Category : Databases and related files
Archive   : RCBDES20.ZIP
Filename : README.DOC

Reinforced Concrete Beam Design (RCBD) Version 2.0
==================================================

This program analyses and designs singly reinforced concrete
beams of rectangular, or 'T', or inverted 'L' sections. The
beams have to be of constant cross-section and all lie in the
same plane. Design and checks are carried out to the current
British Standard in Structural Concrete : BS 8110.
This program consists of five individual modules each run
from the last. There are 9 files in all:
RUNME.BAT - Execute this file to run program.
INITIAL.EXE - Opening Screen. -,
MODIFY.EXE - Edit Inputted Data. |
ANALYSIS.EXE - Analyse Beam. |- Main Program Files.
DESIGN.EXE - Design Reinforcement.|
MENU.EXE - Main Menu. -'
RCBDATA.DAT - Data File for Reinforcement.
DEMO.RBP - Demonstration File.
README.DOC - This file.

N.B. - All the files must be on the same DRIVE/DIRECTORY and there MUST
==== be at least 5k bytes of disk space free as the data files that
link each module can be up to 4k bytes in length depending upon
the number of spans and the number of loads.


INITIAL MODULE:
===============
If you wish to load an already saved data file from disk, such
as the DEMO.RBP file, press F9,(see the bottom command line).
This module gathers information from the user about the number
of beams, their individual lengths, the total overall number of
nodal loads and member loads. ( Nodal loads are loads which act
at the support, whereas Member loads act between the supports.
Please note that a load that acts at the end of a cantilever is
STILL a nodal load. )
The program explains what units the data is to be entered in,
and which directions are positive for the loads. The values and
positions of the loads are entered ( if errors are made at this
stage, these can be rectified later in the MODIFY Module ). An
allowance must be made by the user for the self-weight of the
beam by entering an approximate value for this now, and later
when a section size is found, the MODIFY module can be run and
this value can be altered accordingly. Appropriate load factors
must be included in any loads entered as this program does not
factor up the loads.

This module also inquires about the end restraints of the beam.
Again if mistakes are made this can be changed later. There are
three types of end restraint : cantilever, knife edged, or fully
encastered. The middle supports are assumed to be knife edge.
Each restraint gives support in the following directions:

Cantilever - No support.
Knife Edge - Support in the Vertical & Horizontal
Directions.
Fully Encastered - Support in the Vertical, Horizontal and
Rotational Directions.




MODIFY MODULE:
==============
This module allows the data that has been entered to be checked
and corrected if necessary. This module also allows extra loading
data to be entered. It is not possible to add extra spans or
delete existing spans - if this is required then the program must
be rerun. This module has four options:

1. Span Lengths. - Edit span lengths.
2. End Restraints. - Alter end restraints.
3. Nodal Loads. - Check/Edit nodal loads.
4. Member Loads. - Check/Edit member loads.

For options 1-3 enter '0' to exit, for option 4 use F4 to exit.
Always watch the bottom text command line, in blue, which will
tell you how to enter the options and how to exit.

Option 4, the member load editter, shows the loads in the order
entered in the INITIAL module. Scroll through using the cursor
keys until the one to be edited is high-lighted and then press
F1. See the command line at the bottom. This will invoke the
editter and you will be asked a series of questions. To delete a
member load simply enter '0' for the load intensity and when you
exit the editter back into the main menu the load will automatic-
ally be erased. There may be more than one screen in the member
load editter, use the F2 and F3 keys to move from page to page,
again see the command line for keys.




ANALYSIS MODULE:
================
This module analyses the beam for the applied loading and rest-
raints. Maximum values of sagging and hogging moments are deter-
mined. Bending moment diagrams of individual spans or groups of
spans can be drawn on the screen and the plotted on a printer.
Wait for the diagram to be plotted on the screen first before
pressing F10 to send the diagram to the printer.
Then shear force values for the end of each span and the
maximum internal shear force for each span are displayed and dia-
grams can be drawn and printed as above.
Lastly the reactions at each support are displayed.


DESIGN MODULE:
==============
This module designs the beams reinforcement to fit in the spec-
ified cross-section. Choose the type of cross-section, concrete
strength, cover to reinforcement. Also choose whether you want to
enter the height of the beam and let the program determine the
width or enter the width and let the program determine the height
or enter both the height and width. The program then checks to
see if it can fit enough reinforcement into this section, if it
cannot, then it asks for new dimensions. Once the reinforcement
can be fitted in, then the section's self-weight is calculated
and you can now return to the modify module if you wish to edit
the loading on the beam to accommodate the self-weight.
This module then continues and displays all the reinforcement
required and the results of the serviceability checks. Intermedi-
ate values from calculations are displayed to help the user in
checking the answers. The spacing of the main reinforcement al-
ready complies with maximum and minimum values and so no checks
are displayed for these. It is up to the user to decide what to
do if the beam fails either the deflection or percentage of rein-
forcement checks. Beam dimensions and material properties can be
reentered from the Menu module.




MENU MODULE:
============
This module allows the user to return to the MODIFY or DESIGN
modules to edit data until the correct solution is found. This
menu also allows the return to the ANALYSIS module for the dis-
playing of bending moment or shear force diagrams.
Always watch the bottom blue command line which will tell you
how to use the menu system.
A printout option menu is also available from this main menu.
Select the required sections to be printed ( using the space-
bar ) and press F2 to commence printing ( See PRINTER below). To
exit the printout menu and return to the main menu press 'ESC'.
Lastly the files option allows the data to be saved on disk or
for an other, already save data to be retrieved from disk.


PRINTER COMPATIBILITY:
======================
This program was designed to run on an IBM compatible computer
with at least an EGA colour screen. It will work on a VGA colour
screen. The printout of the design consists of various char-
acters from the Extended Graphics Character Set. Also the screen
dump section, to printout the bending moment and shear force
diagrams where design around a dot-matrix Epson compatible
printer. I do not know how other printers will respond to the
certain control codes sent to them by this program. (Try it.)



NOTE:
=====
This program has been tested as much as possible, although it
is still possible that it contains a few errors within it.
THEREFORE ALL CALCULATIONS DONE BY THIS PROGRAM SHOULD BE
CHECKED BEFORE BEING USED.



This program was created by P.A.Haley (1st June 1990)

If you find any errors within the program or in the solutions
it produces please leave a description of the error on the :

ALMAC PC Board BBS
Grangemouth,
Scotland

Tel: 0324 665371

If you find this program useful, I would be greatfull of a
small donation of œ10 to go towards the time that I have
spent on this program. This will entitle you to further
upgrades. Please send donations to:

P.A.Haley
Barley Mill,
By West Saltoun,
East Lothian,
Edinburgh,
Scotland EH34 5EP



Watch out for two other programs that will be on the ALMAC
BBS before the fall:

SCOLUMN - Steel column design to BS5950
SBEAM - Steel beam design to BS5950

These will include all the steel sections currently available
in the BSC General Steels, Structural Sections, for UB, UC, and
Channel sections .