The Component-Based Software Development (CBSD) has established itself as a sound paradigm in the software engineering discipline and has gained wide spread acceptance in the industry. The CBSD relies on the availability of standard software components for encapsulation of specific functionality. This paper presents the framework for the development of a software component for the design of general member cross-sections. The proposed component can be used in component-based structural engineering software or as a stand-alone program developed around the component. This paper describes the use-case scenarios for the component, its design patterns, object models, class hierarchy, the integrated and unified handling of cross-section behavior and implementation issue. It is expected that a component developed using the proposed patterns and model can be used in analysis, design and detailing packages to handle reinforced concrete, partially prestressed concrete, steel-concrete composite and steel sections. The component can provide the entire response parameters of the cross section including determination of geometric properties, elastic stresses, flexural capacity, moment-curvature, and ductility ratios. The component can also be used as the main computational engine for stand-alone section design software. The component can be further extended to handle the retrofitting and strengthening of cross-sections, shear and torsional response, determination of fire-damage parameters, etc.