How do I simulate an El Niño?

Open this page and use the live Structural Collapse tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive an El Niño from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Structural Collapse

Structural Collapse for an El Niño

Simulate an El Niño live in your browser. This runs the real Structural Collapse solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Base Shear

open full solver →

Seismic Base ShearLive

equivalent lateral force

Controls

Presets

Number of stories

Weight per floor (kN)

Design accel. SDS (g)

Response factor R

Importance factor I

The equivalent lateral force method estimates the total earthquake base shear as V = Cs·W, where the seismic coefficient Cs scales the design acceleration by the structure's ductility (R) and importance (I). The base shear is distributed up the building, concentrating force at the top. Educational tool, not a code design.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Seismic coeff. Cs0.150

Total weight W9,000 kN

Base shear V1350 kN

Roof force386 kN

Governing equation

V = C_{s} W = min (\frac{S _{D S} I}{R}, 0.15) W = 0.150 \times 9, 000 = 1350 kN

Reading this result: Cs would be 0.167 but is capped at 0.15, so base shear is code-floored here — cutting R further will not add demand.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

↓

Beam Deflection

open full solver →

Beam Deflection & BendingLive

Euler-Bernoulli beam theory

Controls

Presets

Span L (m)

Load P (kN)

Flexural rigidity EI (kN·m²)

Euler-Bernoulli theory relates a beam's deflection and internal moment to its load, span, and flexural rigidity EI. Deflection grows with the cube or fourth power of span, which is why doubling a span is far worse than doubling the load. Educational tool — not a substitute for a stamped structural design.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Max deflection1.30 mm

Max moment12.5 kN·m

Span/deflectionL/3840

Governing equation

δ = \frac{P L ^{3}}{48 E I} = \frac{10 \cdot 5 ^{3}}{48 \cdot 20000} = 1.30 mm

Reading this result: At L/3840 this beam clears the usual L/360 serviceability limit, so strength (not deflection) is likely to govern the design.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Structural Collapse tool models an El Niño with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Structural Collapse

Structural Collapse for an earthquake Structural Collapse for a volcano Structural Collapse for a glacier melt Structural Collapse for a tsunami Structural Collapse for a river flood Structural Collapse for an ocean current Structural Collapse for a sea-level rise Structural Collapse for a carbon cycle

Other ways to simulate an El Niño

Energy Balance for an El Niño Daisyworld for an El Niño Milankovitch Cycles for an El Niño Tsunami Propagation for an El Niño Carbon Cycle for an El Niño Earthquake Shaking for an El Niño

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate an El Niño?: Open this page and use the live Structural Collapse tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive an El Niño from your own measurements.