Walls - geometry definition

The Walls - definition layout defines dimensions of a designed wall. The contents of the dialog differs slightly depending on a selected code.

The dialog for definition of geometry consists of the two tabs:

Wall geometry

Basic wall dimensions are defined in this tab: height, length, and thickness. Additionally for the BAEL code, a ring beam height as well as support conditions (referring to floors adjoining to the top edge of the wall). The option selected in this field has effect on calculations of the buckling length. The Name field is used to specify a name of a designed wall (this name will be given in a calculation note and in structure drawings).

To the right of the dialog there are fields for defining boundary elements of vertical wall edges. The manner how these are defined and how they are taken into account in calculations depends on a selected RC code.

• In the case of BAEL, they are treated as adjoining walls. Activating walls adjoining to the left or right edge is equivalent with adopting fixed supports on these edges (this is taken into account in calculations of the buckling length of a wall)
• When ACI is applied, boundary elements are treated as an integral part of the wall (in calculations they are considered as a part of the section).

Note: If calculations are performed according to ACI and there are no visible boundary elements in a designed wall (a wall is flat), the length of the boundary element D is a significant parameter. It is interpreted as a dimension of the zone in which the compression/bending reinforcement of the wall is placed. Therefore, the D value may not equal zero.

Openings

Options on this tab work analogously as those in the dialog for definition of openings in deep beams. If it is necessary to define an opening of a complex shape, you may define rectangular openings with adjacent edges.

Defined data is presented additionally in the table to the right of the dialog. It is also possible to edit selected dimensions of openings in this table.