Reinforcement settings, in-depth

Last modified by Fredrik Lagerström on 2021/02/24 13:50

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We have previously discussed the basic functions of the Main Reinforcement tab. Its full functionality is significantly greater.

First, the table itself allows fine-tuning of a given reinforcement bar. Dimensions can be altered at will simply by entering the new values. Moreover, clicking the button in the column marked Material opens the Manage Reinforcement Material window, which lets us view the parameters of the reinforcement material. Clicking the Database button in this window opens the Available Materials dialog, which lets you set the materials from a list of available materials and even, should a desired material not be present, create a new one. The list of reinforcement materials is based on the selected national annex of EuroCode.

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In the Main Reinforcement tab, the Layer of Reinforcement button opens up a dialog with the same name, which allows us to adjust various reinforcement values. Clicking the Code Value button will return values to default status.

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Regarding partial factors, bear in mind that the design values shown depend on calculation settings, which in turn depend on annexes. The Annexes themselves go into greater detail, for more information about these settings consult the Exposure class and Concrete cover pages.

Material design values shown for ultimate limit states will be dependant of partial factors, and for serviceability limit states, the characteristic values will be shown.

92865 - finland flag.pngThe Finnish annex defines a Construction Class, which affects the required cover.

There is also the ability to vary the composition of hollowcore elements. This is done in the Main reinforcement tab by clicking the Edit recesses and core fillings button.

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In the Reinforcement Details tab, the choice of diameters for standard reinforcement are the ones available for the type. For non-standard reinforcement, the available diameters are 1-99 mm. Altering the Vibration Space or Largest Aggregate Size also influences the position of the reinforcement. The Cover Deviation option represents the part of the total cover called Δcdev according to EN 1992-1-1 4.4.1.3. Clicking the Code Value button will cause the program to choose default minimum values (shown in blue) for the current diameter and code. While the Code Control check-box is ticked, the chosen values will be controlled and compared against existing rules for the current code.

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The Stirrup Reinforcement tab in the project tree dialog also merits explanation. The user can choose to calculate without stirrups according to EN 1992-1-1 6.2.2 or with stirrups using EN 1992-1-1 6.2.3 by changing the setting in the Calculation Settings tab. A warning will appear if the shear capacity is not adequate depending on the method chosen. Stirrup reinforcement is displayed graphically as well as in tables. An optional section can be displayed by (continuously) dragging the section arrow with the mouse pointer, or by giving a numerical X-coordinate value for the section position. By pointing at a stirrup group in a section or on the elevation, the corresponding group will be marked in the table.

Stirrups can be automatically designed. On clicking 'Automatic design of stirrups,' the control calculation will start by calculating the required shear reinforcement, then adding stirrup groups according to calculated shear fields. This occurs before the actual control calculation. Spacing of these groups will be rounded to nearest centimeter. Design of stirrups in the topping will use the highest requirement out of conventional shear and that of the topping joint. Should that calculation setting is chosen. minimum reinforcement will be taken into account.

The printout will reflect the created stirrup groups. In addition, unticking this option after the control calculation is carried out will reveal the stirrup groups created in the 'Stirrup reinforcement' tab.

 
The Default placing button automatically assigns stirrup reinforcements to the beam. The default way in which this is done varies by beam type, as follows:

  • In the case of regular, constant beams and RBX type beams, three (3) groups of stirrup reinforcement are distributed symmetrically, based on the beam being divided into three spans.
  • In the case of SIB type beams, five (5) groups of stirrup reinforcement are distributed. Each type of section gets its own group of stirrups: left end (quadratic section), first void (I-section), middle void (I-section), last void (I-section) and right end (quadratic section).
  • For STT beams, three (3) groups of stirrup reinforcement are distributed. The constant sections in the ends are given one group each, while the rest of the beam has one group. If there is no constant section at one end, this group will comprise a third of the total length, as in the case of regular, constant beams.

The Symmetrical button inserts a group symmetrically around the centre of the member.

The Copy group button copies and inserts current group data at any optional position. While copy mode is active, insertions can be made an arbitrary number of times, and the marker will be changed to denote copying. Clicking the same button, now marked End copying, will exit copy mode.

The Insert group button inserts a copy of the marked group between this and the previous group in the table, while Delete group removes the marked group from the table.