A working construction challenge
Brace the Bay asks players to improve a steel frame within a defined budget and load case. The prototype connects direct construction, testing, failure inspection, modification, and a repeatable redesign loop.
Active Development · Structural Engineering Simulation
Project Load Bearing
A structural simulation in development, connecting hands-on construction to a native Fortran solver.
Mission
Build a structure. Test the decisions holding it together.
Project Load Bearing explores structural engineering through a build, test, inspect, and redesign loop. In the current Brace the Bay prototype, a steel-frame construction challenge is evaluated against authored gravity and lateral loads. A native Fortran solver calculates the initial elastic response and identifies the first member failure; Unreal Engine presents the structure, editing tools, and inspection views. The project is a primary RCL development focus, not an imminent release. Its current scope is a working vertical slice rather than a finished engineering simulator.
The model has boundaries
The current solver uses a linear-elastic static frame model. It does not claim dynamic collapse, plasticity, fracture, earthquake simulation, or certified building design. The project is an interactive simulation, not a tool for real-world structural safety decisions.
In development
The current vertical slice is being developed and reviewed. Hands-on usability, presentation, and broader product scope still require validation. No release window has been announced.
Project status
Active Development
The product is under active development. Public release timing has not been announced.
Current focus
In progress.
The Brace the Bay construction, testing, and redesign journey
Clear explanations of structural response and model limits
Hands-on usability and product validation
Features
Inside the current build.
Steel-frame construction and editing in a working prototype
Authored gravity and lateral load tests
Inspection of initial elastic response and first-member failure
Design revision, undo/redo, and local save/load
Engineering
Technical profile.
Unreal Engine 5.8 and C++ provide construction tools and presentation. A native Fortran solver evaluates linear-elastic static frame response through a C ABI. The current challenge stops after the first member removal and one static re-equilibrium; it does not model general dynamic collapse.
- Languages
- Fortran · C++
- Native Core
- Linear-elastic static frame solver
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5.8
- Storage
- Local design and session saves
- Platforms
- Windows
- Interfaces / Runtime
- C ABI
Gallery
Build, inspect, redesign.
Brace the Bay prototype, captured from the September 2026 Windows build.
Build. The starting frame, construction tools, and authored challenge limits.
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Inspect. Member utilization and the first failure under the prototype's authored load case.
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Redesign. A braced solution passes the challenge's gravity and lateral proof cases within budget.
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Discuss the product and its development.
Contact Reed Creative Labs for product, development, or press inquiries.
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