S-CONCRETE - S-FRAME Software for Structural Engineers

S-CONCRETE™ (Concrete Section Design)

Release 10.0

The design module S-CONCRETE™ R10.0 features both completely new and significantly updated codes, as well as expanded coverage of existing codes. At the same time enhancements to output and efficiency have also been made.

Updated Design Codes

Support for CSA-A23.3-04 Update #3: this update to the design code includes numerous adjustments for shear walls and new seismic provisions for beams and columns which are not specifically part of the lateral force resisting system (so called 'gravity' elements). Some engineers may not be aware of the latter. S-CONCRETE's shear wall checks have been updated accordingly and additional seismic provisions have been added for beam and column sections.

Enhanced automated load calculation

Enhanced Minimum Moments. S-CONCRETE will now automatically generate additional load cases for minimum moments in each principle direction as required. Minimum moments are not produced by an analysis model and hence must generally be separately calculated. S-CONCRETE's enhanced feature performs this time-consuming calculation automatically hence reducing workload and producing the additional code-required load conditions that an engineer may not have considered..

For CSA-A23.3-04 or CSA-A23.3-94 seismic design; enhanced seismic shear magnification. For a cantilever lateral load resisting system, S-CONCRETE automatically computes the overstrength factors for each load case and uses these to determine the design shear force on a load case by load case basis. The lowest nominal overstrength factor is stored and used to evaluate the ductility or rotational demand and shear resistance for the section. This practical new approach is based on collaborative discussions with our experienced engineering user-base.

Improved operation

For ACI 318-02/05/08; improved axial load and moment interaction diagrams for the factored resistance envelopes ("normal envelopes"). A new more accurate approach has been developed and implemented replacing the previous more conservative approach. )

Improved output; when exporting axial load and moment interaction (N vs M) diagrams to a text file, there is now the option to export all available diagrams or a single diagram depending on the section configuration and loading conditions. This feature is added in response to requests from our user-community

S-CONCRETE™, both stand-alone and integrated with S-FRAME^® Design features:

· Reinforced concrete section design and detailing.

· Import loads from S-FRAME^® including wall integration line results.

· Interactive and automated design in accordance with various building standards.

· Support for ACI 318-08, 05, 02, & 99, CSA-A23.3-04 & 94, BS 8110:1997 & 1985, UBC 1997, CP65:1999.

· Visual editor (click/drag to make changes).

· International range of reinforcing bars.

· Axial load, flexure, shear and torsion design.

· Axial load and moment interaction diagrams.

· True biaxial bending where the resultant moment is applied at any angle.

· Slenderness effects calculations (if applicable).

· CSA shear & torsion (simple or general method).

· Generate reports with pictures & numerical results.

· Export detailed drawings to AutoCAD^®.

· Export drawings and numerical results to Microsoft Word^® and TEDDS^®.

· Support for fiber-reinforced concrete beam sections (ACI 318-08 only) which has implications on minimum shear reinforcement requirements.

· Generate moment-curvature diagrams for any shape and add reinforcing bars and/or prestressing strands (optional).

· Moment-curvature relationships can be used for more accurate deflection estimation and realistic flexural capacity evaluation.

Beam Section Design and Detailing:

· T-beams, L-beams, slab bands, and rectangular beams.

· Bar spacing and stirrup/tie spacing checks.

· Crack control and steel area checks.

· Beams with any number of stirrup legs.

· Multiple bar layers.

· Different bar sizes per layer.

· Face steel checks (if applicable).

Column Section Design and Detailing:

· Rectangular and circular columns.

· Columns with holes.

· Composite columns with up to two different steel shapes.

· Rectangular or circular ties or spiral.

· Multiple bar layers.

· Bar spacing and steel area checks.

Shear Wall Section Design and Detailing:

· Seismic design and detailing.

· Complex zones of reinforcing.

· Sectional and panel loading.

· Zone reinforcing checks.

· Panel reinforcing checks.

· Bar spacing checks.

· Anchorage checks.

· Interface shear or sliding shear check (CSA Only).

Earthquake resistant design of shear walls (ACI and UBC):

· Boundary element size and detailing evaluation.

· Concrete confinement (zone ties and configuration).

· Curtains of reinforcing, steel area and steel ratios.

· Anchorage conditions (i.e. hooks).

· Bar spacing requirements.

Seismic Provisions for shear walls CSA-A23.3 (Rd=1.0, 1.5, 2.0 or 3.5):

· Ductility/stability requirements.

· Curtains of reinforcing, steel area and steel ratios.

· Anchorage and development length including hooks.

· Simplified or general method of shear design.

· Concrete confinement (zone ties & configuration).

· Bar spacing requirements.

· Squat walls as defined in Clause 21.7.4 of CSA-A23.3-04.

S-FRAME Integration with

S-CONCRETE Beams & Columns

S-FRAME Integration with

S-CONCRETE Shear Walls

S-CONCRETE

Composite Columns

S-CONCRETE Shear Walls

Axial Load and Moment

Interaction Diagrams

Moment-Curvature Tool