Surface distribution - bars

Use this option to define reinforcement distribution for reinforcing bars for 2D contours (e.g. wall or RC slab). There are several ways to access this option:

• Menu: Reinforcement > Surface reinforcement - bars
• Ribbon: ASD - Reinforcement > Reinforcement - definition > Surface distribution - bars
• Toolbar: Definition - bars > Surface reinforcement - bars
• Command line: RBCR_DEF_BAR_SURF.

Once activated, the following dialog displays:

Note: There are available databases of reinforcing bars (*.xml files) used in the surface distribution. The file name, for example for the British code, is bar_BS 8666_2000.xml (after the part 'bar', the name of the code chosen in the Job preferences is added). Bar databases can be modified in order to adapt bar parameters.

While defining distribution, an object contour (e.g. plate, wall with supports) is generated as a closed external contour. Into the defined region objects such as supports or unsupported edges are introduced. You can define (or remove) an opening in a defined region.

Note: A defined contour is a common contour for generation of reinforcing bar distribution and wire fabric distribution (bar distribution may be generated in the contour for wire fabrics and vice versa).

There are two reasons for defining support width:

• Contour within which reinforcement is distributed is an external contour of a slab or wall; definition of a support width value models the support (wall) - within the support region reinforcement distribution will not be generated,
• After determining the support width, automatically overhangs are defined - when defining reinforcement above supports (distribution B or C), they are recognized automatically.

The dialog is divided into three main parts:

1. The left side of the dialog contains four icons which determine the type of distribution (type of region):

   - Distribution A - surface distribution of bars within a defined contour (e.g. span of slab or wall)

   - Distribution B - surface distribution of bars above the intermediate support (with respect to the support axis)

   - Distribution C - surface distribution of bars above the extreme support (along the support edge)

   - Distribution D - surface distribution of bars within a defined contour (a distribution region is defined as distribution A, whereas bars are distributed radially ('fan-shaped' arrangement) between both edges).

2. The middle of the dialog includes parameters which are indispensable while defining a selected distribution type:
   • Distribution A

     The top of the dialog contains options to define a distribution region or opening(s); additionally, there are edit fields available to define support width values and reinforcement cover.

     When defining a contour of reinforcement distribution, the Opening option is inaccessible, whereas the Distribution region option is active and selected. Once definition of a contour is completed, the Distribution region option is no longer active, whereas the Opening option becomes active and selected. You may define an opening contour within the earlier-defined contour; a number of openings are determined.

   • Distribution B

     The following options are provided in the middle of the dialog:

     o      Edit field defines support width

     o      Edit field defines a value indicating how far the reinforcement extends outside the support face (in both directions).

   • Distribution C

     The following options are provided in the middle of the dialog:

     o      Edit field defines a reinforcement cover value

     o      Edit field defines support width

     o      Edit field defines a value indicating how far the reinforcement extends outside the support face.

   • Distribution D

     Definition of a distribution region is similar to Distribution A, assuming that the radial distribution is distribution in one zone; bars are distributed radially ('fan-shaped' arrangement) between two edges. The bar spacing is constant only in one line (referred to as a distribution line).

3. The right of the dialog contains several icons used to choose the mode of graphical definition of distribution. The number of icons depends on a selected type of surface distribution.
   • for Distribution A

     - Select (direct selection of a region defined as rectangle, polygon, circle or indication of an existing region)

     Command line:

     Select object

     Distribution direction

        Select / 2Points

        where:

        select object - indicates an object defining the contour of distribution region

        select - indicates the contour side determining distribution direction

        2Points - indicates 2 points that determine distribution direction

     - Pick point (indicates an internal point of a closed region; as a result of the operation, the region contour is detected)

     Command line:

     Pick object internal point

     Distribution direction

        Select / 2Points

        where:

        object internal point - indicates a point positioned within the object defining a contour

        select - indicates the contour side determining distribution direction

        2Points - indicates 2 points that determine distribution direction

     - Diagonal (defines a rectangular region by determining its diagonal)

     Command line:

     First corner

     Second corner

     Distribution direction

        Select / 2Points

        where:

        first, second corner - defines the opposite apexes of a rectangle defining the contour

        select - indicates the contour side determining distribution direction

        2Points - indicates 2 points that determine distribution direction

     - Region (defines a closed region by means of a broken line) - in this definition mode supports with different width values on contour edges may be defined

     Command line:

     First point

     Next points [Cover / Support width]

     Distribution direction

        Select / 2Points

        where:

        first, second, …, next point - defines apexes of a polygon defining the contour

        cover - determines cover values for each contour edge separately

        support width - determines support width values for each contour edge separately

        select - indicates the contour side determining distribution direction

        2Points - indicates 2 points that determine distribution direction

     - Delete opening (allows deleting an earlier-defined opening contour)

   • for Distribution B and C

     - Select (selects directly one edge of a contour defined as line or support)

     Command line:

     Select support

     Continue or change [Side / Support width / First overhang / Second overhang]

     where:

     select support - indicates a line denoting support of a slab or wall

     side - determines on which support side reinforcement is to be located (refers to distribution C)

     support width - determines a support width value

     first and second overhang - determines an overhang value on both sides of the support (for distribution C - on one side of the support)

     - 2 Points (indicates two points determining the axis of a rectilinear support)

     Command line:

     Select first point

     Select second point or [Side / Support width / First overhang / Second overhang]

     where:

     first and second point - indicates first and second point of a line denoting the support of a slab or wall

     side - determines on which support side reinforcement is to be located (refers to distribution C)

     support width - determines a support width value

     first and second overhang - determines an overhang value on both sides of the support (for distribution C - on one side of the support)

     Furthermore, for distribution C it should be determined on which side of a support the reinforcement is to be located.

     In the dialog, define dimensions (apart from a cover value and support width) for the distance that the reinforcement extends outside the support face. One or more supports may be selected.

   • for Distribution D

     The list of icons located in the right-hand side of the dialog is identical as for distribution A.

     Command line:

     Distribution direction [Select / 2Points]

     first edge

     second edge

     location of a distribution line (when determining the location of a description)

     where:

     distribution direction:

     2 points - after indicating the points, a line is drawn that joins these points, which at the same time is the line of constant distribution; bars are distributed radially ('fan-shaped' arrangement) between two edges intersected by this line

     select - indicate two edges; once they are selected, a line is drawn that joins the centers of these edges, which at the same time is the line of constant distribution of bars.

     first, second edge - lines that limit the radial ('fan-shaped') distribution

     location of a distribution line - a dimension line of the distribution description which shows a bar spacing in the distribution line.

     Below are presented elements needed to define the radial ('fan-shaped') distribution for an example contour with the distribution.

     

     Click OK, the Reinforcement: definition and detailing dialog displays.

Note: For surface distribution of a bar, a DETAILED table is also available: table with total numbers of reinforcing bar consumption split into individual bar diameters.

Note: Description of each reinforcing bar of the surface bar distribution is provided outside the formwork contour (Reinforcing bars - symbol ).

See also:

Example definition of surface bar distribution