that, if feasible, a suggestion made by a customer is not incorporated at the earliest opportunity. We are fortunate that, because our software has a relatively small circulation, we can respond quickly and effectively in almost all instances.

If you have any suggestions, or if you experience any problem with any of our products which you cannot resolve using the Helpfile and/or Manual provided, please contact us.