RAPT User Manual Copyright PCDC

7.3.12 Reinforcement Layout

RAPT will determine a reinforcing bar pattern to match the reinforcement requirements for a run and the relative code
development and detailing rules using the bar sizes and spacings determined above to suit the crack control
requirements of the code. This reinforcing bar pattern can be viewed in text form in the output screens and can be
automatically added to the run as 7.2.6.4 user defined reinforcement.
The reinforcing pattern includes all reinforcement calculated by RAPT as being need to satisfy code design
requirements for;

1. strength and ductility

2. minimum strength
3. crack control
4. AS3600 Shrinkage and Temperature requirements for slabs

In calculating termination locations for bars, RAPT will attempt to ensure that each bar will develop adequate capacity
at each design location along it's length to provide the strength required at that point. As well, RAPT will apply the
relevant clauses in each code

1. AS3600 clauses 8.1.8 (except 8.1.8.6), 8.1.9 and 9.1.3.1, where relevant
2. ACI318 clause 12.10
3. Eurocode clause 2 5.4
4. BS8110, SABS 0100, CP65 clauses 3.12.9 and 3.12.10
5. CP2004:- 9.2.1
6. IS456/IS1343:- 29.3

Support reinforcing bars will normally be terminated at a point past the point of contraflexure sufficient to develop the
bar where required. If staggering of bars is requested in the input and if appropriate, 50% of bars (lesser whole
number if odd number of bars) will be terminated where possible in the tension zone. If reinforcement is required past
this point for some reason, RAPT will either add intermediate bars (Ast at support > .3 Ast at middle) or extend the
main support bars to lap at mid-span (100% development) with some bars stopping past the point of contraflexure. If
more reinforcement is required at mid-span than at the supports, RAPT will lap the support bars at mid-span and add
extra bars at mid-span.

Span reinforcing bars will normally be continued to the support and terminated at the centre of the support. A
development percentage will be assigned at each end sufficient to satisfy development requirements along the bars. If
staggering of span bars is requested in the input and if appropriate, 50% of bars (lesser whole number if odd number
of bars) will be terminated where possible in the tension zone at each end of the span. If a greater area is required at
an end than at mid-span, the full number of bars required at mid-span will be continued to the support and fully
developed and extra bars will be added at the support.

Remember, this reinforcement pattern is determined from the design results and detailing requirements and is an
attempt to provide a logical reinforcement layout for the design. It is not the only possible reinforcement layout and
may result in more reinforcement than is shown in the design calculations. The design results, strength, serviceability,
shear and deflections, will not reflect the actual layout of reinforcement shown here. To achieve final design results
that reflect this reinforcement pattern, go back into input 7.2.6.4 user defined reinforcement and add this reinforcing

pattern to the user defined reinforcement using .

Text View
The reinforcing shown in the text output includes all of the reinforcement used in and calculated in the design of the
member. It includes all user defined reinforcement from the input (shown first in the table) and all reinforcement
added by RAPT in the design and detailing.
The following results are included in this table for reinforcing bar:-

1. Bar Type:-
1. Type:- Reinforcing type as selected in 7.2.6.1 Reinforcement General and 7.2.6.3 Reinforcement
Zones, or 7.2.6.4 Reinforcement User Defined and defined in materials.
2. Size:- Size of reinforcing bar or mesh used.
3. Number of:- Number of reinforcing bars or width of reinforcing mesh.
2. Left End Of Bar:-
1. Ref Col No:- Number of the Column from which the left end of the bar is dimensioned.
2. Distance from Column:- Distance to left end of the bar from the left reference column.
3. Stagger Length:- Distance from the left end of the bar to the left end of the staggered bars in the
group. Zero if there is no stagger.
4. Depth Down:- Depth to left end of bar from the top of slab datum.
5. % Development
1. Tension:- Percentage of full development required for the left end of this bar in tension. This
could be provided with a lap, hook, cog or bar coupler or straight bar extension past this
point.
2. Compression:- Percentage of full development required for the left end of this bar in
compression. This could be provided with a lap, or bar coupler or straight bar extension past
this point. Hooks and cogs cannot provide compression development.
3. Right End of Bar

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1. Ref Col No:- Number of the Column from which the right end of the bar is dimensioned.
2. Distance from Column:- Distance to right end of the bar from the right reference column.
3. Stagger Length:- Distance from the right end of the bar to the right end of the staggered bars in the
group. Zero if there is no stagger.
4. Depth Down:- Depth to right end of bar from the top of slab datum.
5. % Development
1. Tension:- Percentage of full development required for the right end of this bar in tension.
This could be provided with a lap, hook, cog or bar coupler or straight bar extension past
this point.
2. Compression:- Percentage of full development required for the right end of this bar in
compression. This could be provided with a lap, or bar coupler or straight bar extension past
this point. Hooks and cogs cannot provide compression development.

Graphical View
The graphical output consists of separate diagrams for each design strip.
Each reinforcing bar is shown in elevation. The ends of a bar a indicated with a short vertical line. Stagger end
locations are indicated with a diagonal line sloping towards the relevant bar end from the stagger end location on the
bar. All reinforcing bars used in the design and designed by RAPT are shown here. The difference in representation is

1. Program Calculated Reinforcing Bar (see general discussion above):- the number of bars, type of bar and size
of bar are indicated thus 4-N16, printed perpendicular to the bar at the midpoint of the length of the bar.
2. 7.2.6.4 User Defined Reinforcing Bar, the number of bars, type of bar and size of bar are indicated thus (5-
N20).

Where there are 2 or more bars overlapping in elevation as shown below, the bar descriptor will be moved from the
midpoint of the length of the bar if necessary to avoid overlapping of the descriptors.

To select a bar, click on it with the left mouse button. The selected bar and its attached attributes will be shown in
blue. Where there are 2 or more bars overlapping in elevation as shown below, the first bar in the text list will be
selected when clicked on with the mouse. If the mouse is clicked again (use sufficient delay to avoid a double-click),
the next bar at this location in the text list will be shown and so on. This will loop through the overlapping bars at the
clicked point continuously. Alternatively, the toolbar buttons can be used to select each reinforcing bar in turn as
described in the Graphics Toolbar section below.

Double-Click on a bar will move the focus into Zoom mode equivalent to pressing (see below) and the reinforcing
bars will then be shown with a diameter drawn to scale.

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Graphics Toolbar
A special graphics toolbar is provided to assist with viewing the data. This toolbar will only be available when program
focus is in the Graphics Window. The functionality of this toolbar for reinforcement data is slightly different to the
general functionality. The buttons available are

Zoom (Ctrl + Z). This button will toggle between full screen mode and bar zoom mode for the graphics in a
window. In bar zoom mode, the spans in which the current bar is placed will be shown scaled to fill the whole window.
The scales will still show at the left and right sides of the window. The horizontal scale will change to suit the new
length of the graph being shown in the Window. In this mode, the bars are drawn to scale with their correct diameter.
When not in zoom mode, the bars are drawn as a 1 pixel wide line.

Move to next Reinforcing Bar (Ctrl + Right Arrow). In Full Screen Mode the next reinforcing bar in the text bar
list will be shown in a blue colour (see graphical view above). In bar Zoom mode, the spans containing the next
reinforcing bar in the text bar list will move to the centre of the Window and the selected reinforcing bar will be shown
in a blue colour.

Not Available.

Not Available.

Move to previous Reinforcing Bar (Ctrl + Left Arrow). In Full Screen Mode the previous reinforcing bar in the
text bar list will be shown in a blue colour (see graphical view above). In Bar Zoom mode, the spans containing the
previous reinforcing bar in the text bar list will move to the centre of the Window and the selected reinforcing bar will
be shown in a blue colour.

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Zoom to user defined rectangle. This button is only available in Full Screen Mode. Click the button and then use
the mouse to select a rectangle within the graphics into which you want to zoom. To do this, click and hold the left
mouse button at the top left or bottom right corner of a rectangle and move the mouse to create a rectangle that
encloses the area you wish to zoom into. The relative scale of the zoomed area will be the same as that for the Full
Screen Mode so, if you make the selected rectangle shape exactly the same relative proportions as the Window, the
rectangular shape you have selected will fill the entire window. Otherwise, the relative scale will still be maintained so
a larger shape will be shown to ensure that the full selected rectangle is in the view: depending on the relative shapes
of the rectangle and the Window, more width or depth of the graph will be included than requested.

Then user can then move around the graph using the Scroll Bars or the movement keys. or buttons will still
move the selection to the next and previous bars but will not move the view location.

Clicking this button again or on the buttons will return the Window to Full Screen Mode.

Clicking will change the mode to Bar Zoom Mode with the reinforcing bar selected in the Select Zoom mode.

Information Dialogs
To view the information used to plot the curves on these graphics views, open the Information Dialog from the

graphics toolbar , or press Ctrl + I, and then left click on design location desired. While the dialog is in view, click
on any other point or move with the toolbar buttons or quick keys to view its information and the dialog data will be
updated automatically.

The information dialog reports the information defining the selected reinforcing bar. The information provided is
exactly the same as that described above in Text View.

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8 Column Definition and Design

This section is not available yet.

8 Column Definition and Design 1

RAPT User Manual Copyright PCDC

9 Cross-section Definition and Design

This section is not available yet.

9 Cross-section Definition and Design 1

RAPT User Manual Copyright PCDC

10 Tendon Profile Definition and Design

This section is not available yet.

10 Tendon Profile Definition and Design 1

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T Theory
The theory section of this manual has been written to give the designer background on the design methods used in
RAPT. Reasons for assumptions, theory used and helpful design hints can be found throughout this section. We have
endeavoured to set this section out in a systematic way working through the design procedure as a designer would by
hand.
RAPT allows designers the versatility of designing to 8 codes.

1. Australia AS3600
2. United Kingdom BS8110
3. USA ACI318
4. Europe EUROCODE 2
5. South Africa SABS 0100
6. Singapore CP 65
7. Hong Kong CP2004
8. India IS456/IS1343

In some instances the various codes approach the design of members in the same way and in other areas they use
totally different design approaches. Thus RAPT at times uses common routines for each code and at other times uses
separate design techniques. In writing this section of the manual, we have given code references for the user to
examine where the codes differ. In sections where no code references appear the user can assume that the approach
being discussed is used by all codes.
In many instances the codes give the designer the option to use a simplified approach to analysis or design and an
option to design by "first principals". Wherever possible RAPT uses the second option, which is often code independent,
along with the various factors required by each code, using “first principals” to gain a more accurate picture of the
structure under review. This section aims to explain these methods used by RAPT.

T Theory 1
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T.1 Preliminary Sizing

Before starting a RAPT run the designer should have some idea of the member sizes and a feel for the structure. Below
are listed some suggested guide-lines for designers, in order to establish a reasonable structural system first up.

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T.1.1 Initial Selection of Section Depth

Prestressed Systems

Below are the suggested limits proposed by T.Y.Lin and N.H.Burns for span to total depth, L/D, ratios for prestressed
systems. These ratios are for light office loading only.

Application Simple Span Continuous

roof floor roof Floor

one-way solid slabs 48 44 52 48

two-way solid slabs 44 40 48 44

(supported on columns only)

two-way waffle slabs

(900 mm waffles) 36 32 40 36

(3600 mm waffles) 32 28 36 32

one-way slabs with small cores 46 42 50 46

one-way slabs with large cores 44 40 48 44

single tees (spaced 6000 mm c/c) 32 28 36 32

double tees and single tees

(spaced side by side)

For prestressed slabs, in order to fit anchorages within the depth of the slab, a minimum depth of 140 mm is
recommended. This may vary between different prestressing companies and reference should be made to the
companies in different countries. Span to depth ratios (L/D) ACI (ref 14) applicable for prestressed slabs
continuous over 2 or more spans

1. roof slabs 48-52

2. floor slabs 42-48

Span to depth ratios (L/D) for prestressed slabs ACI (ref 13)

1. roof slabs 45-48 (max 52)

2. floor slabs 40-45 (max 48)

For banded slab systems the clear span is taken as being the distance from edge to edge of the band tapers except
in end spans where it is measured at the discontinuous end to the column centre-line. It is not uncommon to deepen
the slab in end spans. The greatest economy will be achieved if the end span length is reduced to about 80% of the
length of the internal spans and all slab depths made equal.
The band beam is commonly proportioned to L/D = 25 - 30 (for office construction but may drop to 18 for storage
conditions) where L is the largest of the span lengths in either direction. Usually the depth of the band is about 1.5 -
2.0 the depth of the slab.

The web width of the band, measured at the slab soffit, is taken as about 0.25 - 0.33 times the transverse span width.
This dimension is rationalised to suit standard plywood sheets. i.e. 1200, 1500, 1800, 2100 or 2400 mm. For long
span bands (in either direction) consideration should be given to introducing a taper on the sides of the band beam.
The width of the taper should ideally suit standard plywood sheets (600 or 900 mm).
The flange width of bands may be calculated from the smaller of

1. the effective flange width formula for beams even though the band is designed more as a wide slab than a
beam.
2. the column strip width as if it were a two-way slab.
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Prestressed beams may initially be proportioned by
L/D = 20 for b approx. = D/3
L/D = 30 for b approx. = 3D (where b = beam width)
In contrast to these figures the authors would recommend the following for light office loadings.

Flat plate slabs L/D = 40

Flat slabs with drop panels L/D = 45-50 All values for continuous spans.
drop = 1.5 - 2 x D Reduce by 10% for simple support

Band Beams L/D = 25 - 30 Reduce by 5% for end spans

L /D = 25 - 30
T

width = 0.20 - 0.3 x L

T

where
D = Depth of the member
L = The span length
L = The transverse column spacing width
T

Note:

1. For retail loading, these figures should be reduced by 5 - 10%

2. For storage loading, these figures should be reduced by 10 - 35% depending on the level of
load.

In all cases, these figures are only a starting point. We recommend that the best way to "size" a slab for design is to
start with these figures and do a few runs to optimise them for a particular design.

Reinforced Systems
Earlier versions of the Australian standard (CA2-1963) gave the following table for the initial selection of depth for
reinforced beams and slabs. There has been criticism that these are not always conservative however they give a
quick initial estimate of the depth required.

Beams L/D

Simply supported beams 20

Continuous beams 25

Cantilever beams 10

Slabs L/D

Slabs spanning in one direction, simply supported 30

Slabs spanning in one direction, continuous 35

Slabs spanning in two directions, simply supported 35

Slabs spanning in two directions, continuous 40

Cantilever slabs 12

Note: for a slab spanning in two directions, L is that of the shorter direction.
For two-way reinforced slabs using AS1480 (ref 33) (assuming continuous spans where the span length £ 9000
mm, Ast/bd = 0.0075 and the steel stress = 210 MPa under dead plus live load) the following Span to Depth ratios
(L/D) are obtained

1. two way reinforced flat slabs 25 - 30

2. if provided with drop panels 30 - 37

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There has been criticism that these are not conservative in all cases. Rangan (ref 34) proposed the following method,
which appears in AS3600 (clause 9.3.4) in the following form

where
Fd.ef = (1 + kcs)(G + SW) + (ψ s + kcs ψ l)Q for total deflection
= kcs(G + SW) + (ψ s + kcs ψ l)Q for incremental deflection

Beams

where
k1 = Ief / bd3 which may be taken as

= 0.045 for rectangular sections

= 0.045 (0.7 + 0.3 bw / bef)3 for T and L sections

k2 = a deflection constant, taken as -

1. for simply supported beams, 5/384 or;

2. for continuous beams, where in adjacent spans the ratio of the longer span to the shorter span does not
exceed 1.2 and where no end span is longer than an interior span.
• 1/185 in an end span;
• 1/384 in interior spans

Slabs

where
k3 = 1.0 for a one-way slab
= 0.95 for a two-way slab without drop panels
= 1.05 for a two-way flat slab with drop panels which extend at least L/6 in each
direction on each side of the support centreline and have an overall depth
not less than 1.3 D where D is the slab thickness beyond the drops
= 1.0 for a slab supported by beams on four sides
k4 = the deflection constant which may be taken as -
a) for simply supported slabs 1.6; or
b) for continuous slabs, where in adjoining spans the ratio of the longer span to the
shorter span does not exceed 1.2 and where no end span is longer than an interior
span -
2.1 in an end span; or
2.6 in interior spans
c) for a slab supported by beams on four sides from the table below

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Deflection Constant k 4

Edge condition Ratio of long to short side (L y / Lx )

1.00 1.25 1.50 2.00

1. 4 edges continuous 4.00 3.40 3.10 2.75

2. 1 short edge discontinuous 3.75 3.25 3.00 2.70

3. 1 long edge discontinuous 3.75 2.95 2.65 2.30

4. 2 short edges discontinuous 3.55 3.15 2.90 2.65

5. 2 long edges discontinuous 3.55 2.75 2.25 1.80

6. 2 adjacent edges discontinuous 3.25 2.75 2.50 2.20

7. 3 edges discontinuous (1 long edge contin) 3.00 2.55 2.40 2.15

8. 3 edges discontinuous (1 short edge contin) 3.00 2.35 2.10 1.75

9. 4 edges discontinuous 2.50 2.10 1.90 1.70

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T.1.2 Determination of Load to be Balanced

The selection of the load to balance is an important factor in the economics of prestressed systems. One of the major
advantages of prestressing is to reduce the long-term deflection of the concrete. However selection of too high a load
to balance may incur excessive prestressing costs reducing the economy of the prestressed solution. A combination of
a lower level of "balanced load" and the addition of normal reinforcement at peak moment regions will prove to be a
more economical solution in most applications (ie a partial prestress design).

If the basis of design is that the structure be flat under long-term loading then the load to balance should be the self-
weight plus a proportion of the long-term applied loading. Over balancing, i.e. balancing self-weight plus a large
superimposed loading, may result in problems at transfer. In this instance the full prestress is present (accentuated by
the as yet not realised long-term losses) and the live load is yet to be applied. This problem may be overcome if stage
stressing is adopted depending on the loading type. Generally the loads to balance in the following table will usually
prove satisfactory.

Partition and

Occupancy Other Super Imposed Design Live Load to Balance

of Building Dead Load (kPa) Load (kPa) (kPa)

Car Parks ------------ 3.0 (0.7 - 0.9) sw

Shopping Centres 0.0 - 2.0 5.0 (0.9 - 1.1) sw

Residential 2.0 - 4.0 2.0 sw + 50% of

partition load

Office Buildings 0.5 - 1.0 3.0 (0.8 - 1.0) sw

Storage ------------ 2.4 kPa/m height sw + 20 - 30% LL

(check transfer carefully)

In all cases the level of "load to balance" required is influenced by the L/D chosen. The lower the L/D selected for a
particular design, the lower the "load to balance required". The "low end" figures nominated in this table would
normally apply for the L/D ratios nominated by the authors in the earlier section on selection of section depth. Higher
L/D ratios would require the "high end" figures nominated in this table.

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T.1.3 Selection of Level of Prestress

The level of average prestress (the total effective force divided by the net concrete area) serves as a useful check on
the economics of the design and the serviceability of the structure. Below are some guidelines on different stress
levels. From ref 13

Below 1.4 MPa Amount of compression is generally inadequate to resist cracking, and is much
too low for waterproofing. The tendons will probably not have enough ultimate
capacity alone and will have to be supplemented with reinforcement at both
positive and negative regions. Economical for lightly loaded slabs.
1.4 - 3.5 MPa Generally accepted "proper" range for post-tensioned slabs. Check for very
stiff vertical elements and very long distances between expansion joints or
stiff elements. For typical conditions, slabs stressed in this range will perform
well with respect to cracking and shortening. Use 2.0 MPa minimum for
watertight slabs. Will usually mean that no extra reinforcement is required for
ultimate flexure at positive regions (but perhaps in end spans) but may be
required for negative flexure except in heavily loaded members.
Above 3.5 MPa Slabs stressed in this range will undergo excessive shortening due to axial
creep and elastic shortening due to axial creep and elastic shortening. Check
all connections to vertical elements, limit pour size to as small as practicable,
pour walls after slab is stressed (if possible). In short, take every available
precaution to avoid shortening restraint problems.

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T.2 Frame Properties

RAPT calculates the stiffness of both the slab / beam and columns.

T.2 Theory: Frame Properties 1