Reinforcement Pattern - Longitudinal Bars tab (RC column)

The Longitudinal Bars tab allows you to define the parameters of longitudinal reinforcement of an RC column.

Access

Select RC Design Provided reinforcement layout, and then create a new RC element or open an existing one.

Dialog elements

Corner bars
Specify a diameter of bars in corners and the maximal number of bars in a bundle.
Note: For columns with the cross-section other than rectangular (e.g. circular, T-section, etc.), options found in the Corner bars field refer to all bars in the cross-section.
Intermediate bars
This option refers to bars placed along the sides for columns with a rectangular cross-section; for intermediate bars there are the same options available as for corner bars and additionally, it is possible to adopt a diameter of intermediate bars identical to the diameter of corner bars.
Constructional bars

The Generate constructional reinforcement option allows generating constructional bars (instead of main bars) along the cross-section sides, if it is required by the conditions of bar spacing. It should be, however, remembered that such bars are not taken into account in calculations of the section capacity.

If the Diameter as for intermediate ones option is selected then the diameter of constructional bars is the same as for intermediate bars.

Note: Code requirements concerning the minimal reinforcement ratio of the cross-section refer only to main bars. Constructional bars will be generated if there is no need to generate main bars (i.e. bars necessary to carry loads in the cross-section) on the given side, and simultaneously, the spacing conditions (or other code conditions) require inserting bars along the column side. If this option is switched off, all bars in the cross-section are taken into account in the capacity calculations.
Bar arrangement

Specify the bar arrangement in the column's cross-section using one of the following ways:

  • Spacing limit

    Specify the maximal and the minimal spacings of longitudinal bars in the column's cross-section.

    The program uses the code recommendation of spacing and list of available diameters to find the best spacing and diameters.

  • Number of bars

    Specify the number of longitudinal bars in the column's cross-section.

    The program uses the list of available diameters to find the best parameters.

  • Click Restore default to restore the default values of bar arrangement.

The Save As option allows you to reuse a set of reinforcement pattern parameters. This set is saved to your current user directory. You can reuse this set for the other element in the Reinforcement Pattern dialog or assign it to the selected element (or selected elements of the same type) in the RC Component Inspector.

The Delete option allows you to remove the selected set of reinforcement pattern parameters.