CAD in Reinforced Concrete Detailing and Structural Steelwork, 1994

Paper 1.
The BARD system for reinforcement detailing —

the next SO 000 drawings
M.R. HOLLINGTON, BSc(Eng), PhD, DICE, MICE, MIStructE,

W.G. BATCHELOR, BTech(Eng), and P.W. NOBLE, BSc, M B C S ,
Cement & Concrete Association
SYNOPSIS. The BARD system developed by the Cement & Concrete

Association is used to produce high quality bar schedules and
reinforcement drawings on a wide range of computer equipment.
It was designed to increase the productivity of draughtsmen in
the detailing of reinforced concrete and is marketed by Wexham
Developments Limited.
SYSTEM SPECIFICATION
1. The Cement & Concrete Association started development
1
work on BARD in the mid-1970 s with co-operation and feedback
from three structural consulting organisations. It was agreed
1
that the concept should be 'single element detailing whereby
the output was to consist of say one beam span or one slab
panel presented on an A3 sheet, complete with a bar-schedule.
It was also stipulated that the system should be capable of
running on low-cost equipment in addition to the more costly
mini-computers. At the time it was clear that advances in
computer technology were taking place very rapidly and it was
essential to design a system capable of moving with these
advances. This was important for the following reasons.
(a) First of all, from the users point of view, there is

nothing more frustrating than discovering that the software
you are using is obsolete merely because the computer on which
it runs is obsolete. Or, just as bad, that the software would
function more efficiently on a more up to date model if only
it could be transferred. The software therefore had to be
1
'portable . A hidden cost often overlooked when purchasing
software is the cost of training people to use it. The
software writer therefore has a responsibility to the user to
ensure system portability and so avoid dependence on a
particular make of computer.
(b) Similarly, on the output side, there was a requirement

to be able to interface the system with a range of plotting
devices. In the past most users had opted for drum or ^^j£-^\7^
bed plotters using ink pens on tracing paper in order t^\^ \*
emulate manual drawing office standards. However, the'^cpst of \
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C A D SYSTEMS
fast drum plotters was often in excess of ten thousand pounds

which only some of the larger firms could afford. Consequently,
it was important to be able to communicate with less costly
devices such as dot matrix printers on the basis that there
were many small firms of consulting engineers who could not
afford expensive equipment. An interesting observation is that,
whereas a year or two ago very few firms were willing to accept
dot matrix output, more and more are coming to realise that
these printers are a cheap, reliable and fast way of producing
drawings.
(c) Finally, from the software supplier's point of view, the

cost of writing, documenting and maintaining software is always
prohibitive so it is more lucrative if it runs on a wide range
of computers.
2. BARD was therefore written in standard ANSI Fortran,

communicating with various operating systems and plotting
devices through a series of link routines. Consequently, BARD
is now running of Prime, Vax, HP3000, Data General and a wide
range of micro computers using the MSDOS operating system (IBM
PC XT/AT, Apricot, Amstrad PC 1512, Olivetti M24/M28.. etc).
The cheapest hardware configuration on which BARD will run
satisfactorily is currently an Amstrad PC 1512 outputting to an
Epson EX1000 dot-matrix printer - costing around fifteen
hundred pounds. This should be compared with the so-called
low cost system used for BARD in 1980 which consisted of a DEC
LSI 11/03 microcomputer driving a Benson 1202 plotter which
totalled seventeen thousand pounds!
3. To summarise, BARD has been carefully designed to give

the detailer a flexible tool that can deal quickly and
efficiently with so-called 'bread and butter' applications.
BARD cannot produce large general arrangement drawings or some
of the more difficult 'one-offs' since it was felt that these
tasks did not make the most economical use of the computer.
Nevertheless, should the need arise, BARD can be linked with
CAD systems by means of an intermediate plotfile although the
economics of doing so are debatable.
DATA INPUT
4. Input to BARD is usually via a conversational 'questions
and answers' procedure whereby the system builds a datafile,
checking each item against the relevant detailing rule. Most
questions include a default answer which the user may
optionally accept by a single keystroke. These default values
are held in 'Standards Files' which can be modified to suit
the requirements of a particular Code of Practice. Standards
files supplied with the system at present satisfy BS8110. It
is not unusual for users to take as little as four or five
minutes to input the data required for a typical beam span or
slab panel, another five minutes being required to produce the
drawing. In practice detailers can produce 20-30 BARD details
PAPER 1 . H O L L I N G T O N , B A T C H E L O R A N D NOBLE
per day giving an overall efficiency in excess of 10:1 when

compared with manual methods. The resulting output is
presented on an A3 sheet of paper and includes both a fixing
detail and a weighted bar schedule. A typical BARD drawing,
reduced from A3 size, is shown below in Figure 1.
DATE HADE CHKD REVISION DATE HADE CMS REVISION OA-4.2

OB-4.2
OEC 85 REV-4.2
1
REF ' REF ' REF
SE? OWC 21-121.21-122 SEE DVC 21-123
4.623 H I
„ T-41-42 "~V
c f J. l i n k s t n o g
HELIX
"V
A A B 0 D
L75
SU CVC 21-083,21-086
P
SEE ovc v-m
ELEVATION - NOT TO SCALE ELEVATION - NOT TO SCALE ELEVATION - NOT TO SCALE
0 ©
31 32 31 32 91
C" P
K
SCALE A-A 0IA.S00 Q_D 8-300 1 0

t.B3 KALE D - D
1* IS ' D-D 43Q10 L
H-730 « • » l i 19 H.IS5
COVER TO LINKS. 13 COVERS TO LINKS 45 COVER TO LINKS- 20
COVERS TO LINKS 49
SCHEDULE IN AlCCORDANCE WITH 864466(1881) m HH m m VEIGHT.SOCDULE
ITEM HK TYFttSIZE MRS NO.IN.EACH TOTAL LENCTH SHAPE A 9 C T ETR
VERTICAL 11 T23 13 8 104 4X30 20
12 T23 13 8 104 4130 SO
HELIX 16 R6 11 3 63 11030 86 310 100 3310
VERTICAL 31 T23 3 16 48 3673 427 800 300 2340

32 T23 3 6 18 4373 41 800 BOO 0.303
33 T23 3 4 12 1430 41 800 0.160
STARTER S3 T23 3 4 12 1673 20 0.077
HAIN-LINKS 3S R6 3 12 36 8273 60 863 203
37 RE 3 3 X 12 108 730 60 100 BOS
OFFSET-LINKS 41 R6 3 4 12 1873 60 663 209
42 R6 3 4 12 1190 80 863 140
VERTICAL 31 T23 S 10 80 3473 37 BOO

32 T23 B 8 64 4CS3 87 3O0
HAIN-LINKS 96 RS 8 IB 144 1800 60 IS3 919
57 R6 8 18 144 900 89 113 303 90
8 IB 144 1400 60 919
98 R8 as
TOTAL 7.933 0.416

FOR LAYOUT.ETC [FOR ADDITIONAL REINFORCEHENT.ETC
SEE ORAM SEE ORAVINCS
11-001
TELEPHONE! FULHER 2110/2727 P2005 21-1Q5"'
Figure 1
C A D SYSTEMS
The training period for BARD is only two or three days since
the data input is aimed specifically at detailers, no
knowledge of CAD being required.
5. It is very difficult to fully automate r.c. detailing by

feeding design output directly into the detailing system since
most jobs require the expertise of a detailer. However, a
link between BARD and the Ove Arup OASYS design suite is
available for some applications. In these circumstances the
linking software generates BARD data files automatically.
DRAWING OUTPUT
6. In order to make allowance for the very wide range of
plotting devices available today, BARD generates ASCII plot
files from the conversationally produced data files. The user
is then presented with a plot menu from which a device is
selected. Using this procedure, electrostatic printers, flat
bed and drum plotters, dot-matrix printers, laser printers and
a variety of screen graphics devices have been used to produce
BARD drawings. The plotfile is also convenient as a means of
communicating with other drafting systems. Some firms insist
on all plotted output being channelled through a standard
interface which may be linked to their in-house drafting
facility. The economics of insisting that 100% of all drawings
must be produced by the computer is very questionable however
and it often makes more sense to add the odd 5% manually. In
these circumstances, BARD offers a facility whereby information
relating to bars added manually may be included in the weighted
bar-schedule. Alternatively, to deal with elements for which
no BARD program is currently available BARDSHED may be used.
BARD PROGRAMS
7. The BARD system consists of the following suite of ten
programs:-
BEAMS 1 This program details a single beam span, the span

bars and support bars being presented on separate elevations.
The arrangement of bars follow the recommendations set out in
the Concrete Society's "Standard Reinforced Concrete Details",
which state that neither the bottom span bars nor the top span
bars extend to the column. Continuity through the column is
provided by top and bottom support bars which form a splice
with the span bars inside the beam cage. Thus the span cage
can be completely prefabricated and lifted into position
between the edges of support.
BEAMS2 This program details a single beam span where the

support bars can form an integral part of the total beam cage,
allowing bottom bars to lap at supports if required. Laps and
clearances can be achieved by specifying joggled bars.
COLUMNS This program covers columns of square, rectangular
PAPER 1. H O L L I N G T O N , B A T C H E L O R A N D N O B L E
and circular cross-section and caters for cases where the size
of the column above that being detailed has the same or reduced
section. Up to four columns may be detailed on a single A3
sheet.
FLAT SLABS This program covers the detailing of solid

reinforced concrete rectangular flat slab panels which span
between column supports.
SOLID SLABS This program covers the detailing of solid

rectangular concrete slab panels which span between line
supports such as beams or walls. Three types of slab are dealt
with as follows:-
(a) Two-way spanning continuous panels

(b) One-way spanning continuous panels
(c) Single one-way spanning simply supported panels
WAFFLE SLABS This program covers the detailing of reinforced

concrete rectangular waffle slab panels which span between
column or line supports.
TROUGH SLABS This program covers the detailing of reinforced

concrete rectangular trough slab panels which have ribs
spanning in one direction between line supports.
LOADBEARING WALLS This program covers the detailing of wall

panels with openings and solid walls up to 200 metres in
length. Nibs, slab starter bars, spacer bars and links can all
be provided.
PAD BASES & PILE CAPS This program covers the detailing of
rectangular pad bases and rectangular or A-Form pile caps.
Column starters can optionally be provided.
BARDSHED This program is used to schedule elements for which

no BARD program is currently available. It enables the user to
produce bar-schedules more efficiently than by manual methods
and also offers the option of presenting the output in A3
format for compatibility with other BARD programs.
BARD IN ACTION
8. BARD is currently being used in nearly fifty offices
around the country and, to date, more than 50,000 drawings have
been produced.
9. The scale of jobs on which the system has been used vary
from large hospitals to small housing projects. One very
popular application, not considered at the outset, is the
detailing of ground beams for housing schemes where made-up
ground has to be utilised. The data files required by BARD are
very simple in these circumstances and can often be generated
automatically direct from the design phase. Grove Structural
C A D SYSTEMS
Consultants have used this procedure very successfully for a
number of Wimpey Homes projects.
10. Austin Trueman Associates, who have fifteen engineers in

their design team, purchased Beams 1, Beams2 and Bardshed in
April of this year and immediately recovered the costs on a job
consisting of only 74 BARD drawings.
11. Alan Marshall Partnership have used BARD for several

years and have produced in excess of 5000 drawings. Very few
queries are received from site and steel fixers are reported to
like the system since it simplifies their task considerably.
Some of the Alan Marshall projects on which BARD has been used
are listed below:-
Bromsgrove & Redditch District General Hospital

Stoke District General Hospital (Surgical accommodation)
Wordsley Maternity Hospital
Rugby St. Cross Pathology Block
Rugby St. Cross - Phase 3
Leicester Royal Infirmary - Phase 4
Litchfield & Tamworth District General Hospital
King Khalid Mosque - Riyadh
12. Module 2, based at Bridgend, have recently used BARD

successfully on a large car-park at Brighton. Module 2 are
newcomers to BARD but apparently had no difficulty in applying
it to this job, producing 540 drawings via one detailer in a
very short time indeed. They intend using BARD on the adjacent
hotel complex in the near future.
THE FUTURE
13. When you write software which is to be made available
commercially, there is often a conflict of interests between
using the very latest technology and the price at which you can
market the product. There is also a subtle difference between
setting out to produce a saleable package from the outset, and
developing a system for in—house use which you subsequently
decide might be a saleable product.
14. In the former case, particularly with r.c. detailing in

mind, the majority of firms of Consulting Engineers in this
country consist of small practices with about ten personnel
where the Partners are usually reluctant to spend vast sums on
computer programs and equipment.
15. Nevertheless, at the system design stage of BARD, we

were very conscious of the developments going on in the field
of CAD and therefore did a feasibility study to see whether this
was the right approach for r.c. detailing. It rapidly became
clear that 'raw' CAD, used purely as a draughting aid, was not
economical compared with the advantages of a system aimed at one
specific task.
PAPER 1. H O L L I N G T O N , B A T C H E L O R A N D N O B L E
16. A decision was made therefore to design a system
dedicated to r.c. detailing thus getting the maximum benefit
out of the computer at a sensible cost. Great care was taken
however to design the system in such a way that advantage
could be taken of the latest developments in computer
technology. This has proved to be very successful in that our
customers regularly update their equipment knowing that BARD
will still be available to them.
17. With the advent of lower-cost CAD it is tempting to take

advantage of the flexibility built into BARD to link it to some
of these systems. The economics of doing so would make sense
only if a firm already had a CAD system since the combined cost
would otherwise be beyond the reach of most small firms. Even
1
then the end result might be solely 'cosmetic with little or
no cost benefit to the user.
18. The next stage will therefore be to increase the

capability of BARD so that a greater percentage of the total
structure can be detailed with the system. The intention is to
add programs to deal with non-rectangular slabs and staircases
in the near future.
19. In conclusion, detailing reinforcement manually is

likely to be error prone - particularly when producing the
bar-schedule. Computers can certainly help to take the
drudgery out of a large percentage of this work but, even with
the very latest technology, doing the whole job by computer is
questionable. BARD was designed to tackle the straightforward
elements, recognising that the remainder might be produced more
economically by some other means. In the past this has meant
manually, but firms who already have CAD systems may prefer to
integrate BARD with CAD. Thus BARD may be considered to
compliment CAD rather than being in competition with it.
Paper 2. The design and implementation of computer
aided reinforced concrete detailing
T.J. P A R S O N S , BSc, M I C E , F E A L t d , a n d S.P.R. V I N C E N T , M A , MSc,

M I C E , MistructE, Scott W i l s o n K i r k p a t r i c k & Partners
SYNOPSIS. This paper describes the design philosophy and

implementation experience gained in the development of the
GIPSYS computer aided RC detailing system. The question of
2D or 3D is examined with explanations given for the chosen
philosophy of starting with 2D but with 3D aspects, laying
the foundation for future expansion into 3D. The structure
of the RC data, how the associations between details are
handled, and how the integrity of the details is maintained
so that the automatic bar bending schedules can be used with
confidence is discussed.
BACKGROUND AND DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

1. SWK have had considerable involvement in the
development of CAD techniques, and the GIPSYS CAD system, now
marketed and developed by FEA, is the result of over 15 years
work. Although GIPSYS has wide application in many aspects of
civil and structural engineering drawing work the initial
interest in developing such a system came from the structural
engineering departments where it would be used for general
arrangement and reinforced concrete detail drawings.
2. The early methods of producing RC drawings involved
digitizing directly from roughly drafted drawings (ref. 1).
Automatic bar bending schedules were produced but there were
several problems with the accuracy of digitizing and
registration with the concrete outline. These early
developments however provided a sound base of experience from
which a second generation RCD system could be developed.
Rapid advances in graphic screen capabilities mean that input
from drawings fixed to a digitizer has now become
unnecessary.
3. One of the drawbacks of the original system was the
limited types of RC details that could be produced, mainly
slabs and walls. So it was decided from the very outset that
the new RCD system should have no limitation on the type and
complexity of detail that it could produce so that users
would not be discouraged because they could not complete a
detail. This alone proved to be one of most onerous design
requirements for the system.
CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork. Thomas Telford, London, 1987 9
CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork

C A D SYSTEMS
4. One of the major considerations in the design of the

system was whether it should be wholly based on a 3D model.
Whilst such an approach would give many advantages it was
decided that such a concept was only viable where the model
was a simple one or where a large amount of time could be
spent in defining the model. However in civil/structural
engineering structures are rarely straightforward and as they
are almost always "one off" the luxury of spending a long
time defining, designing and drawing them cannot be afforded.
It was therefore decided not to dive headlong into attempting
to define a 3D model with 3D RC details.
5. A better approach was considered to be to provide a
system which could draw any RC detail required of it from the
very simple to the very complex but to design it in such a
way that in the future the straightforward elements in an RCD
structure such as beams, columns and slabs could be detailed
automatically straight from a design module or from some form
of parameterized reinforcement arrangement with the complex
detail being completed by the standard detailing features of
the system.
6. An important consideration in the design of the system
was that it should, as closely as possible, reflect the
methods and terminology used in traditional detailing methods
whilst not overlooking opportunities to modify this approach
to take advantage of the computer environment. Considerable
effort has therefore been put into making the system an 'RC
Detailing System* rather than merely a drafting system which
is capable of stitching symbols and text together to resemble
RC details.
7. In order for the system to be able to deal with any
type of RC detail it had to be able to cope with any shape of
bar. The approach therefore was to develop a method for
defining a reinforcing bar of any shape which would naturally
include all those defined in BS4466 (ref. 2 ) . There are
certain bar bending rules to be adhered to in shape
definition but these can be applied generally to any shape,
such as minimum bend radii, and minimum distance between
bends etc. In addition to automatic checks intelligence can
be built into the shape code definitions, for example, to
warn the detailer if a dimension exceeds some important
value. Much of the information used in the system is defined
externally in a user modifiable data file, which enables the
system to be tailored to the individual requirements of a
particular organisation or project.
DATA STRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION
External data
8. Many of the parameters which specify the drafting style
are defined in the external data file. Examples of these
parameters include the lettering sizes and pen thicknesses
for each part of the details, the method of numbering
variable bar marks, and the layout and headings to be used
10

PAPER 2. PARSONS A N D V I N C E N T
for the bending schedules. Standard parameter values such as

concrete covers and lap lengths can also be defined for use
in calculations.
9. All of the information about the shape codes used by
GIPSYS RCD is also defined externally from the program code.
This information starts with tables defining the minimum bend
radii, bob lengths, and hook lengths for the steel types and
bar diameters which are to be used. The definition of each
shape code which follows is sufficient to construct an
accurate three dimensional drawing of any bar, although the
majority of shapes can actually be defined in two dimensions.
Standard geometrical checks are carried out automatically on
every bar, and additional checks to detect specific errors or
issue standard warnings can easily be added to the shape code
f
definitions. All shape 99 s must be fully specified as
additional shape codes. This makes sure that all bars
?
including shape 99 s are properly checked and accurately
drawn.
Storage of details
10. All of the details relating to one drawing are stored
in a single file, and the software and data structure are
designed to maintain the integrity of this RCD details file
under any circumstances. If a power failure occurs, or the
computer runs out of disk space, or any other catastrophe
occurs, the working session can later be resumed without any
danger of the data being corrupted, and without losing the
work carried out before the failure.
11. The RCD detail file is divided into two main parts,
the bar mark table and the reinforcement details. The bar
mark table contains the steel type, bar diameter, shape code
and dimensions of every bar mark which appears on the
drawing.
12. The reinforcement details are subdivided into groups,
where each group represents a structural element, such as a
beam or a bay of slab. Each group appears separately on the
bending schedule. Groups may be repeated or multiplied for
similar bays of slab or identical beams or other elements.
13. Each bar may be drawn in as many places as the details
require, for instance a bar may occur in several sections as
well as the main plan or elevation. All of the drawings of a
single bar are associated together, so that it is possible to
check that every drawing of a bar is associated with a callup
on the finished drawing.
14. Regularly repeated bars may be indicated using
ladders. A ladder may be straight or radial, and can appear
in a variety of forms for different types of detail. Ladders
can also be used to indicate ranges of variable bar marks
(Figs. 1-2).
15. Every bar on the completed drawing must be associated
with a callup. The callup always indicates the number of
bars, the steel type and diameter of the bar, and the
corresponding bar mark. It may also contain the pitch of a
11

C A D SYSTEMS
fixed pitch ladder, position information such as

reinforcement layer numbers, and any further annotation which
the detailer wishes to add (Fig. 2 ) .
Detailing method
16. Before any detailing can start, a suitable background
drawing on which the details can be constructed must be
prepared using the standard GIPSYS drafting system (ref. 3 ) .
Each element of the drawing is constructed accurately in full
size co-ordinates, so that the dimensions of bars can later
be measured directly from the background. The plans,
elevations, and sections which form the drawing are then
assembled at appropriate scales and positions using the
GIPREG drawing register system. Parts of plans used at one
scale for general arrangement drawings may be windowed and
used at different scales for reinforcement drawings.
17. All standard BS4466 shape codes are available on the
digitizer menu used to issue commands, while non-standard
shape 99 codes are typed in at the keyboard. The dimensions
of each bar mark can either be entered directly as numeric
values, or measured as distances from the background drawing.
Whenever values are input using GIPSYS RCD, they can be
modified using the standard parameter values defined in the
external data, such as cover dimensions or lap lengths.
18. The input dimensions are automatically checked as
specified in the external shape code definitions, and any
warnings or errors are reported before proceeding any
further. A three dimensional model of the bar is then
constructed, according to the shape code definition. Further
checks of minimum bend radius and minimum straight lengths
are carried out during this process.
19. The bar is then displayed "floating" on the
workstation display, and can be mirrored and rotated in three
dimensions to obtain the required elevation of the bar.
20. Blobs and crosses are added automatically to indicate
changes of direction which are not visible, according to
standard detailing practice. All bends and lengths are drawn
accurately to scale, and the bar can be drawn as a double
line showing its actual width for fitting together complex
details. Bars can either be positioned accurately relative
to the background outlines, or they can be floated and placed
in approximate positions.
21. Where bars are regularly repeated, as for slab
reinforcement or links in a beam, ladders are added to
indicate the position and extent of the repetition. Ladders
may include several extents of bars with different pitches
and changes of direction if required. These features allow a
single ladder to indicate bars in several bays of a slab, or
different spacings of links in a single beam, or to follow an
upstand around the edges of a hole.
22. Sections are constructed by adding further drawings of
the appropriate bars to the section outlines. Bar mark
annotation can then be added to identify bars drawn in
12

12T10-40-200 B (PCR 1950)

12T10-41-200 T (PC* 1950)
10T10-42(«-«)-2OO 5T»5B
1 No. GROUPt PART PERIMETER SLAB
Fig. 1. Radial bars and ladders
9T12-113-125
6T12-123(o-M-125 hF
122
124a
" 8T16-104-125
UT16-112(a-n>-125 NF
UT16-111(u-n)-125 FF
9T16-105 » 9T16-106-125 AB
4T16-103 » 4T16-102-125 AB 124*
111a
1 No. GROUP WINGWALL A

:
SECTION A-A
Fig. 2. Typical complex detail produced by GIPSYS RCD
section or the end of bars which overlap, as in,Fig. 2. This

annotation is associated with the bar itself, and is
automatically deleted if the bar is later deleted.
23. The basic information contained in the callup for a
bar is generated automatically, while extra information can
be added to indicate bar positions. For certain types of
position information, the total number of bars will be
multiplied according to standard conventions, for insjtanqe^
13

C A D SYSTEMS
the total will be doubled if the same bar occurs in two

layers. Several special types of callup are available in
association with ladders, including variable bar mark callups
and alternate bars along a ladder.
Copy files
24. One very powerful feature is the use of GIPSYS RCD
copy files to copy reinforcement details. Any details, from
a single bar to a fully detailed group complete with its
callups and sections may be copied out to an RCD copy file.
This copy file contains a copy of the bar mark information
for every bar copied, as well as the visible details. The
file may then be copied back either to a different part of
the same drawing, or to a completely different drawing. The
details may be mirrored or rotated to any angle before being
placed back on the drawing, and the software will
automatically rotate and shift each item of text to maintain
meaningful details.
25. When copying between drawings, the details of every
bar mark in the copy file are automatically checked against
the corresponding bar mark in the detail drawing bar mark
table before the details are added. Alternatively, at the
detailer's request, the computer will automatically renumber
every bar mark in the copy file to a new bar mark in the bar
mark cable, and then every occurrence of each bar mark in the
callups and annotation will be renumbered to match.
Editing details
26. An important practical requirement for computerised
reinforced concrete detailing is that comprehensive and
straightforward editing facilities must be available. If the
details can easily be revised at the computer terminal, it is
possible to carry out the majority of the detailing process
at the computer terminal rather than just tracing completed
draft details onto the computer.
27. GIPSYS RCD includes comprehensive editing facilities
which are readily available at all times, even during the
initial input of details. Whenever details are edited, the
software ensures that details cannot become inconsistent or
incomplete as a result of the editing operation.
Bending schedule
28. The bending schedule is extracted directly from the
callups which are visible on the completed drawing, and hence
it is always consistent with the plotted drawing. As the
computer searches the details for callups, it also checks
that every drawing of a bar is associated with a callup.
29. Bar marks are totalled and sorted into order for each
group. The headings and notes which appear on the schedule
can be adjusted using external data, and the schedule can
either be printed on standard computer forms, or on A4 pages
in a format based on the layout specified in BS4466.
14

PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
30. Whilst every attempt was made at the design stage of
the system to cover all requirements it was felt inevitable
that modifications and further developments would be
necessary in the light of user experience. The modular
design of the system allowed ideas to be modified and
enhanced as it was developed.
31. One of the most difficult problems to solve has been
that of permitting some form of draftmans' licence but at the
same time maintaining the integrity of the bar bending
schedule. In certain cases it is impossible to draw
reinforcement bars to the correct scale and/or in the correct
position and maintain clarity.
32. The dimension and accuracy of the bars is always
maintained because the dimensions are calculated and stored
in a table of bar marks. Therefore it doesn't matter what
view of the bar is drawn as the dimensions for scheduling
still remain correct. Although it is intended to include
facilities in the system to adjust the drawn size of the bars
1
the desired result has been achieved by the users by simply
rotating the bar in three dimensions so that the projected
view is the right size.
33. Another problem was that of positioning the tags
marking the ladder extents. This was solved by first
accurately defining the ladder extents from which the number
of bars/pitch calculation is done and then allowing the ends
to be moved by a maximum specified amount but without
altering the number of bars. The amount by which the extent
can be edited is controlled by a factor held in the external
data file.
34. The original design of the system required a bar to be
placed on the drawing and then the callup added immediately
afterwards. User experience showed that it was necessary to
be able to lay bars out and then add callups later. This
generated the need for a facility to tell the user which bars
did not have callups associated with them.
35. Editing can often be quite extensive on a RC drawing.
Initially a bar had to be deleted and redrawn if a dimension
or the diameter changed, the idea being that the drawn
dimensions, especially the bend radii and bob lengths would
remain correct. However for small dimension changes this
became irritating and time consuming especially as the
detailer felt that the drawn view of the bar was adequate. To
overcome this problem facilities were added to allow a bar
dimension to be changed without requiring a redraw. The
amount by which the dimension can be changed is controlled by
a factor in the external data file. If so desired redraws
can be made compulsory by making the allowable amount of
alteration zero. A dimension change only affects the
schedule, however a bar diameter change affects the callups
on the drawing so facilities had to be added so that if a
bar's diameter was changed then all the callups would be
automatically changed.
15

C A D SYSTEMS
f f
36. As the bar bending schedule is a valuable free
product of the detailing process every effort has been made
to maintain the integrity of the schedule. Ideally it should
only be necessary to check the drawing and take the schedule
1
as being correct as it has been 'automatically produced. In
practice this is not entirely true. Dimensional checks on
bar marks are required as the detailer could have chosen a
view of a bar such as to 'hide* its true size. However
numbers of members and numbers of bars can be relied on.
37. Also in an effort to prevent 'corruption' the callup
annotation has had to be strictly controlled so that only a
fixed set of bar placing texts can be used. For example 'EF'
implies twice as many bars so the system needs to know this
to correctly calculate the number of bars. The detailer is
allowed to add further annotation to a callup, however it is
deliberately enclosed in brackets so that the checker knows
that the system cannot have checked for any implication on
the calculated number of bars.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
38. As already stated it was a deliberate decision not to
launch immediately into 3D, however certain design features
have allowed for further development into 3D. All bars are
three dimensionally defined and by the addition of a third
placement dimension it will be possible to create automatic
cross-sections.
39. It is already possible in the system to copy
arrangements of bars within a drawing and from drawing to
drawing and it would be of great benefit to have
parameterized arrangements of bars to enable speedier
detailing of the simpler elements. The ability to add bar
arrangements created elsewhere to the drawing currently being
detailed, with full checking of bar marks to prevent
duplication, has enabled links with design to be considered.
It is envisaged that many details will be generated by design
programs and added directly to the drawing with any complex
detail being completed by the standard facilities within the
system. This will no doubt lead one day to the engineer
being able to define a complex structure in 3D with the
design and detailing being automatically carried through to
the construction drawings but very importantly with the
engineer having full control over all stages of the process.
REFERENCES
1. WILLIAMS G.M.J. and PARSONS T.J. A computer aided
drafting system for detailing reinforced concrete. The
Structural Engineer, November 1980, Volume 58A, No. 11.
2. BS4466. Specification for bending dimensions and
scheduling of reinforcement for concrete, London, British
Standard Institution 1981.
3. PARSONS T.J. GIPSYS - a CAD system developed by a user.
The Structural Engineer, January 1985, Volume 63A, No. 1.
16

Paper 3. Reinforced concrete detailing and 3D modelling
M. RICHARDS, Laing Technology Group
SYNOPSIS. T h i s p a p e r o u t l i n e s t h e uses t o w h i c h CAD has

been p u t w i t h i n t h e L a i n g o r g a n i s a t i o n . I t t a k e s one
s p e c i f i c a r e a o f a p p l i c a t i o n , RC D e t a i l i n g and d e s c r i b e s i n
d e t a i l t h e c a p a b i l i t i e s o f t h e s y s t e m as d e v e l o p e d b y L a i n g
and C o m p u t e r v i s i o n I n c .
1 I n 1975 John L a i n g p u r c h a s e d a C o m p u t e r v i s i o n CADDS3

computer a i d e d d e s i g n and d r a f t i n g s y s t e m t o c a r r y o u t
i n v e s t i g a t i o n s i n t o t h e use o f CAD i n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n
e n g i n e e r i n g and b u i l d i n g e n v i r o n m e n t .
2 The a r e a o f i n v e s t i g a t i o n was computer a i d e d d e s i g n and

p r i c i n g , t h e emphasis t o be on t h e d e s i g n , i n a r c h i t e c t u r a l
and s t r u c t u r a l t e r m s , and t h e i n i t i a l and f i n a l p r i c i n g o f
t h a t d e s i g n . The i n i t i a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n s showed t h a t we needed
t o gain experience f o r the type of a p p l i c a t i o n envisaged.
The s y s t e m was u s e d s u c c e s s f u l l y as a d e s i g n and d r a f t i n g
t o o l w i t h real cost v i a b i l i t y .
3 I n 1986, because o f t h e l a c k o f t h e r i g h t t y p e of
a p p l i c a t i o n s o f t w a r e L a i n g d e c i d e d t o d e v e l o p t h e i r own,
based on p a s t e x p e r i e n c e o f some t w e n t y y e a r s w i t h c o m p u t e r s
and e l e v e n y e a r s o f u s i n g CAD.
4 The d e v e l o p m e n t s b e i n g c a r r i e d o u t j o i n t l y b y L a i n g
D e s i g n and E l s t r e e Computing L t d . , t h e s o f t w a r e d e v e l o p m e n t
company w i t h i n t h e L a i n g G r o u p , a r e : -
a) 3D MODELLING AND REINFORCED CONCRETE DETAILING.
b) DIGITAL GROUND MODELLING.
c) HIGHWAY DESIGN.
d) SITE ENGINEERING.
e) DRAINAGE.
Downloaded by [ Nanyang Technological University] on [15/10/17]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
C A D SYSTEMS
5 The r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e d e t a i l i n g s o f t w a r e was f i r s t
d e v e l o p e d i n 1976 as a 2 . 1 / 2 D d e t a i l i n g s y s t e m . The c u r r e n t
s y s t e m i s based on o u r e x p e r i e n c e s o f u s i n g t h e o r i g i n a l
v e r s i o n and e n h a n c i n g i t t o a f u l l 3D v e r s i o n .
The b a s i s o f t h e s y s t e m i s a 3D s t r u c t u r a l m o d e l l i n g system
w i t h an i n t e l l i g e n t d a t a - b a s e .
6 A u t o m a t i c checks b u i l t i n t o t h e s y s t e m a l l o w s for:
a) Concrete covers.
b) N a t i o n a l Code r e q u i r e m e n t s ( t e n s i o n and
compression laps e t c )
c) B e n d i n g and c u t t i n g t o l e r a n c e s .
d) Automatic scheduling.
e) Automatic w e i g h t i n g .
7 The s y s t e m i s f u l l y f l e x i b l e and n o t r e s t r i c t e d t o
s t a n d a r d e l e m e n t s , beams, c o l u m n s , s l a b s b u t a l l o w s f o r any
3D g e o m e t r i c a l shape t h a t can be d e f i n e d w i t h i n t h e m o d e l l i n g
system.
8 F u t u r e development o f t h e system w i l l a l l o w t h e d e s i g n
p r o c e s s t o be c a r r i e d o u t f r o m a r c h i t e c t u r a l c o n c e p t i o n
t h r o u g h i n t e r a c t i v e s t r u c t u r a l a n a l y s i s and d e s i g n t o t h e
f i n a l a u t o m a t i c o r semi a u t o m a t i c d e t a i l i n g p r o c e s s .
R.C.DETAILING
1. The use o f CAD w i t h i n t h e ABC ( A r c h i t e c t , B u i l d i n g ,

C i v i l ) i n d u s t r y has t a k e n , a n d i s t a k i n g many y e a r s t o r e a l l y
make an i m p a c t upon t h e way i n w h i c h we w o r k and t h i n k .
2. C o m p u t e r s , g e n e r a l l y i n t h e B u i l d i n g and C i v i l
E n g i n e e r i n g a c t i v i t i e s have been used f o r many y e a r s b u t have
been l i m i t e d t o t h e l a r g e a n a l y t i c a l number c r u n c h i n g
a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e management and c o m m e r c i a l n e e d , of those
organisations
3. T r u l y i n t e r a c t i v e computing a l l o w i n g the designer a

s i n g l e t o o l t o e x p r e s s and a n a l y s e t h e d e s i g n r e q u i r e m e n t s o f
any p r o j e c t and t o p r o d u c e as an end p r o d u c t t h e 2D
c o m m u n i c a t i o n c a p a b i l i t y , d r a w i n g s and c a l c u l a t i o n , have n o t
been f u l l y a d o p t e d .
4. The a c t i v i t i e s o f d e s i g n have always and s t i l l a r e seen

as d i s c r e t e a c t i v i t i e s , computers o r c a l c u l a t o r s t o c a r r y o u t
computation, pen and p a p e r t o l a b o u r o u s l y w r i t e down t h e
r e s u l t s and t o e x p l a i n t h e method o f c a l c u l a t i o n and p e n c i l s
and d r a w i n g s t o communicate t o t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n s i t e t h e
actual b u i l d i n g requirements.
18
PAPER 3. R I C H A R D S
5 R e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e d e t a i l i n g and t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f
b e n d i n g s c h e d u l e i s one s u c h d i s c r e t e a c t i v i t y t h a t has been
s i n g l e d o u t f o r development u s i n g i n t e r a c t i v e computing
methods.
6. To d e v e l o p an e l e c t r o n i c method o f r e p r o d u c i n g R.C.
d r a w i n g s has t o t h e l a r g e r p a r t o n l y r e s u l t e d i n t h e
development o f d r a u g h t i n g systems and has n o t t a k e n i n t o
a c c o u n t t h e w h o l e p r o c e d u r e t h a t e n a b l e s t h e R.C. d r a w i n g t o
be p r o d u c e d .
7. The R.C. d e t a i l i n g d r a w i n g i s t h e end p r o d u c t i n a

chain of a c t i v i t i e s of design, covering the A r c h i t e c t u r a l
c o n c e p t , t h e s t r u c t u r a l a n a l y s i s and d e s i g n and t h e
p o s i t i o n i n g o f space and s e r v i c e s t o p r o d u c e t h e r e q u i r e d
building.
8. I n i t s own r i g h t t h e RC d e t a i l i s dependent upon t h e

method o f a n a l y s i s , and t h e d e s i g n p r o c e s s has t o c o n f o r m t o
a s e t o f r u l e s and r e g u l a t i o n s g o v e r n e d by N a t i o n a l Codes and
good e n g i n e e r i n g p r a c t i c e . A t t h e end o f t h i s p r o c e s s , t h e
RC d e t a i l has t o be checked t o see i f i t c o n f o r m s t o t h e
codes o f p r a c t i c e and has been i n t e r p r e t e d c o r r e c t l y f r o m t h e
t h e o r e t i c a l design requirements.
9. To a l l o w a l l o f t h e s e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o be c a r r i e d o u t
we must d e v e l o p systems t h a t can c h e c k , b a c k w a r d and
f o r w a r d , t h e d e t a i l i n g a c t i v i t y so t h a t a b e t t e r p r o d u c t i s
p r o d u c e d and i s cheaper and more e f f i c i e n t i n o v e r a l l t e r m s .
I f we c a n n o t , t h e n one s h o u l d s t i c k t o t h e d r a w i n g b o a r d and
n o r m a l m e t h o d s , as t h i s w i l l be f o u n d t o be cheaper t h a n
c a r r y i n g o u t t h e same manual a c t i v i t y , w i t h e x p e n s i v e
computing equipment.
10. To t r y t o s a t i s f y t h e g l o b a l use o f c o m p u t i n g as i t s
r e l a t e s t o RC d e t a i l i n g L a i n g D e s i g n and E l s t r e e C o m p u t i n g
Ltd j o i n t venture w i t h Computervision I n c have d e v e l o p e d a
system t h a t encompasses t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e above
requirements.
1 1 . The s y s t e m has been d e v e l o p e d , t o i n c r e a s e t h e power o f

the drawing requirements such, t h a t the c a l c u l a t i o n s of bar
l e n g t h s , t h e w e i g h t s , s c h e d u l i n g and c h e c k i n g a g a i n s t
r e l e v a n t codes o f p r a c t i c e i s a u t o m a t i c . Apart from the time
savings achieved i n the drawing requirement, the n e c e s s i t y t o
check s c h e d u l e s a g a i n s t d r a w i n g s has been c o m p l e t e l y
removed. The c h e c k i n g p r o c e d u r e n o r m a l l y a c c o u n t s f o r some
30% o f t h e o v e r a l l d r a w i n g p r o d u c t i o n t i m e and i s a
s i g n i f i c e n t cost saving.
12. T h i s has been a c h i e v e d , by u s i n g t h e C o m p u t e r v i s i o n 3D

m o d e l l i n g s y s t e m SMS as t h e b a s i s f o r g e n e r a t i n g t h e 3D
s t r u c t u r a l e l e m e n t s o f t h e i t e m s t o be d e t a i l e d .
19
C A D SYSTEMS
THE STRUCTURAL MODEL
1. The s t r u c t u r e m o d e l l i n g s y s t e m i s based on e l e m e n t s
r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e s t r u c t u r a l members:-
(1) Cols
(2) Beams
(3) Slabs
(4) Walls
2. G r a p h i c a l l y and m a t h e m a t i c a l t h e s e a r e b y c l o s e d
p o l y g o n a l s t r i n g s r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e b o u n d i n g s u r f a c e s o f each
element.
3. I n t h e n o r m a l s i t u a t i o n , a beam f o r i n s t a n c e , i s seen
as 6 No s u r f a c e s . The s y s t e m however i s n o t l i m i t e d t o
r e c t i l i n i e r shapes b u t can be d e f i n e d as p r i s m s whose c r o s s
s e c t i o n s can be any p o l y g o n a l s h a p e .
4. F o r ease o f i n s e r t i o n , we i n s e r t e l e m e n t s i n the form

o f beams, s l a b s , c o l u m n s , h o l e s e t c .
5. The e l e m e n t s may be p o s i t i o n e d as 3D e l e m e n t s i n 3D
spaces b y use o f v e c t o r and r o t a t i o n a l commands.
6. J u n c t i o n s between t h e e l e m e n t s , beam, c o l u m n s , s l a b
j u n c t i o n s a r e a u t o m a t i c a l l y c l e a n e d up b y t h e s y s t e m , t o
r e p r e s e n t g r a p h i c a l l y a t r u e 3D s o l i d o b j e c t n o t a s e r i e s o f
2D e l e m e n t s v i e w e d f r o m d i f f e r e n t a n g l e s . I n a d d i t i o n h i d d e n
l i n e r e m o v a l f r o m t h e v i e w p o s i t i o n i s an a u t o m a t i c f u n c t i o n .
7. The s u r f a c e o f t h e e l e m e n t s may be p i c k e d u p , by
d i g i t i s i n g , and a r e u s e d as t h e r e f e r e n c e s u r f a c e s when
p o s i t i o n i n g reinforcement w i t h i n the elements.
8. A t p r e s e n t t h e s y s t e m s t a r t s by m a n u a l l y i n s e r t i n g t h e
e l e m e n t s i n t o t h e i r c o r r e c t 3D s p a c e , t o r e p r e s e n t a b u i l d i n g
or s t r u c t u r e .
9. T h i s p r o c e s s c o u l d be c a r r i e d o u t a u t o m a t i c a l l y as
p a r t o f a f r a m e a n a l y s i s and d e s i g n p r o c e s s , b u t f u r t h e r w o r k
has y e t t o be c o m p l e t e d t o e n a b l e t h i s t o be a r e a l i t y .
10. The p r o c e s s i t s e l f i s i n f a c t q u i t e f e a s i b l e , i f we
use some o f t h e c u r r e n t l y a v a i l a b l e c o m p u t i n g method a l r e a d y
on t h e m a r k e t .
11. F o r i n s t a n c e , i n s t e a d o f i n s e r t i n g t h e beam, s l a b and

column e l e m e n t s , i t w o u l d be p o s s i b l e t o d e r i v e t h e main
s t r u c t u r a l model f r o m t h e c o n c e p t u a l a r c h i t e c t u r a l m o d e l .
12. I f we t a k e a f r a m e a n a l y s i s p r o g r a m s u c h as S s t r e s s ,
we can d e f i n e a w i r e model r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e s t r u c t u r a l
20
PAPER 3. RICHARDS
elements and g e n e r a t e t h i s g r a p h i c a l l y . Onto t h i s w i r e

f r a m e , t h e d e s i g n e r c o u l d impose t h e l o a d i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s ,
floor loading, wall loadings, p o i n t l o a d s o r impose t h e
r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r l i v e l o a d and w i n d l o a d s e t c . ,
13. These l o a d s c o u l d be c o l l a t e d w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o t h e
d e s i g n e r s r e q u i r e m e n t s and u s e d as i n p u t t o t h e a n a l y s i s
p r o g r a m e s . T h i s a u t o m a t i c c o l l a t i o n o f l o a d i n g s w o u l d be f a r
f a s t e r t h a n t y p i n g i n l o a d i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s t o an a n a l y s i s
p r o g r a m e , as i s n o r m a l i n t h e m a j o r i t y o f c a s e s .
14. The d e s i g n e r c o u l d g u i d e t h e s y s t e m t o c a r r y o u t t h e
t y p e o f a n a l y s i s r e q u i r e d i n t e r m s o f f u l l frame a n a l y s i s ,
c o n t i n u o u s beams, one way o r t w o way s p a n n i n g s l a b s e t c . ,
15. The r e s u l t s o f t h e a n a l y s i s can be g r a p h i c a l l y

r e p r e s e n t e d on t h e w i r e frame m o d e l , i n t h e f o r m o f b e n d i n g
moment d i a g r a m and s h e a r f o r c e d i a g r a m . From t h i s a n a l y s i s
t h e d e s i g n e r c o u l d t h e n use t h e s y s t e m t o d e s i g n t h e member
s i z e s s and o u t p u t t h e r e i n f o r c e m e n t r e q u i r e m e n t s .
16. The s i z e s o f each member c o u l d t h e n be a p p l i e d t o t h e

w i r e frame model and t h e t r u e 3D o b j e c t p r o d u c e d
a u t o m a t i c a l l y w i t h v e r y l i t t l e f u r t h e r i n p u t by t h e d e s i g n e r .
17. The r e i n f o r c e m e n t c o u l d be i n s e r t e d a u t o m a t i c a l l y
w i t h a d d i t i o n a l c o n s t r u c t i o n r e i n f o r c e m e n t added b y t h e u s e r .
18. T h i s s i t u a t i o n has n o t y e t been d e v e l o p e d b u t w i t h

t h e new m o d e l i n g c a p a b i l i t i e s i t w i l l n o t be l o n g .
DRAWING OUTLINES
1. F o r t h e p u r p o s e s o f d r a w i n g p r o d u c t i o n s each e l e m e n t
may be d i s p l a y e d i n d i v i d u a l l y as r e q u i r e d f o r n o r m a l d r a w i n g
p r a c t i c e s . As a p l a n f o r s l a b s o r i n e l e v a t i o n s f o r i t e m s
such as beams.
2. S e c t i o n s t h r o u g h t h e e l e m e n t t o be d e t a i l e d a r e
g e n e r a t e d a t any p o s i t i o n as i n d i c a t e d b y t h e u s e r
automatically. S e c t i o n marks on t h e p l a n and e l e v a t i o n s a r e
p o s i t i o n e d a u t o m a t i c a l l y , a s a r e t h e s e c t i o n numbers u n d e r
each s e c t i o n g e n e r a t e d . The s e c t i o n s , a r e n o t i n d i v i d u a l
d r a w i n g s , b u t a r e i n f a c t v i e w p o i n t s on t h e 3- d i m e n s i o n a l
m o d e l , such t h a t any change t o t h e model i s a u t o m a t i c a l l y
r e f l e c t e d i n the sections.
3. We have a l r e a d y m e n t i o n e d t h e c a p a b i l i t y o f a u t o m a t i c
l i n e removal, i n a d d i t i o n , w i t h i n t h e d e t a i l i n g package,
h i d d e n l i n e s a r e a u t o m a t i c a l l y g e n e r a t e d w i t h a dashed l i n e
t o r e p r e s e n t i t e m s on t h e f a r s i d e o f t h e main e l e m e n t s . For
21
C A D SYSTEMS
p l o t t i n g p u r p o s e s t h e t h e e l e m e n t s and s e c t i o n s a r e
a u t o m a t i c a l l y g e n e r a t e d on s e p a r a t e l a y e r s s u c h , t h a t
d i f f e r e n t pen t h i c k n e s s can be used - say .2 f o r h i d d e n l i n e s
. 4 f o r l i n e s i n e l e v a t i o n s and .5 o r .6 f o r t h e l i n e s
r e p r e s e n t i n g the sectioned elements.
R.C.DETAILING
1. The r e i n f o r c e d d e t a i l i n g s y s t e m i s based upon t h r e e

e x t e r n a l p a r a m e t e r f i l e s t h a t can be u s e r d e f i n e d .
(a) Code o f P r a c t i c e P a r a m e t e r s .
(b) Project Specification.
(c) Bar shape P a r a m e t e r F i l e .
Code o f p r a c t i c e p a r a m e t e r file.
2. The code o f p r a c t i c e p a r a m e t e r f i l e a l l o w s t h e u s e r t o
d e f i n e t h e s e i t e m s w i t h any p a r t i c u l a r code o f p r a c t i c e , t h a t
he w i s h e s t o be checked d u r i n g t h e d e t a i l i n g p r o c e s s .
(a) Bar D i a m e t e r .
(b) Type o f Bar ( H i g h T e n s i l e M i l d S t e e l )
(c) Minimum S p a c i n g s .
(d) Bar B e n d i n g R e q u i r e m e n t s .
(e) Minimum b a r l e n g t h s .
(f) Dimensional Tolerances
(Bending Tolerances 4)
(g) T e n s i o n Laps Compression Laps e t c . ,
Cutting Tolerances.
3. This i s not a f u l l list, b u t an i n d i c a t i o n o f the

types of requirements.
4. The P a r a m e t e r f i l e has been made u s e r d e f i n a b l e , t o

a l l o w t h e s y s t e m t o be used w i t h any n a t i o n a l code r a t h e r
t h a n h a r d coded t o o n e .
5. Even i n t h e UK we d e t a i l t o d i f f e r e n t N a t i o n a l codes
d e p e n d i n g on t h e a r e a s i n t h e w o r l d i n w h i c h we have
contracts. Bar d i a m e t e r f o r i n s t a n c e , may be s p e c i f i e d i n
r e a l terms f o r p o s i t i o n i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s , but o u t p u t i n
nominal terms f o r s c h e d u l i n g purposes.
6. I t a l s o a l l o w s f o r n a t i o n a l r e q u i r e m e n t s as used by
t h e USA (# 3) f o r c a l l ups by u s i n g t h e a c t u a l d i a m e t e r f o r
c a l c u l a t i o n purposes.
7. A f u l l l i s t o f t e n s i o n and c o m p r e s s i o n l a p s can be
s t a t e d , d e p e n d i n g on s t e e l s t r e n g t h , c o n c r e t e s t r e n g t h s , and
f o r l a p s t o be used f o r s p e c i a l r e q u i r e m e n t s - w a t e r
r e t a i n i n g s t r u c t u r e s and f o r a g g r e s s i v e e n v i r o n m e n t s .
22
PAPER 3. RICHARDS
3 f ***********
5!* CODE OF PRACTICE PARAMETERS
6!*
7!*
8!*
9t* Note!!! O n l y P a r a m e t e r V a l u e s may be a l t e r e d .
10!*
T TPTfTf TfTTTfWTfTPTf
12!*
>!* No
Type Value Despription
15!**
16! 01 T B Standard (B,G,A,F,)
17! 02 F 40.0 Minimum S t e e l C o v e r .
18! 03 F 50.0 Minimum Bar S p a c i n g .
19! 04 F 1000.0 Maximum Bar S p a c i n g .
20!*
21J*** A l l o w a b l e S t e e l Types
22!*
23! 100 T R S t e e l Type No 1 (Grade
250 P l a i n B a r s )
24! 101 T T S t e e l Type No 2 (Grade
4 6 0 Deformed B a r s )
25! 102 T 0 S t e e l Type No 3 ( N o t
a V a l i d S t e e l Type)
26!*
2 7 ! * * * Hook a l l o w a n c e T a b l e f o r S t e e l Type No. 1.
28!*
29! 110 I.F 6,100.0
30! 111 I.F 8,100.0
31! 112 I.F 10,100.0
32! 113 I.F 12,110.0
33! 114 I.F 16,150.0
34! 115 1,F 20,180.0
35! 116 I,F 25,230.0
36! 117 I.F 32,290.0
37! 118 I.F 40,360.0
38! 119 I,F 50,450.0
39! 120 I.F 0,0.000
40! 121 I.F 0,0.000
41! 122 I.F 0,0.000
42! 123 I.F 0,0.000
43! 124 I.F 0,0.000
44! 125 I,F 0,0.000
45!*
4 6 ! * * r* Bend A l l o w a n c e T a b l e f o r s t e e l Type No 1.
47!*
4 8 ! * 130 I.F 6,100.0
49! 131 I.F 8,100.0
50! 132 I.F 10,100.0
51! 133 I.F 12,100.0
52! 134 I,F 16,100.0
53! 135 I.F 20,100.0
23
C A D SYSTEMS
CONTRACT PARAMETERS
8!*
9!* Note ! ! ! Only parameter v a l u e s may be altered.
10!*
11f * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
12!*
13!***************************************************
14!* NO Type Value Description
16!*
17!*** Layer A l l o c a t i o n
18!*** ( - 1 Denotes a c t i v e c o n s t r u c t i o n layer)
121!101 T M * D a t a base b n i t s
122!102 T MM * User c o m m u n i c a t i o n u n i t s
123!103 F 0.001 * Unit conversion factor
124!* N.B. A l l numbers i n p u t b y t h e u s e r w i l l be
m u l t i p l e d by t h i s f a c t o r .
125!*
126!104 F 0.025 * Length rounding constant

i n DB U n i t s .
127!105 F 0.005 * Bar p a r a m e t e r r o u n d i n g
c o n s t a n t i n DB u n i t s .
128!106 I 2 * No o f b a r d i a m e t e r s f o r
i n t e r n a l radius
129!*
130!107 1 3 * No o f b a r d i a m e t e r s for
131!* * ( S t e e l t y p e No 2
<= p a r a m e t e r 205)
132!108 1 4 * No o f b a r d i a m e t e r s for
133!* * ( S t e e l t y p e No. 2>
p a r a m e t e r 205
134!*
135!109 F 2.0 * D e f a u l t bar l a b e l t e x t
h e i g h t (DB U n i t s )
136!110 F 6.0 * Bar e x t e n t l i n e s
(DB U n i t s )
137!Ill F 1.75 * Bar e x t e n t a r r o w s i z e
(DB U n i t s )
138!112 F 1.25 * Bar e x t e n t s q u a r e symbol
s i z e (DB U n i t s )
139!*
140!115 F 0.025 * Bar space r o u n d i n g
c o n s t a n t i n (DB u n i t s )
141!116 F 12000.0 * Maximum Bar l e n g t h
142!*
143!*** Table o f nominal t o a c t u a l bar diameters 144!***
f o r s t e e l t y p e No 2 - (Grade 468 d e f o r m e d b a r s <T>
24
PROJECT SPECIFICATION
1. An a d d i t i o n a l f i l e has been a l l o w e d f o r , where

s p e c i f i c Project s p e c i f i c a t i o n s require t h a t the National
Code i n c e r t a i n a r e a s i s t o be i g n o r e d o r o v e r r i d d e n .
BAR SHAPE PARAMETER FILES
1. T h i s f i l e i s p o s s i b l y t h e most i m p o r t a n t f i l e , as it
has c o n t r o l o v e r t h e methods o f i n s e r t i o n and methods o f
c a l c u l a t i o n f o r any g i v e n b a r shape.
2. B a s i c a l l y i t i s a symbol f i l e d e f i n i n g a shape b u t t h e
elements o f w h i c h a r e v a r i a b l e p a r a m e t e r s . F o r a shape 3 7 ,
we know t h a t i t c o n s i s t s o f t w o l e g s a t r i g h t a n g l e s t o each
o t h e r , b u t t h e l e n g t h s a r e t o t a l l y v a r i a b l e d e p e n d i n g , on
t h e i r p o s i t i o n w i t h i n the s t r u c t u r e .
3. The shapes a r e bases on a s e r i e s o f 3D n o d e s . The

nodes r e p r e s e n t t h e s t a r t and end o f t h e b a r and each b e n d ,
f o r a shape 20 2 nodes a r e r e q u i r e d , shape 37 3nodes a r e
r e q u i r e d and so on f o r any shape r e q u i r e d by t h e u s e r . This
means t h a t s p e c i a l b a r may be g e n e r a t e d by t h e u s e r and n o t
r e s t r i c t e d t o t h e p r e f e r e d shapes.
4. An example o f a b a r p a r a m e t e r f i l e i s shown b e l o w .
5. S t a n d a r d hooks and bobs a r e d e f i n e d w i t h i n t h e s y s t e m

and can be p o s i t i o n e d w i t h t h e p a r a m e t e r f i l e e i t h e r a t t h e
s t a r t o r end o f a b a r
Code: r e p r e s e n t s t h e shape code u s e d a t t h e

t i m e o f i n s e r t i o n and can be any u s e r
defined code.
Report: a l l o w s t h e u s e r t o d e f i n e t h e a c t u a l shape
code t o be u s e d on t h e s c h e d u l e as w e l l as
the length of the i n d i v i d u a l legs.
Pars: represents the i n d i v i d u a l parameters.
Bar: indicates the graphical representation of

each b a r shape.
Locs: i n d i c a t e s t h e number o f nodes and d i g i t i s e s

r e q u i r e s t o d e f i n e and p o s i t i o n t h e b a r
w i t h i n the element.
25
C A D SYSTEMS
7!* Bar Shape Code D e f i n i t i o n f i l e .

8!*
9 j * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ************************************
10!*
11!*
12! Code 20
13! Pars A
14! Locs P1,P2
15! Bar (), (X+AJ
16! Set A=$x(P2-Pl)-00001
17! Len A
18! Report 20
19! End
20!***
21! Code 32
22! Pars A,H
23! Locs P1,P2
24! Bar ( ) , (X+A,)
25! Hook (X+A-Dl-R,>,<X+R+(Dl/2),),
(R+Dl/2), (,Y+(2*R)+D1),
26! $: ( R + D l / 2 ) , ( X - ( H + 2 * R + 1 . 5*D1 -
(PI* (R+Dl/2»»
27! Set A = $ X ( P 2 - P l + ( D l / 2 ) - 00001
28! Len A+H
29! Report 32,A
30 End
3iI***
32! Code 33
33! Pars A,H
34! Locs P1,P2
35 Hook (X+(H+2*R+1,5*D1-
< P l * ( R + D l / 2 ) ) ) , Y+(2*R)+D!),
36! $: (X-(H+2*R+1,5*D1 - ( P l * ( R + D l / 2 ) ) ) )
37! $: (R+Dl/2, <Y,-2*R-D1>,(R+Dl/2),
(X+D1/2+R)
38! Bar • ( ) , (X+A-Dl)
39 Hook • ( X + A - D l - ( R = D l / 2 ) ) , (X+R+Dl/2>,
(R+Dl/2).
40! $: (,Y+(2*R)+D1), (R+Dl/2),
41! $: (X-(H+2*R+1, 5 * D l - ( P l * ( R + D l / 2 » >
42 Set •A=$X(P2-P1)+D1-00001
43! Len •A+(2*H)
44! Report •33,A
45! End.
26
6. The f l e x i b i l i t y o f t h e p a r a m e t e r f i l e i s s u c h , t h a t a
s p e c i f i c b a r may be c a l c u l a t e d i n a number o f d i f f e r e n t
ways. A shape 4 1 , can be s p e c i f i e d and r e p o r t e d i n t h e
normal f a s h i o n . I t i s p o s s i b l e h o w e v e r , t o d e f i n e a shape
4 1 , as i s n o r m a l f o r g r a p h i c a l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n , b u t t o be
r e p o r t e d as a shape code 20 when say t h e b a r o f f s e t s a r e l e s s
t h a n t h e b a r d e f o r m a t i o n c a p a b i l i t i e s say f o r a T12 d i a m e t e r
bar.
METHOD
7. I n a p a p e r and p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h i s l e n g t h , i t w o u l d
be i m p o s s i b l e t o d e s c r i b e e v e r y command a v a i l a b l e w i t h i n t h e
programe. I n s t e a d we w i l l l i m i t t h e p a p e r t o t h e i n s e r t i o n
and c h e c k i n g o f b a r s w i t h i n t h e s t r u c t u r a l e l e m e n t s .
8. To i n s e r t a b a r , t h e command s t r u c t u r e c o n s i s t s o f a
VERB, a NOUN, some m o d i f i e r s and i n s t r e a m commands o f
i n f o r m a t i o n c a l l e d GETDATA.
The command i s -
INS BAR t h e s y s t e m t h e n r e q u i r e s i n f o r m a t i o n about the

bar itself.
(1) Steeltype.
(2) Bar D i a .
(3) Number o f B a r s .
(4) Or s p a c i n g o f B a r s .
(5) Shape c o d e .
(6) Steel layer.
T h i s a l l o w s t h e b a r p o s i t i o n t o be i n d i c a t e d w i t h
reference t o the concrete surface.
(6.1) Tl
(6.2) T2
(6.3) Bl
(6.4) B2 e t c . ,
The f u l l command s y s t e m w o u l d b e : -
INS BAR STYPE T20 SPACING 250 SLAYER T l SHAPECODE 37

9. A f t e r t h e c o l o n has been t y p e d t h e s y s t e m shapecode 37
r e q u i r e s s u r f a c e s t o be d i g i t i s e d t o g i v e t h e 3D model
p o s i t i o n s o f each o f t h e b e n d s , p l u s t h e two ends o f t h e b a r .
F o r t h e shape 3 7 , t h i s c o u l d c o n s i s t o f a minimum 6
d i g i t i s e s , where t h e b a r i s p a r a l l e l t o one s u r f a c e . Or a
maximum o f 9 d i g i t i s e s where t h e b a r i s p o s i t i o n e d 3
dimensionaly w i t h i n the elements. ^ "
C A D SYSTEMS
10 To p o s i t i o n t h e n o d e , i n t o an end c o r n e r o f a beam f o r
example, a l l t h r e e s u r f a c e s , b o u n d i n g t h a t c o r n e r must be
digitised. The o f f s e t f r o m any s u r f a c e i s t a k e n f r o m t h e
d e f a u l t s c o v e r s l a i d o u t i n t h e p a r a m e t e r f i l e o r may be
e n t e r e d p r i o r t o d i g i t i s i n g where o f f s e t s a r e i n excess o f
the defaults.
11 A l l b a r l e g l e n g t h s w i l l t h e n be c a l c u l a t e d f r o m t h e
d i g i t i s e d p o s i t i o n s . I f s p e c i f i c dimensions are r e q u i r e d f o r
any b a r l e g t h e n t h e y can be e n t e r e d e x p l i c i t l y as m o d i f i e r
A . B . C D . e t c . , I n t h i s s i t u a t i o n t h e two c o n s e c u t i v e d i g i t i s e d
nodes w i l l i n d i c a t e a v e c t o r o f each b a r d i m e n s i o n and s e l f
c a l c u l a t i n g where no d i m e n s i o n s a r e g i v e n .
12 F o r a shape 37 A o r B o r b o t h d i m e n s i o n may be
explicit.
13 A f t e r p o s i t i o n i n g t h e t y p i c a l b a r w i t h i n t h e element
t h e u s e r i s t h e n prompted by t h e system t o d i g i t i s e t h e
p o s i t i o n o f t h e f i r s t and l a s t b a r s . T h i s may be c a r r i e d o u t
b y d i g i t i s i n g s u r f a c e s as d e s c r i b e d f o r p o s i t i o n i n g t h e main
bar. The e x t e n t s o f t h e b a r can be l o c k e d h o r i z o n t a l l y ,
v e r t i c a l l y o r p e r p e n d i c u l a r t o t h e f i r s t p o s i t i o n such t h a t
t h e f i r s t and l a s t b a r i s p a r a l l e l t o t h e t y p i c a l b a r .
ANNOTATION
1. The b a r s a r e a n n o t a t e d and f l a g g e d t o p r o d u c e t h e
f i n a l d r a w i n g r e q u i r e m e n t as g u i d e d by t h e u s e r . T y p i c a l bar
e x t e n t s are f u l l y annotated w h i l s t every o t h e r a n n o t a t i o n o f
t h a t b a r when i t o c c u r s i n a s e c t i o n o r e l e v a t i o n w i l l be by
b a r mark number o n l y .
2. Bar marks a r e a u t o m a t i c a l l y i n s e r t e d and r e g i s t e r e d

s u c h , t h a t b a r marks a r e n o t d u p l i c a t e d u n l e s s s p e c i f i e d by
the user. I f b a r marks a r e t o be d u p l i c a t e d t h e n t h e command
would b e : -
INS BAR BMARK 20:
A l l o t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l t h e n be i n s e r t e d by t h e s y s t e m , as
f o r t h e o r i g i n a l b a r mark. The u s e r w i l l h o w e v e r , h a v e t o
p o s i t i o n t h e nodes o f t h e t y p i c a l b a r and t h e e x t e n t s so t h a t
d i f f e r e n c e s i n b a r numbers can be c a l c u l a t e d .
3 Any d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e b a r n o d e s ,
l e a d i n g t o d i f f e r i n g d i m e n s i o n f o r any o f t h e b a r l e g s , w i l l
a u t o m a t i c a l l y p r o d u c e a new b a r mark number, even i f a b a r
mark i s s p e c i f i c a l l y s t a t e d .
28
ADDITIONAL MODIFIERS
1. I f i t i s r e q u i r e d t h a t one b a r s h o u l d l a p w i t h
a n o t h e r , t h e n t h e s y s t e m need o n l y be p r o m p t e d f o r t h e
c o r r e c t t y p e o f l a p , p r i o r t o d i g i t i s i n g t h e b a r t o be l a p p e d
with. Two t y p e o f l a p s e n t e r e d a r e f o r :
(a) Tlap - T e n s i o n Lap

(b) Clap - Compression L a p .
2. The c o r r e c t t e n s i o n l a p , w i l l t h e n be e x t r a c t e d f r o m
t h e p a r a m e t e r f i l e , f o r t h e p a r t i c u l a r d i a m e t e r and s t e e l
type.
3 The l a p a r e a u t o m a t i c a l l y c h o s e n , a f t e r d i g i t i s i n g t h e
l a p p i n g b a r ; as b e i n g t h e s m a l l e r d i a m e t e r o f t h e t w o b a r s ,
e i t h e r t h e b a r b e i n g i n s e r t e d o r t h e b a r t o be l a p p e d w i t h .
4. For p o s i t i o n i n g bars w i t h reference t o bars already

inserted the m o d i f i e r s : -
(a) Ref B a r : w i t h reference t o another bar.

(b) Angle: a t an a n g l e t o a n o t h e r b a r o r
surface.
(c) Perpend: Perpendicular t o another bar or
surface.
(d) Rotate: About a n o t h e r b a r o r a b o u t i t s e l f .
are a v a i l a b l e t o enable t h e user t o manipulate t h e bar p r i o r

to annotation.
CLASH CHECKING
1. During i n s e r t i o n , bars are placed w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o

o t h e r b a r s and so a l a r g e amount o f c h e c k i n g i s e l i m i n a t e d ,
as i t i s i m p o s s i b l e t o make them c l a s h .
2. I f b a r s have n o t been p l a c e d w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o o t h e r
b a r s , t h a t i s , when b a r s have been p l a c e d i n a d j a c e n t s l a b s ,
w i t h t h e same s p a c i n g and t h e same f i r s t and l a s t b a r
p o s i t i o n , then i t i s obvious t h a t they w i l l c l a s h . Global
c l a s h d e t e c t i o n o f t h i s s o r t would r e q u i r e t h e system t o
c a r r y o u t an enormous amount o f c o m p u t a t i o n , e v e r y t i m e a
b a r was i n s e r t e d , and t h i s w o u l d r e d u c e t h e v i a b i l i t y o f t h e
system. I n these circumstances, i t i s l e f t t o the
e x p e r i e n c e d u s e r t o see t h a t t h e s e do n o t o c c u r .
3 T h e r e i s h o w e v e r , a S t a t u s Bar f a c i l i t y , t h a t w i l l
g i v e a f u l l r e p o r t on each b a r , g i v e n a c t u a l v e r s e s n o m i n a l
information, e.g.
29
C A D SYSTEMS
A c t u a l Bar D i a m e t e r - Normal Bar Diameter.

A c t u a l Bar S p a c i n g - Norman Bar Spacing.
and a l l o f t h e p r o p e r t i e s a t t a c h e d t o t h a t bar - s t e e l type,

number o f b a r s , s u r f a c e c o v e r s e t c .
4. The command w i l l r e p o r t , i f a b a r i s i n s i d e o r o u t s i d e
o f t h e s t r u c t u r e and a l s o i f t h e minimum s p a c i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s
o f any b a r g i v e n has been o v e r w r i t t e n .
REPORT SCHEDULE
1 T h i s command a l l o w s b e n d i n g s c h e d u l e s t o be p r o d u c e d
to a predefined format.
2 The s c h e d u l e s a r e p r o d u c e d b y e l e m e n t , by d r a w i n g , or
by a number o f e l e m e n t s f r o m a d r a w i n g .
3 A l l schedules i n d i c a t e t h e element label i n the

e x t r e m e l e f t hand c o l u m n .
An example o f such a s c h e d u l e i s g i v e n i n F i g . 1.
4 A l l s c h e d u l e s can be a u t o m a t i c a l l y w e i g h t e d and
w e i g h t s c o l l a t e d f o r each d r a w i n g o r f o r any number o f
drawings or f o r a p r o j e c t .
An example o f a W e i g h t s Schedule i s g i v e n i n F i g . 2.
AUTOMATIC DESIGN AND DETAILING
1. W i t h t h i s s y s t e m t h e s i m p l e e l e m e n t s have a l r e a d y been
d e v e l o p e d t o c a r r y o u t d e s i g n w i t h a u t o m a t i c d e t a i l i n g and
scheduling.
These i n c l u d e : -
(1) Pads.
(2) Pilcap: 1 2 3 4 & 5 p i l e groups.
(3) Columns.
2. Pads and P i l e c a p s can be d e t a i l e d i n f u l l 3D

a u t o m a t i c a l l y o r i n a t a b u l a r f o r m , columns a t p r e s e n t are
tabular.
30
PAPER 3. RICHARDS
Reinforcing Bar Schedule.
project no drawing.*, echedule reviwon
Computer Reinforcement Detailing. hei I. l o i . i m n

drawing till*
seam urawi ng. drawn checked data all dimaniioM in aceordanca

RD MR Oct 198
bar type no. no.

total ofoach •hope
*
(mbrl mark
•tee
of
mbrt.
in
MCh no. bar coda A B C D E/r
Beam on 01 T32 1 k It 5500 20
fi.L. A , 02 1 A , «00 20
20
03, T20 1 k 1900
OA T20 1 8 8 1700 37 500
05 T16 1 It it 5500 20
06 T25 1 it 1900 37 500
-
07 T20 1 8 8 3000 20
08 R10 1 56 : 6 2525 60 780 380
P) - Plain or deformed grade 260 ban complying, with the raquiramantt of BS 444t;
T - Type } deformed ban of r»de 4 S 0 / 4 J 5 . comph/ing with tht requirements of BS 4449 or BS 4461:
X - A general abbreviation for typei not covered by R or T, where the proper!iei reoulred hava to be defined In
ihe deti*n (pacification.
Fig. 1 . Reinforcing Bar Schedule
31
C A D SYSTEMS
REINFORCING BAR W EIGHTS.

project project no. drawing no. tchadute ravraion
Computer Reinforcement Detailing. 123*5 iei i, Uni rrm n

drawing l i l t *
Beam Drawing.
drawn 1 checked data alt dimeniioni in aceordanct
RD 1 MR I let 1987 whhiSMit
Steel
Type & Weights in Tonnes.
T 16 0.034
0.111
T 25 0.114
TUT 0^139
0.087
R - Plain or dtformed r * ° « WO ban complying with the requirement* of I S 444f;«44«

T - Typt 2 deformed baa of r * * ««0/4 J S . complying with the requirement! of BS or K •4•1;
X •> A general abbraviation for typei not covarad by fl or T, whart tha propertiei raqwlrad hew, to ba dafinad in
the tfcuan specification.
Fig. 2. Weights Schedule
32
3S-TI6-Ot-gOO-Tl
»9-TT-0g-«00-TI
8 F i g . 3. Demo s l a b
C3
/
><
H
ffl
Fig. 4
3QQQ
ge-RI0-08-200
2-TI6-05
1 4-T20-07
_J U-T20-03 12-T32-0I
4-T20-041
BEAM ON G.L. A
® (5
s 8
ss SS
t—. i—r
i_i
88 3 8 S3
s 8 KB
Fig. 5
35
Fig. 6
C A D SYSTEMS
ADVANTAGES OF 3D
1. D e l e t i n g bars from the model,using e i t h e r , t h e p l a n or
a s e c t i o n f o r i n d i c a t i n g t h e b a r t o be d e l e t e d , t h e n t h a t b a r
w i l l be a u t o m a t i c a l l y d e l e t e d w h e r e v e r i t i s shown i n any
other section.
2. A d d i t i o n a l l y when a new b a r i s i n s e r t e d i n t o t h e
m o d e l , t h e n t h e b a r w i l l be a u t o m a t i c a l l y i n d i c a t e d on any
s e c t i o n t h a t the bar crosses.
3. T h i s a b i l i t y o b v i o u s l y has g r e a t advantages o v e r
n o r m a l d r a w i n g methods where b a r s may be o m i t t e d f r o m
s e c t i o n s due t o e r r o r .
4. The examples g i v e n i n F i g s 3 - 7 show a s i n g l e s l a b

w i t h t h e s e c t i o n g e n e r a t e d a u t o m a t i c a l l y f o r t h e 3D m o d e l .
5. The two e x a m p l e s , d e p i c t i n g t h e f u l l 3D m o d e l , w i t h
a l l b a r s drawn as s o l i d b a r s i n 3D, show t h e o b v i o u s
a d v a n t a g e s o f i n s p e c t i n g s i m p l e o r complex j u n c t i o n s .
6 T h i s f a c i l i t y must be used w i t h some t h o u g h t , a s t h e

g e n e r a t i o n o f a l l e l e m e n t s i n 3D a t t h e same t i m e can
p r o d u c e , a model t h a t c o n t a i n s so much i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t t h e
v i e w becomes a maze o f r e i n f o r c e m e n t . In this situation, i t
i s i m p o s s i b l e t o see what i s h a p p e n i n g . This a b i l i t y i s
c o n t r o l l e d , by t h e u s e r who, can d i s p l a y i n d i v i d u a l g r o u p o f
b a r s t h a t he w i s h e s t o i n v e s t i g a t e , r a t h e r t h a n u s i n g a
g l o b a l model d i s p l a y c a p a b i l i t y .
7. Speed o f o p e r a t i o n o f t h e s y s t e m , i s o b v i o u s l y g o i n g
t o be dependent on t h e competence o f t h e o p e r a t o r , as a
d e t a i l e r and computer o p e r a t o r . However, u n d e r t e s t t h e
system takes a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3 minutes per bar group
i n s e r t i o n , w h i c h f o r a 200 b a r g r o u p d r a w i n g w o u l d g i v e 10
hours o f d e t a i l i n g t i m e . As s c h e d u l i n g , w e i g h t i n g and code
c h e c k i n g i s a l l p a r t o f t h e o p e r a t i o n no a d d i t i o n a l t i m e i s
required f o r those items.
CONCLUSION
1. R e i n f o r c e d C o n c r e t e d e t a i l i n g has a t l a s t become a
v i a b l e p r o p o s i t i o n , u s i n g i n t e r a c t i o n CAD as a d i s c r e t e
operation. However t h i s s h o u l d o n l y be r e g a r d e d as t h e
beginning. The c o n s t r u c t i o n and b u i l d i n g i n d u s t r y s h o u l d
press t h e vendor t o develop t h e r i g h t type o f s o f t w a r e , f o r
t h e a p p l i c a t i o n and c o - o r d i n a t i n g o f a l l t h e a c t i v i t i e s t h a t
we r e q u i r e t o p r o d u c e t h e f i n i s h e d b u i l d i n g .
2. A t p r e s e n t we seem t o a c c e p t a p p l i c a t i o n s o f t w a r e ,
t h a t s i t s on as many d i f f e r e n t systems as t h e r e a r e
d i s c i p l i n e s , without the a b i l i t y t o t r a n s f e r information
f r e e l y between t h e m .
38
Paper 4. Detailing of reinforced concrete using C A D
J.W. K A T T E N H O R N , T a y l o r W o o d r o w Services L i m i t e d
SYNOPSIS. T h i s p a p e r c o n s i d e r s t h e a p p r o a c h T a y l o r Woodrow
C o n s t r u c t i o n L t d has t a k e n i n the routine production of
reinforced concrete detail drawings u s i n g computer a i d e d
draughting. The customisation for b u i l d i n g design of a
proprietary CAD system i s described. Conclusions on
productivity are drawn and a n t i c i p a t e d f u t u r e d e v e l o p m e n t s
are o u t l i n e d .
INTRODUCTION
1. Taylor Woodrow C o n s t r u c t i o n (TWC) i s a b r o a d based
company h a v i n g interests i n many s p h e r e s of engineering
activity, a l t h o u g h perhaps best known f o r heavy civil
engineering. Involvement ranges from the advanced
technologies s u c h as n u c l e a r , the r e n e w a b l e e n e r g i e s and
offshore development, to the less glamorous but
none-the-less important sector of conventional building
structures.
2. Over t h e y e a r s c o n s i d e r a b l e c o m p u t e r r e s o u r c e s have
1
been d e p l o y e d by TWC i n ' h i g h - t e c h a c t i v i t i e s b u t i n t h e
'bread and b u t t e r ' b u i l d i n g a r e a s c o m p u t i n g had r e m a i n e d
almost totally absent. The i n t r o d u c t i o n o f computer a i d e d
draughting (CAD) presented an o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e d r e s s t h e
balance, particularly i n t h e f i e l d o f b u i l d i n g d e s i g n where
similarity exists between b u i l d i n g s a t l e a s t as f a r as t h e
s k e l e t a l s t r u c t u r e i s concerned.
3. An e a r l y s u r v e y o f t h e d r a u g h t i n g u n d e r t a k e n by t h e
Structural Design Department w i t h i n TWC i n d i c a t e d that
r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e d e t a i l s and s c h e d u l e s r e p r e s e n t e d 60% o f
total d r a w i n g p r o d u c t i o n , t h e r e m a i n i n g 40% b e i n g r e i n f o r c e d
concrete and s t e e l w o r k general arrangements, and other
layouts. I t was e v i d e n t t h a t r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e d e t a i l i n g
w o u l d be a s t r a t e g i c a r e a o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t ' s w o r k t o be
t a c k l e d by CAD.
Downloaded by [ University of Nottingham] on [18/09/18]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
C A D SYSTEMS
f
4. In the late 1 9 6 0 s TWC h a d , i n f a c t , begun t o
experiment w i t h a u t o m a t i n g t h e d e s i g n and d r a u g h t i n g o f r . c .
columns. However, the lack of i n t e r a c t i v e user devices
prevented the preparation of drawings to an acceptable
standard of presentation. I t was n e c e s s a r y t o w a i t a decade
for t h e h a r d w a r e t e c h n o l o g y t o become commonly a v a i l a b l e f o r
t h i s t y p e o f d e v e l o p m e n t t o be a v i a b l e p r o p o s i t i o n .
BACKGROUND
!
5. The m u l t i - d i s c i p l i n a r y n a t u r e of the Company s
business, integrating Architecture, Civil, Structural,
Steelwork, Electrical and M e c h a n i c a l skills, required a
general CAD d r a u g h t i n g s y s t e m c a p a b l e o f c u s t o m i s a t i o n t o
the v a r i o u s d i s c i p l i n e needs. E v a l u a t i o n o f v a r i o u s systems
during 1984 l e d t o t h e s e l e c t i o n o f t h e C o m p u t e r v i s i o n (CV)
Medusa Drafting System. A four workstation trial
configuration based on a P r i m e Computer, Westward G r a p h i c s
terminals and an e l e c t r o s t a t i c p l o t t e r was i n s t a l l e d e a r l y
i n 1985.
6. A l t h o u g h i n TWC Medusa i s mainly used f o r 2D
draughting, it has w i r e frame and 3D s o l i d m o d e l l i n g
capabilities, which are useful for architectural
visualisation exercises and co-ordination o f M 5c E
services. The d a t a management structure within Medusa
a l l o w s ready c u s t o m i s a t i o n .
7. Workstations are located in the engineering
departments for use by t h e i r own t r a i n e d u s e r s and a r e n o t
1
operated on a c e n t r a l i s e d 'bureau basis. T h i s ensures a
continuing high quality of output commensurate w i t h t h a t
p r o d u c e d m a n u a l l y by t h e d e p a r t m e n t s .
8. The p r e s e n t n e t w o r k o f Medusa w o r k s t a t i o n s numbers 21
in 5 separate office l o c a t i o n s d i s t r i b u t e d between the
London a r e a and t h e N o r t h o f E n g l a n d , as i l l u s t r a t e d i n t h e
diagram ( f i g . 1 ) .
HARROGATE WARRINGTON
REMOTE
OFFICES
LOCAL
AREA
OFFICE8
HEAD
OFFICE
Fig. 1. W o r k s t a t i o n n e t w o r k and l o c a t i o n s
40
P A P E R 4. KATTENHORN
AEC CUSTOMISATION I N TAYLOR WOODROW
1
9. C u s t o m i s a t i o n o f a CAD s y s t e m t o a company s needs i s
i n e v i t a b l y expensive but i t ensures t h a t t h e requirements o f
in-house professionals are f u l l y met. TWC has a l o n g
history o f s o f t w a r e d e v e l o p m e n t and p o s s e s s e s t h e c a p a b i l i t y
to c a r r y o u t t h e s i g n i f i c a n t CAD d e v e l o p m e n t r e q u i r e d f o r a
m u l t i - d i s c i p l i n a r y team.
10. The b e n e f i t s o f c u s t o m i s a t i o n a r e 3-fold:-
(a) Draughting using library symbols o r programmed

graphics generators can be many t i m e s f a s t e r t h a n i s
a c h i e v e d m a n u a l l y o r by n o r m a l CAD d r a u g h t i n g .
(b) Pre-prepared details, symbols and programmed

generators c o n f o r m t o Company c o n v e n t i o n s and n o t t o
the i n d i v i d u a l draughtsmen's differing styles as
o f t e n t e n d s t o be t h e case w i t h manual d r a u g h t i n g .
(c) Drawings p r o d u c e d by a c u s t o m i s e d s y s t e m have a

consistent i n t e r n a l data s t r u c t u r e which ensures t h a t
subsequent processes, s u c h as m a t e r i a l take-off
(MTO), can be s u c c e s s f u l l y c a r r i e d o u t i r r e s p e c t i v e
of the o r i g i n a t i n g draughtsman.
11. I n t h i s paper we f o c u s a t t e n t i o n on a recent

customisation for the detailing of reinforced concrete
components.
GENERAL R.C. DETAILING

12. CV Medusa m a r k e t a package f o r r . c . d e t a i l d r a u g h t i n g
and b a r s c h e d u l i n g w h i c h p r o v i d e s f o r d e t a i l i n g based on a
b a r by b a r approach. The d e t a i l e r selects the type,
diameter, shape code and v i e w o f a b a r f r o m a menu ( f i g . 2 )
prior t o p o s i t i o n i n g t h e b a r on t h e d r a w i n g . The b a r l a b e l
is then generated automatically. The u s e r i s p r o m p t e d f o r
the extent and s p a c i n g o f t h e bar group or groups. The
label i s p o s i t i o n e d on t h e d r a w i n g i n d e p e n d e n t l y o f t h e b a r ,
t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p between b a r and l a b e l b e i n g m a i n t a i n e d by
t h e CAD d a t a b a s e .
13. A t y p i c a l b a r and l a b e l i s shown i n f i g . 3 , t h e b u l k
o f u s e f u l d a t a b e i n g c o n t a i n e d i n t h e b a r l a b e l . The s o l i d
text indicates p a r a m e t e r s s u p p l i e d by t h e d e t a i l e r . Hollow
text i t e m s a r e c a l c u l a t e d by t h e c o m p u t e r a u t o m a t i c a l l y when
the drawing i s subsequently scheduled. The boxed t e x t i s
i n f o r m a t i o n n o t shown on a r e i n f o r c e m e n t d r a w i n g ( e . g . shape
code and l i m b l e n g t h s ) , b u t u s e d i n t h e s c h e d u l i n g p r o c e s s .
Such i n f o r m a t i o n i s n o t n o r m a l l y p l o t t e d when a h a r d copy o f
the drawing i s t a k e n .
41
C A D SYSTEMS
MEOUSfl
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Fig. 2. R.C. D e t a i l D r a u g h t i n g and Bar S c h e d u l i n g Menu
D Total No. of bars u End of bar group

E No. ban In tach group t Location of typical bar
n Mattrlal tvot/diamtttr LK Start of bar orotic
E Bar mark tu Snaps codo
E Bar control [B Bar dimensions
E Faco condition EE Label line
B Radius of rolnforcomont E ] No. of Groups
Fig. 3. T y p i c a l b a r and l a b e l data
42
PAPER 4. KATTENHORN
14. To p r o d u c e a s c h e d u l e i t i s o n l y n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e
d r a w i n g t o be scanned t o e x t r a c t the required data f o r
presentation. Thus i n t e g r i t y between t h e d r a w i n g and t h e
schedule i s maintained; if t h e d r a w i n g i s c o r r e c t t h e n so
must be t h e s c h e d u l e . The s c h e d u l i n g p r o c e s s checks f o r
erroneous d u p l i c a t i o n o f b a r m a r k s , w i t h o p t i o n s t o merge
d u p l i c a t e bars and/or o p t i m i s e bar marks.
15. The s c h e d u l e s a r e p r o d u c e d as s e p a r a t e A4 s i z e d CAD
drawings, which allows the detailer t o add n o t e s and
sketches, ( e . g . an i l l u s t r a t i o n o f a shape code 9 9 ) . A
t y p i c a l s c h e d u l e i s shown i n f i g . 4 .
Drt.n ki PRO Btr Sch.ful. A.f.r.nc.

TAYLOR HOODROH GROUP
Cktck.d is SB PI...
BENDING SCHEDULE FOR R E I N F O R C E M E N T
O.t. RUG.'67 |Sht. No. 3335 |
C L I E N T JOHN L E W I S , PARK ROYAL R»f. Or..in. No.
S E C T I O N GROUND BEAMS S h t e t 1 THC/3U81/3335
flll b»r dla.nciont to B . S . UU66
Fig. 4. Typical schedule
43
C A D SYSTEMS
16. The a u t o m a t i c p r o d u c t i o n of schedules represents a
very considerable saving i n e f f o r t . However o u r e x p e r i e n c e
is that t h e o v e r a l l p r o d u c t i v i t y improvement f r o m u s i n g t h e
package is o n l y o f t h e o r d e r o f 30% o v e r manual d r a u g h t i n g
whereas for CAD t o be c o s t e f f e c t i v e an improvement o f a t
l e a s t 50% i s r e q u i r e d .
R.C. DETAILING FOR BUILDING DESIGN

17. I n t h e c o n t e x t o f t h e S t r u c t u r a l Design Department,
whilst every b u i l d i n g designed i s d i f f e r e n t t h e r e i s much
that is common, p a r t i c u l a r l y when t h e b u i l d i n g i s v i e w e d as
a c o l l e c t i o n of components. T h i s p r o v i d e s t h e key t o o u r
approach t o t h e automation o f the d e t a i l i n g process.
18. Based on t h e component c o n c e p t t h e p r i n c i p a l b a s i c
structural components of a b u i l d i n g are the columns,
foundations, beams, slabs and s t a i r c a s e s . A customisation
has been u n d e r t a k e n f o r d e t a i l i n g u t i l i s i n g a suite of
p a r a m e t r i c s t r u c t u r a l o u t l i n e s and r e i n f o r c e m e n t d e t a i l s .
19. The R.C. Component D e t a i l i n g package (RCCD) is
substantially complete. The c o r e o f t h e RCCD package
c o n s i s t s o f 8 menu s h e e t s : -
Menu Sheet 1 - GENERAL COMMANDS AND U T I L I T I E S .

U s i n g t h i s menu i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h
t h e Medusa R.C. D e t a i l i n g Package
the user can m o d i f y s t a n d a r d r . c .
components o r c r e a t e non-standard
details.
Menu Sheet 2 - FOUNDATIONS. Pile caps, pad

f o u n d a t i o n s and column s t u b s can be
detailed. Circular and u n i v e r s a l
bearing p i l e s are catered f o r , i n
g r o u p s o f up t o 9 .
Menu Sheet 3 - COLUMNS. Elevations and s e c t i o n s

of r e c t a n g u l a r and c i r c u l a r columns
can be d r a w n . Fifteen types of
column r e i n f o r c e m e n t c a g e , t o g e t h e r
w i t h s i x t o p s t e e l and two b o t t o m
steel arrangements, have been
defined. S l a b and beam d e t a i l s
can be s i m p l y s u p e r i m p o s e d o n t o t h e
column. T h i s menu i s r e p r o d u c e d i n
f i g u r e 5.
Menu Sheet 4 - BEAMS. Single and c o n t i n u o u s

spanning rectangular beams are
catered for using loose bar
reinforcement arrangements.
Menu Sheet 5 - SLABS. Slabs (hollow r i b and

u n i f o r m t h i c k n e s s ) can be d e t a i l e d .
44
P A P E R 4. KATTENHORN
Menu Sheet 6 - STAIRCASES. Single flight

staircases, i n s i t u o r p r e c a s t , can
be d e t a i l e d . Allowance for the
architectural finishes can be
incorporated i n the d e f i n i t i o n of
the s t r u c t u r a l o u t l i n e .
Menu Sheets 8 & 9 - SYMBOL MENUS. F i x e d s y m b o l s , j o i n t

details and g e n e r a l notes. These
libraries can be c o n v e n i e n t l y added
t o by t h e u s e r s .
Fig. 5. R.C. Component D e t a i l i n g Package

Menu s h e e t 3: Columns
The c o n t e n t s of t h e menu s h e e t s w i l l be added t o as t h e

need a r i s e s . For i n s t a n c e , t a p e r e d columns and T-beams
w i l l be i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t h e n e a r f u t u r e .
45
C A D SYSTEMS
250
a aa a
4 .
i 'a a8 8
» "10 - 6 - 1 5 0
52 ntO - 7 - 1 5 0
Fig. 6. Typical column d e t a i l g e n e r a t e d u s i n g t h e RCCD

package
20. Examples o f t h e use o f t h e RCCD package a r e shown i n

figures 6 and 7. A p i l e cap o r column d e t a i l s u c h as t h o s e
depicted can be g e n e r a t e d i n l e s s t h a n 45 s e c o n d s . The u s e r
is only required to enter i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e size of
component, concrete cover, b a r t y p e and b a r d i a m e t e r where
these differ from the user specified defaults. The
c a l c u l a t i o n of bar lap and l i m b l e n g t h s i s c a r r i e d out
a u t o m a t i c a l l y i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h e i t h e r CPUA o r BS8110.
21. The d e t a i l s p r o d u c e d u s i n g RCCD c o n f o r m t o t h e d a t a
structure of t h e CV Medusa g e n e r a l d e t a i l i n g p a c k a g e . The
compatibility between packages allows the detailer to
develop or edit components to produce non-standard
1 1
specials . Compatibility also extends to other TWC
c u s t o m i s a t i o n s a l l o w i n g a r c h i t e c t u r e , s t e e l w o r k and b u i l d i n g
services entities t o c o n v e n i e n t l y c o - e x i s t on a d r a w i n g and
t o be r e c o g n i s e d .
22. E i t h e r CP114 o r BS8110 codes can be s p e c i f i e d f o r t h e
detailing of components. The p r i n c i p a l p a r a m e t e r s , such as
lap lengths and bend r a d i i , are h e l d i n i n t e r n a l tables
referenced by the component d e t a i l i n g routines. The
r o u t i n e s check t h a t d e t a i l s comply w i t h t h e r e l e v a n t c o d e .
46
PAPER 4. KATTENHORN
S.F.L Z
100.00^
7 R 1 0 - 5 -150
lit R I O - 6 - 1 5 0
1
T
,250„
4- 7"
5T25- 1-Bot
G> 6T25- 2 -Bot
BRIO- 3 -EF
Fig. 7. Typical pile cap generated using the RCCD

package
C A D SYSTEMS
23. The u s e r can e n t e r o r m o d i f y v a r i a b l e s , such as

column d i m e n s i o n s , b a r t y p e and b a r d i a m e t e r , by e i t h e r
s i m p l e menu p r o b e s o r t y p e d i n p u t p r i o r t o t h e d r a w i n g o f
the d e t a i l . Once t h e v a l u e o f a v a r i a b l e has been e n t e r e d
it becomes t h e c u r r e n t d e f a u l t . T h i s method has the
advantage that it does n o t n e c e s s i t a t e t h e u s e r e n t e r i n g
e v e r y d e f i n i n g v a r i a b l e e a c h t i m e a component i s d r a w n .
24. Components a r e c r e a t e d and h e l d i n t h e d r a w i n g f i l e
1
using a 'tree d a t a s t r u c t u r e , as i l l u s t r a t e d i n f i g u r e 8.
The a d v a n t a g e i s t h a t t h e e l e m e n t s f o r m i n g a component can
be r e f e r e n c e d i n a s i m p l e manner. For example, if a
component i s t o be shown on a g e n e r a l a r r a n g e m e n t d r a w i n g
t h e branches ' D i m e n s i o n & G r i d ' and ' R e i n f o r c e m e n t ' w i l l be
o m i t t e d when l o a d i n g t h e component.
25. When a component i s drawn i t s d e f i n i n g v a r i a b l e s a r e
written t o t h e drawing database as p a r t of the tree
structure. This is shown i n f i g u r e 8. as t h e b r a n c h
'Component D e f i n i t i o n and MTO'. As w e l l as p r o v i d i n g d a t a
for material t a k e - o f f , t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n p r o v i d e s a means by
w h i c h t h e u s e r can q u e r y a component and r e s e t t h e d e f i n i n g
variables t o c r e a t e a u t o m a t i c a l l y an a l t e r n a t i v e v i e w . Thus
a s e c t i o n o r second e l e v a t i o n v i e w can be c r e a t e d a t any
time, w i t h o u t any d a t a r e - e n t r y s i m p l y by i d e n t i f y i n g t h e
component on t h e s c r e e n .
STRUCTURAL COMPONENT
Effl
STRUCTURAL COMPONENT DIMENSIONS 4 GRIOS REINFORCENENT
(CONCRETE ONLY)
i
OTTeT
STRUCTURAL OUTLINE COMPONENT GRIDS RC BAR 4 LABEL RC BAR 4 LABEL RC SECTIONS
4 COMPONENT ID. DEFINITION
4 MTO.
•i t
tr-a
Fig. 8. T y p i c a l component d a t a s t r u c t u r e
48
PAPER 4. KATTENHORN
26. Component integrity (i.e. correctness and

completeness o f t h e d a t a s t r u c t u r e ) i s m a i n t a i n e d by t h e use
1 1
of protection switches preventing the user from
accidentally deleting or modifying components in an
1 1
illegal manner.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
27. I n a d d i t i o n t o a continued expansion of the l i b r a r i e s
of s t a n d a r d d e t a i l s t h e r e a r e 3 main areas where development
can be f o r e s e e n : -
(a) The s t o r a g e of component d e f i n i t i o n d a t a . Each

component has a c o n s i d e r a b l e q u a n t i t y o f a s s o c i a t e d
non-graphical data for component integrity and
material take-off. This adds t o the size of the
drawing sheet f i l e and d e g r a d e s w o r k s t a t i o n r e s p o n s e
time. It i s i n t e n d e d t h a t t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l be
s t o r e d i n an 'off s h e e t ' d a t a b a s e , and methods f o r
a c h i e v i n g t h i s are under i n v e s t i g a t i o n .
(b) The use o f 3-D m o d e l l i n g . In the majority of

circumstances (especially i n b u i l d i n g f r a m e s ) a 2-D
approach t o structural r.c. d e t a i l i n g i s more t h a n
adequate. It has t h e m e r i t s of economy and
responsiveness. However t h e r e a r e u n d o u b t e d b e n e f i t s
t o be g a i n e d f r o m 3-D m o d e l l i n g o f complicated,
heavily reinforced j o i n t details. Work i s u n d e r way
to enable 2D d e t a i l s t o be u s e d as automatic
g e n e r a t o r s f o r 3D j o i n t m o d e l s .
(c) Links t o design programs. The m o d u l a r component

a p p r o a c h w h i c h has been a d o p t e d lends itself to
linking t o s p e c i a l i s t programs f o r r . c . d e s i g n . This
could i n v o l v e in-house developed software or s u i t a b l e
commercially a v a i l a b l e packages.
CONCLUSIONS
28. The i n t r o d u c t i o n o f CAD i n t o t h e S t r u c t u r a l D e s i g n
Department for r.c. detailing has been s u c c e s s f u l .
Considerable effort has, however, been r e q u i r e d Full
discussion took p l a c e w i t h t h e Department during the
s p e c i f i c a t i o n and i m p l e m e n t a t i o n of t h e RCCD p a c k a g e , and
there i s now f u l l d e p a r t m e n t a l awareness o f t h e c a p a b i l i t i e s
o f CAD and a c c e p t a n c e o f t h e new t e c h n o l o g y .
29. CAD has t o c o e x i s t w i t h manual d e t a i l i n g , a s i t u a t i o n
which w i l l continue f o r some y e a r s y e t . The d r a w i n g and
s c h e d u l e s p r o d u c e d m a n u a l l y and by CAD m u s t , t h e r e f o r e , have
s i m i l a r a p p e a r a n c e and m e a n i n g .
30. The S t r u c t u r a l D e s i g n D e p a r t m e n t i s b e n e f i t t i n g f r o m
this r.c. customisation. The o v e r a l l productivity is
estimated t o be f o u r t i m e s f a s t e r t h a n manual d r a u g h t i n g
w i t h some t a s k s even b e i n g an o r d e r o f m a g n i t u d e f a s t e r .
49
C A D SYSTEMS
Fig. 9. T y p i c a l D r a w i n g u s i n g RCCD Package
50
Paper 5. The establishment and development of cad in the
public sector
P. JONES, mice, DipTE, G. HOPPER, MistmctE, and

J.G. BERRESFORD, BSc, Transportation and Engineering Department,
Dorset County Council
SYNOPSIS. This paper deals with the development of a CAD system

in the Transportation and Engineering Department of Dorset
County Council. It includes a discussion on how a supplier was
selected, the training involved and future developments which
are being considered.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CAD SYSTEM

1. The Design and Construction section of the Transportation
and Engineering Department undertakes the planning and design of
civil and structural engineering works and supervises the
construction of these works. The workload comprises:-
(a) Highway planning, design and construction; design of

highway structures including road and footbridges, retain
ing walls and pedestrian subways.
(b) Structural design of buildings and their components in

reinforced concrete, steel, timber and load bearing
brickwork.
2. As a Local Authority, Dorset County Council is dealing with

increasing demands on all services including the design office.
The County is an area of high expansion leading to more demands
for development and the associated infrastructure. These
demands require a proper co-ordinated professional response and
a continuing improvement in the quality of the service, whereby
it has become more necessary to accelerate production rates of
information, and in particular that related to many of the
repetitive elements of the planning, design and construction
processes.
3. The Planning and Transportation Committee at their meeting

in January 1983 accepted that provision should be included
within the future capital budgets for the provision of a
Computer Aided Design System (CAD system). It was envisaged
that the introduction of the CAD system would:-
Downloaded by [ York University] on [22/09/16]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
C A D SYSTEMS
(a) Increase efficiency and competitiveness

permit schemes to be designed three-dimensionally
permit detailed evaluation of all designs and options
reduce leading in time for capital projects
help to cope with the proliferation of Codes of Practice
and Regulations
assist with the increasing complexity of modern design
work
deal with demands for detailed information
help to resist claims from contractors who are
increasingly insisting on information being
supplied on the basis of a computer format
improve quality of design and drawings
provide for improved service both to the County Council
and to Government departments
reduce cost of service
(b) assist to meet the overall capital budget programme which

was continuing to expand, and the post-1985/86 figure was
expected to be at least £15m.
Table 1. Capital Expenditure
YEAR 1982/83 1983/84 1984/85 1985/86 1986/87 1987/88
GROSS CAPITAL £11.4m £14.3m £14.6m £18.9m £19.3m £19.6m

(Estimated)
(c) assist with the overall resources/staff situation, enabling

the retention of staffing resources at about the existing
levels, provided that CAD could be introduced within the
1984/85 period, whereby no action would be taken to fill a
further ten Design and Construction posts.
THE APPRAISAL OF CAD SYSTEMS

4. Prior to obtaining the Planning and Transportation
!
Committee s authority to proceed with the implementation of the
CAD system, a group of engineers and technicians from the design
and construction section had appraised a number of products
available on the market. This was coupled with discussions
with several established CAD users and an overall view of what
would be expected from the CAD system together with short
comings was essential in order that a reasonable specification
could be achieved.
5. In the course of the investigations a few facts rapidly

became clear, not the least of which was the relatively
cautious investment in CAD by the UK construction industry
compared with the USA and Europe, or indeed with other
industries in the UK. Clearly, in mechanical and electrical
engineering, development costs of one item tend to be
recovered over a large production run, whereas this is not
generally true of civil engineering.
52
PAPER 5. JONES, HOPPER A N D BERRESFORD
6. It was also apparent that, if one merely wished to replace

the drawing board with its electronic equivalent, then virtually
every system would be suitable, as all that would be required
were a few geometric constructions and the facility for writing
text on the drawing. It was equally apparent, however, that far
more was on offer from CAD systems that could be of real
practical value to the engineer, and also to the project
administrator.
7. Of particular interest was three-dimensional modelling.

Many is the time that the engineer has had to resort to
rudimentary cardboard or polystyrene models of complicated
details, in order to ensure that what he shows on the drawing
is a true representation of the structure he wishes to build.
Given 3-D modelling, the representation of a structure in the
form of 2-D plans, elevations and sections ought to be far less
error-prone. Furthermore, the representation of perspective
views of a scheme would be most useful at the public partici
pation and committee stages, where one is usually dealing with
people who are not used to interpreting the finished product
from a set of drawings. However, it was found that very little
use was made of 3-D modelling in civil engineering.
8. Care was taken not to write too rigid a specification which

would have precluded all the available systems, and the software
specification required the following:-
(a) The MOSS highway design suite of programs which was seen to
offer a considerable saving in drafting time, as it takes m
away the labour-intensive task of the production of

longitudinal and cross-sections, so the ability to produce
MOSS drawings received a high priority in the specification
for our ideal system.
(b) The advantages of "layering" a drawing, so that the

graphics for example on a concrete outline drawing can
later be used for the reinforcement details, were also
recognised and included in the specification.
(c) Whereas repetition is not very common in civil engineering,

it does occur with certain items such as bridge beams and
parapet posts, therefore an object library was considered
an important feature.
(d) Reinforced concrete detailing with automatic bar bending

schedule was required in the system. Investigations had
shown that, although a number were available, no one system
could really be said to do everything. Accordingly, a
1
benchmark test was set which would prove a system s ability
to cope with the majority of schemes.
(e) As far as general drafting was concerned, a suitable

performance test was found which, it is understood was
53
C A D SYSTEMS
originally developed in the Netherlands. This test,

referred to as 'the test for electronic draughting is
described in Appendix 1 and was found most useful in
assessing system capabilities.
9. The decision was therefore taken to proceed with a CAD

system which should provide for:-
(a) general drafting

(b) the MOSS system
(c) reinforced concrete drawings with automatic bar bending
schedule production
(d) three dimensional drawing
(e) colour.
THE ACQUISITION OF THE CAD SYSTEM

10. Some £200,000 had been budgeted for the acquisition of a
CAD system which was anticipated to allow for two to three work
stations. Whilst various CAD systems had been appraised it was
necessary in accordance with the County Council's Standing
Orders to place public advertisements in the technical press
and "The Times", inviting manufacturers/suppliers to apply for
the CAD System Select Tender List. Overall, 22 applications
were received and 9 companies were eventually placed on the
tender list and tenders were to be returned by 1 March 1984.
11. Following the receipt of tenders, a further series of tests

were undertaken to assess the performance of the equipment
offered and three systems were subjected to a formal "test for
electronic drafting". Details are described in Appendix 1. On
the completion of these tests, it became apparent that no
tenderer could fully meet the specification and it was decided
to invite new tenders for the CAD system in August/September
1984. During the interim period further development work was
being undertaken by the potential suppliers.
12. On receipt of the new tenders from the nine companies

further tests were undertaken and a tender from Applied Research
of Cambridge Limited (ARC) was accepted in April 1985, totalling
£192,260 which included licences and initial maintenance and
provided for:-
(a) Hardware
Central processing unit (5MB) VDU
3 numbers 71 MB disk units Plotter
printer Screen copier
Communications interface 3 number work stations
(b) Software
Software for the drafting system
Three dimensional viewing
Reinforced concrete detailing system
54
P A P E R 5. JONES, HOPPER A N D BERRESFORD
(c) Training for nine members of staff was inclusive and rates
for training additional personnel were set out in the
tender.
13. The equipment was installed in August/September 1985,

together with the MOSS system, which involved a further
f
£16,127.51 including the first year s maintenance. Two further
work stations, including a colour station, were added in June
1986 at an overall cost of £36,365.00. Two further similar
work stations are currently being added and in the next finan
cial year a further two to three work stations should be added
together with an additional networked central processing unit.
These additions require tenders to be invited in the normal way
in accordance with Standing Orders. Figure 1 below shows the
system configuration.
Fig. 1 System Configuration

14. ARC became part of the McDonnell Douglas group in the last
quarter of 1985. The changeover has led to the provision of an
improved standard of software development, though service is
more impersonal with the larger company.
TRAINING
15. The training schemes offered by ARC/McDonnell Douglas were
fully utilized and two parties of eight trainee were sent on
courses over a period of nine months. Neither of the groups
had any working experience of CAD but the second group benefited
greatly from the experience already obtained by the first and
this was shown by the speed with which the later group of
trainees developed. Experience therefore indicates that the
55
C A D SYSTEMS
time lag between hardware installation and productive drawing

output could have been much reduced had an experienced CAD
operator been available from the start. Despite this and
because staff at all levels gave the system an enthusiastic
reception production of working drawings was in advance of
original expectations.
16. Training has been undertaken at Cambridge and Woking which

has involved the staff attending courses of up to five days
duration, and the training for MOSS has been undertaken in-
house. Further training will continue to be provided and to
date the following staff training programme has been completed
(a) GDSA Course (b) GDSB Course

8 staff Sept 1985 8 staff Nov 1985
8 staff Mar 1986 4 staff May 1986
2 staff Aug 1986
(c) System Managers' Course (d) 3 "D"

2 staff Oct 1985 4 staff Nov 1985
(e) Reinforced Concrete (f) MOSS

Detailing 20 staff Oct 1985
4 staff Feb 1986
17. The staff undergoing the training courses have mainly been
technicians and assistant engineers. For the MOSS course team
leaders were included whilst the systems managers are senior
assistant engineers.
DRAWING PRODUCTION WITH THE CAD SYSTEM

18. Within seven months of the training period two major road
and bridge schemes totalling £11.0m were put out to tender and
60% of the drawings were produced with the CAD system. Prior
to inviting tenders a critical situation arose due to the need
to carry out final amendments to drawings and at the same time
produce plots of the tender drawings and. to record all finished
tender drawings in the archives. This situation was overcome
by adopting an overtime plus shift working system and the
formalisation of a better planned approach whereby priorities
can be identified at peak demand times on the CAD system. In
particular it is essential to ensure that the drawings in the
archives are accurate and register up-to-date amendments.
19. The highway drawings are generally created by the MOSS

system in conjunction with digital aerial survey data and these
are transferred to the General Drafting System and filed for
future recall. With the MOSS system, in addition to the drawing
creations, the taking off of quantities is also undertaken
together with the provision of other important information such
as setting out data in the form of co-ordinates or dimensions.
20. Structural drawings usually divide into two main areas,
56
P A P E R 5. JONES, HOPPER A N D BERRESFORD
bridgeworks and associated highway structures, and building

structures. The Department acts as a Consulting Engineer to the
County Architect in structural engineering matters. A large
amount of structural drawing in this respect has been produced
on the CAD system. For example a technician and say an engineer
can be working simultaneously on different parts of the same
drawing, thereby saving time without any loss of drawing style
or accuracy.
21. There was an initial tendency for the bridgeworks general

arrangement drawings to take longer to prepare on the CAD system
as compared with the normal drawing board approach. However,
once the general arrangement drawings have been properly
constructed the associated drawings such as the reinforcement
detailing through the reinforced concrete detailing system are
produced much quicker and with greater accuracy. The opportu
nity for the designer to take hard copies of the drawings at all
stages of development means that drawings can be continually
monitored whilst being produced.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAD SYSTEM

22. The Department is continuing to develop a library of
objects which are available from screen menus thereby reducing
the time required to produce drawings. A further advancement
involves the development of input files which generate about
85% of the drafting content, say for example a pedestrian
subway taking overall less than a working day to produce.
23. The GDS system includes GDS BASIC, a programming language

which permits a limited amount of in-house development, as well
as being useful for the creation of parametric components. This
has now been supplemented by EPI (External Program Interface),
which enables external Pascal or Fotram programs to be inter
faced to the basic GDS system, opening up a wide field of
development whereby further automation and better management
of the processes involved in planning and design is being
achieved.
24. McDonnell Douglas Information Systems Ltd continue to show

a very great commitment to the civil engineering industry
including an intensive development programme. The company met
the specification and their services and back up support has not
let the design and construction section down. At the same time
area group meetings are now beginning to show results regarding
the improvement and further development of the CAD system and
the work being done corporately in Dorset will benefit all
those concerned with the design and construction industries.
SUMMARY
25. The overall case for the CAD system discussed in paragraph
3 has been met but there has not been the expected progress
regarding the production of Codes of Practices and Regulations
being provided on tape or disc format. The design and
57
C A D SYSTEMS
construction section continues successfully to compete for
project design work.
26. The pre-investigatory work undertaken by all levels of

staff who were expected to and are now using the CAD system
was very worthwhile. Having bought what we wanted and the staff
remain committed to it.
27. The total cost of the CAD system is likely to be £400,000

which is about 2% of current annual gross capital budgets and
if the cost is spread say over five years it equates to less
than \7o per annum. On top of this there is the maintenance
costs equivalent of up to four staff posts. Therefore the
M
final word must of course rest with the three "E s, and on the
basis of our present experience it is Effective, Efficient
and has made Economies because it:
(a) avoids staff doing repetitive work, improves accurancy and

reduces mistakes
(b) its production rates continue to improve without any loss

of quality
(c) it has saved in the order of £200,000 per annum on staff

costs.
28. We can only suggest that our approach in Dorset to make

full and proper use of modern technology is helping to provide
all our customers with a better service and at the same time
is enhancing the standing of the civil engineer in the highly
competitive professional fields within which we operate.
Acknowledgement is made to Mr G L Vizard, County Surveyor,

BSc DipTP(Lond) CEng MICE MRTPI ASVA MInstWM FRSA FIHT DipTE.
58
PAPER 5. JONES, HOPPER A N D BERRESFORD
APPENDIX 1
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN - TESTS
1. The 'test for electronic drafting* required the drawing
shown in Figure 2 to be produced in various layers. Drawing
with the aid of a grid was prohibited. Overall the test was
required to show:-
(a) various line styles and objects
(b) that parts of the drawing could be interchanged and amended
between layers
(c) that parts of the drawing could be replotted, transferred,
rotated and re-scaled
(d) areas and dimensions of the drawing could be generated
automatically.
2. The reinforced concrete detailing system required the pro
duction of a drawing for a reinforced concrete wall fully
detailed with a metric bar schedule being produced automatically
including shape code 99.
3. In order to assess the response time and memory usage,
various types of lines and lettering were required to be drawn
with an indication of the necessary disc storage space together
with the time taken to produce the drawings onto the screen.
400
8
§
8
I
8
Scale 1:10
59
Paper 6. Reinforced concrete detailing systems for civil
engineering
J.R. ROWLEY, BSc(Eng), MICE, and J.C. NEWBY, BSc(Eng), MICE,

MiStmctE, W.S. Atkins & Partners
SYNOPSIS
WS Atkins & Partners is a large civil engineering
c o n s u l t a n c y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e d e s i g n and d e t a i l i n g of a
wide range o f reinforced concrete structures. Over t h e
p a s t few y e a r s , the consultancy has introduced computer
aided draughting and i n the process has i n v e s t i g a t e d a
number o f alternative systems capable of RC d e t a i l i n g .
Ir.-house trials of three systems and d e m o n s t r a t i o n of
others have e n a b l e d t h e authors t o produce a l i s t o f t h e
f u n c t i o n a l r e q u i r e m e n t s t h a t make an RC d e t a i l i n g system
f e a s i b l e f o r use i n C i v i l E n g i n e e r i n g .
INTRODUCTION
1.1 The a u t h o r s represent the CAD d e p a r t m e n t o f WS
A t k i n s & P a r t n e r s w h i c h p r o v i d e s CAD s u p p o r t to divisions
covering civil, structural, transportation and w a t e r &
public health engineering. Each o f t h e s e d i v i s i o n s and
d i s c i p l i n e s produce r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e designs which have
their own p a r t i c u l a r requirements f o r d i f f e r i n g functions
within an RC d e t a i l i n g system. Against this varied
background, three systems - BARD, GIPSYS and GDS have been
used w i t h i n WS A t k i n s & P a r t n e r s for RC d e t a i l i n g . This
paper does n o t seek t o compare t h e s e nor any other
s y s t e m s , i n s t e a d , t h e e x p e r i e n c e g a i n e d i s used t o discuss
the requirements o f a r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e d e t a i l i n g system
for c i v i l engineering.
1.2 S e v e r a l s u p p l i e r s were f o u n d to offer detailing
packages linked to design programs. Examination o f these
showed t h a t i n g e n e r a l t h e y a p p l i e d o n l y t o simple regular
concrete elements; beams, c o l u m n s , s l a b s e t c , and t h a t t h e
d e s i g n a s p e c t c o v e r e d b u i l d i n g codes o n l y - at that time
CP110. Projects undertaken by WS A t k i n s Structural
D i v i s i o n f e l l i n t o t h i s c a t e g o r y and BARD, p r o d u c e d by the
C&CA was p u r c h a s e d and has s i n c e been used s u c c e s s f u l l y on
several p r o j e c t s .
CAD SYSTEMS
1.3 P r o j e c t s undertaken by o t h e r divisions did not

fall into the BARD c a t e g o r y due t o i r r e g u l a r e l e m e n t s and
t h e use o f non-building codes. A general RC detailing
s y s t e m was t h e r e f o r e r e q u i r e d t h a t would handle a l l these
other projects. WS A t k i n s chose to investigate GDS and
GIPSYS by e x t e n s i v e t r i a l - GDS because i t had been i n use
in the f i r m for several years as a general draughting
system and GIPSYS b e c a u s e , specified and w r i t t e n by
Consulting Engineers, it seemed l i k e l y to be t h e more
comprehensive solution. The comments that follow relate
t o RC d e t a i l i n g systems f o r g e n e r a l u s e .
FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1 The o b j e c t i v e s upon w h i c h the selection of a
s y s t e m was based were fundamentally threefold; improved
q u a l i t y , c o n s i s t e n t p r e s e n t a t i o n and c o s t s a v i n g s .
2.2 Quality is i m p r o v e d beyond t h a t a c h i e v e d m a n u a l l y
by many CAD f e a t u r e s ; e.g. automatic scheduling and
replication of details. The a u t o m a t i o n o f as many e r r o r
prone processes as p o s s i b l e increases reliability; e.g.
the use and u p d a t e o f o u t l i n e s shown on G . A . s e l i m i n a t e s
p o s s i b l e e r r o r i n r e d r a w i n g f o r RC d e t a i l i n g .
2.3 Improved presentation is obtained through
uniformity and n e a t n e s s b u t does r e q u i r e t h a t t h e w h o l e o f
t h e d r a w i n g i s p r o d u c e d on t h e CAD s y s t e m . The a b i l i t y to
easily compose RC d r a w i n g o u t l i n e s a t d i f f e r e n t s c a l e s and
c o n t e n t t o t h e e q u i v a l e n t G.A.s a l s o works to improve the
p r e s e n t a t i o n o f congested d e t a i l s .
2.4 Cost savings are a f u n c t i o n of the c a p i t a l cost
of the system, the investment in training, management
charges, t h e reduced time taken t o produce a drawing and
t h e amount o f use made o f t h e s y s t e m .
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

2D, 2\D o r 3D
3.1 Detailed discussion of the differences between
the models c r e a t e d w i t h i n CAD systems i s o u t s i d e t h e scope
of this paper. Nevertheless, RC detailing system
suppliers have adopted a variety of approaches. The
s i m p l e s t i s t o take the view that the system r e p l a c e s a
drawing board and t h e n build on t h a t concept so t h a t
f e a t u r e s such as automatic scheduling are included. A
particular drawback of t h i s approach i s t o l i m i t views o f
b a r s t o t h o s e on o r t h o g o n a l a x e s .
3.2 The o t h e r e x t r e m e i s t o a d o p t a 3D model approach
wherein the structure to be r e i n f o r c e d is represented
either as e l e m e n t a l solids or as a wire frame. The
reinforcement is then input to the system relative
(usually) to the surfaces of the object. The 3D model in
general civil engineering applications is costly to
g e n e r a t e b u t i t can be q u i t e u s e f u l t o be a b l e to work on
a single isometric v i e w o f t h e o b j e c t when p o s i t i o n i n g 3D
62
PAPER 6. ROWLEY A N D NEWBY
bars. The main p r o b l e m w i t h the approach, however, is

that the 3D model generated is not a conventional
description f o r c i v i l engineering drawings. The automatic
generation of conventional plan, elevation and section
views may be a v a i l a b l e in some s y s t e m s , e.g. Laing
Technology Group's Computervision, but the operator is
s t i l l f a c e d w i t h t h e c h o i c e between m a k i n g f u r t h e r changes
on t h e model or taking a s h o r t c u t by a l t e r i n g o n l y t h e
generated views. The a u t h o r s ' view is that, in many
c a s e s , 3D i s l i k e l y to provide as many p r o b l e m s as it
solves.
3.3 Some systems fall between the 2D and 3D
categories and as such a r e o f t e n referred to as 2iD
systems. GIPSYS, for example, includes the ability to
move b a r s w i t h i n a 3D a x i s s y s t e m and p l a c e t h e n o n t o a 2D
outline drawing. PAFEC's DOGS RC has t h e ability to
produce a u t o m a t i c cross-sections f r o m 2D d e f i n i t i o n s of
simple elements.
Codes o f P r a c t i c e
4.1 Most d e t a i l i n g systems incorporate support for
BS4466. This includes a definition of the preferred
shapes b u t quite possibly not all shapes. In simpler
systems, none of the 3D shapes are likely to be
available. The a u t h o r s have f o u n d t h e GIPSYS approach,
using an e x t e r n a l file to list the p r a c t i c e dependent
a l g o r i t h m s , t o be a u s e f u l one. Computing and advanced
geometric skills are necessary t o be a b l e t o g e n e r a t e o r
add t o t h i s e x t e r n a l f i l e b u t t h e a d v a n t a g e of being able
to support any p r o j e c t r e q u i r e m e n t makes t h i s w o r t h w h i l e .
The f i l e also allows user d e f i n e d checks for bending
d i m e n s i o n c o m p l i a n c e t o be i n c l u d e d .
Non-Standard bars
5.1 Whilst support for standard BS4466 shapes is
always included, t h e way i n w h i c h systems deal with
non-standard shapes v a r i e s considerably. Two t y p e s of
non-standard bars are r e q u i r e d ; those used r e g u l a r l y and
those produced f o r o n e - o f f o c c u r r e n c e s .
5.2 WS A t k i n s use some 12 n o n - s t a n d a r d shapes f o r
bridgeworks and t h u s require these to be available
parametrically and t o appear on a s c h e d u l e as shape code
99103 f o r e x a m p l e . W i t h GIPSYS t h i s has been a c h i e v e d by
adding t o t h e e x t e r n a l code o f p r a c t i c e f i l e . Sample b a r s
a r e shown i n f i g u r e 1 .
5.3 When o n e - o f f non-standard shapes are required
they s h o u l d be c r e a t e d g r a p h i c a l l y w i t h i n the d e t a i l i n g
system r a t h e r t h a n f o r c i n g an e x i t to edit the external
file.
63
C A D SYSTEMS
| SHAPE | METHOD OF MEASUREMENT OF T O T A L L E N G T H OF D I M E N S I O N S TO BE

BAR ( L ) MEASURED S T A T E D I N COLUMNS
CODE BENDING DIMENSIONS A L O N G C E N T R E L I N E A t o E OF S C H E D U L E
99102 2(A*B)*3n
99105 B*C*E-r-2d
F i g u r e 1 : Sample n o n - s t a n d a r d b a r shapes
S p e c i f y i n g b a r d i m e n s i o n s and a n g l e s
6.1 The most regularly used method o f s p e c i f y i n g b a r
d i m e n s i o n s i s t o key them i n . Otherwise, dimensions, from
which cover is deducted automaticalTy, and a n g l e s are
indicated by hitting the outline. This process y i e l d s a
v e r s i o n o f the c u r r e n t bar which i s fully dimensioned but
not yet placed. Most systems seem t o use t h i s a p p r o a c h o f
p r e - d e f i n i n g t h e bar dimensions before p l a c i n g .
Bar placing
7.1 The p l a c i n g of bars on a d r a w i n g is usually
c a r r i e d o u t by r e f e r e n c e to one o f the corner origins.
The u s e r s h o u l d be a b l e t o choose any v e r t e x as t h e o r i g i n
and, i n a d d i t i o n , should be a b l e to snap t h e mid-point
along any l e g o n t o any f e a t u r e l i n e o f t h e d r a w i n g . Other
p l a c i n g requirements are t o m i r r o r or r o t a t e the bar about
any a x i s .
Covers
8.1 Bending dimensions can be d e r i v e d r e l i a b l y by t h e
use o f p r e - s p e c i f i e d c o v e r s . The GIPSYS e x t e r n a l practice
file allows covers to be g i v e n v a r i a b l e names e . g . FC -
foundation cover, and t h e n used in the input of bar
dimensions. C o r n e r o r i g i n s may a l s o be o f f s e t by cover
dimensions in order that bars may be p l a c e d on an e x a c t
p o i n t such as t h e c o r n e r o f an e l e m e n t .
64
8.2 GDS employs c o v e r b o u n d a r i e s i n which the cover

outline is traced inside the element outline. Bar
d i m e n s i o n s may t h e n be f i x e d by t h i s boundary foregoing
the need t o subtract covers from o v e r a l l dimensions.
Covers may be checked whenever n e c e s s a r y by t h e 'measure'
facility but the authors prefer t o have t h e i n f o r m a t i o n
p r e - d e f i n e d as w i t h GIPSYS.
Lap l e n g t h s
9.1 The a b i l i t y t o s t o r e and use s t a n d a r d lap lengths
is another aid to improved r e l i a b i l i t y b u t as w i t h b a r
shapes t h e s e need t o be a d j u s t a b l e t o suit the particular
code t h a t is being worked t o . Again t h i s s h o u l d be a
function of the external practice f i l e so t h a t consistent
usage i s a s s u r e d .
Ladders
1 0 . 1 Most c a l l - u p extents are indicated by a s i m p l e
'ladder' showing one v i e w o f a sample b a r w h i c h is
intersected orthogonally by the ladder line.
Conventially, the c a l l - u p is placed at one end o f the
ladder. However, if the l a d d e r arrangements are l i m i t e d
t o t h i s basic concept i t w o u l d be i m p o s s i b l e to prepare
complete r e i n f o r c e d concrete drawings.
1 0 . 2 The r e q u i r e m e n t s for more complex l a d d e r s may be
divided into purely graphical changes and t h o s e which
a f f e c t the placing of bars. Examples o f the former would
be j o g g l i n g the end o f the ladder to find room for
otherwise cramped c a l l - u p text, or placing bars a t an
angle other than orthogonal t o the l a d d e r . The o t h e r type
includes variable (a-z) bars, sub-ladder lengths with
d i f f e r e n t s p a c i n g , r a d i a l and c i r c u m f e r e n t i a l ladders. An
example o f the use o f v a r i a b l e b a r s i s shown i n f i g u r e 2 .
I t h e l p s keep t h e s y s t e m s i m p l e if the elementary, i.e.
graphical, changes can be o b t a i n e d w i t h s t a n d a r d d e t a i l i n g
r a t h e r t h a n s p e c i a l RC d e t a i l i n g commands.
Call-ups
11.1 In the authors' experience, little deviation is
now made i n t h e UK f r o m t h e u s u a l c a l l - u p n o t a t i o n o f ;
number, steel grade, diameter, bar mark, centres and
position. e.g. 15T25-10-200B. However t h e ability to
u s e r - d e f i n e c a l l up s t y l e may be n e c e s s a r y for overseas
work.
1 1 . 2 The ability to add a d d i t i o n a l information to
c a l l - u p s , such as NF, FF, ABR e t c i s required. Annotation
of further drawings of bars i n s e c t i o n i s also necessary
and can t a k e one o f s e v e r a l f o r m s as shown in figure 3.
Measured d i m e n s i o n s necessary for steel f i x i n g s h o u l d be
obtainable from the graphical database.
65
C A D SYSTEMS
9T20-64-125 FF UT16-50-125
9 T 2 0 - 6 5 - 1 2 5 FF 11T16-59-125 NF
9T16-66-125 "16-63-125 NF I 7T16-62-125
Elevation Wmgwall
F i g u r e 2 : Example o f t h e use o f v a r i a b l e bars
F i g u r e 3 : Bar C a l l - u p s - secondary annotation
Draughtsman's l i c e n c e
12.1 With general arrangement d r a u g h t i n g t h e r e is only
one database in use - the graphical one. Thus,
d r a u g h t s m a n ' s l i c e n c e i s accomodated by s i m p l y drawing as
one w i s h e s to see. RC d e t a i l i n g r e q u i r e s an a d d i t i o n a l
database for storing the scheduling data and it is
important that this is not affected by visual
improvements. Examples w o u l d i n c l u d e a detailer reducing
the drawn l e n g t h of a b a r t o s i m p l i f y a complex d e t a i l .
This i s handled q u i t e e a s i l y i n a s y s t e m where t h e bars
a r e h e l d i n 3D as t h e b a r may be r o t a t e d i n t o t h e p a p e r t o
66
reduce t h e viewed l e n g t h but holding the true length

unchanged. Further d r a w i n g s o f t h e b a r based on d a t a b a s e ,
r a t h e r than graphical i n f o r m a t i o n , w i l l r e s u l t i n the true
length being retrieved. 2D systems such as GDS a l l o w t h e
user t o t r i m l e g l e n g t h s with graphical editing commands
w h i c h do n o t affect the s c h e d u l e d l e n g t h b u t can a f f e c t
subsequent c o p i e s .
1 2 . 2 O t h e r examples i n c l u d e t h e c h o i c e between showing
'ticks' at either b a r e n d , o r n o t , i f so r e q u i r e d and t h e
diameter of ' b l o b s ' representing bars in section which,
irrespective of scale, s h o u l d n o t f a l l b e l o w a minimum o f
a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1mm.
1 2 . 3 The a b i l i t y t o amend g r a p h i c s whilst leaving the
schedule database unchanged is required for the not
uncommon p r a c t i c e o f s c h e d u l i n g a s t r a i g h t b a r but showing
i t f i x e d t o a c u r v e on t h e d r a w i n g .
Ease o f e d i t i n g
1 3 . 1 The ease w i t h w h i c h changes can be made t o t h e
detailing is important for productivity but editing
facilities must also ensure t h a t t h e i n h e r e n t r e l i a b i l i t y
of the system is maintained. Deletion facilities, for
example, must d e l e t e all drawings o f a bar not j u s t the
one i n t h e v i e w b e i n g w o r k e d o n . Changing o f bar diameter
must adjust radii to suit. E f f e c t s o f such a change o f
d i a m e t e r on l a p l e n g t h a r e u s u a l l y l e f t t o t h e d e t a i l e r to
adjust although it is conceivable that, given an
a p p r o p r i a t e database s t r u c t u r e , t h i s could be c a r r i e d out
automatically.
13.2 Editing facilities often appear to have been
added as an a f t e r t h o u g h t r a t h e r t h a n as an" " i n t e g r a l part
of an RC d e t a i l i n g s y s t e m as a n y t h i n g o t h e r t h a n m i n o r
changes r e s u l t i n b a r s h a v i n g t o be c o m p l e t e l y deleted and
then input again from s c r a t c h . As a r e s u l t i t can t a k e
l o n g e r t o make a f a i r l y m i n o r change t o e x i s t i n g bars than
i t t o o k t o i n p u t them i n t h e f i r s t p l a c e .
Bar g r o u p c o p y i n g
14.1 In practice, bars are grouped t o g e t h e r for
s c h e d u l i n g p u r p o s e s and t h i s f a c i l i t y i s included in most
systems. The reuse of groups of bars by copying,
mirroring and r o t a t i n g requires the option to either
maintain b a r mark numbers and add t o existing total
numbers o f b a r s o r t o change t h e b a r s t o a new s e t of bar
marks. In the first instance changes (including
deletions) to a bar in one g r o u p s h o u l d be r e f l e c t e d i n
the copied group but in the second instance, total
independence, one g r o u p from the o t h e r , i s r e q u i r e d . It
is, of course, obvious that full 'tracking' of mark
numbers t o a v o i d d u p l i c a t e s i s e s s e n t i a l .
67
CAD SYSTEMS
S c h e d u l e f o r m a t and c o n t e n t s
15.1 Schedules are generally formatted i n accordance
w i t h BS4466 a l t h o u g h t h e f a c i l i t y t o amend t o suit house
s t y l e s or p r o j e c t requirements i s necessary.
15.2 The summation of bar length by d i a m e t e r a n d / o r
other category and t h u s calculation of weights of
reinforcement is a s i m p l e c o m p u t e r o p e r a t i o n and n e c e s s a r y
for Bills of Quantity. These summations are generally
carried out for each d r a w i n g , w h i c h i s q u i t e a d e q u a t e f o r
most c i r c u m s t a n c e s . However, t h e Department of Transport
Method o f Measurement for Road and B r i d g e w o r k s ( S e c t i o n
15) r e q u i r e s t h a t r e i n f o r c e m e n t w e i g h t s are summarised by
structural element category, e.g. end-supports sub
structure, intermediate-supports substructures, super
structures etc These categories are often not
identifiable by a drawing split, rendering the drawing
weight summaries redundant. Providing the groups are
named in accordance with t h e D e p a r t m e n t method i t s h o u l d
be f e a s i b l e t o schedule, and t h e r e f o r e weight, a whole
g r o u p o f d r a w i n g s as a b a t c h .
Hardware
1 6 . 1 Most of the available RC packages run on
mini-computer or workstation hardware platforms. Capital
costs, including software are still in the order of
£25,000 per 'seat' although competition and technical
development is having a r e m a r k a b l e e f f e c t on t h e h a r d w a r e
component. At the other end o f the scale, the less
functional RC packages associated with micro-computer
based CAD s t a t i o n s are now becoming a v a i l a b l e on m i c r o s
which are p o t e n t i a l l y more p o w e r f u l than typical minis.
Here t h e c a p i t a l c o s t s can be as l o w as £ 1 0 , 0 0 0 p e r s e a t .
16.2 In the authors' experience, a well thought out
use o f c o l o u r can g r e a t l y enhance an RC d e t a i l i n g system's
ease o f u s e .
CONCLUSIONS
17.1 RC d e t a i l i n g is not as s i m p l e an e x e r c i s e as a t
f i r s t i t might appear. The a u t h o r s ' impression is that
all software houses i n i t i a l l y underestimated requirements
and t h a t w h i l e some a r e now p u t t i n g right many o f the
i n i t i a l d e f i c i e n c e s , o t h e r s have s t i l l t o a c t .
17.2 RC detailing of civil engineering structures
requires much f l e x i b i l i t y within CAD systems. The
facility for the user to tailor a system t o h i s own
requirements is important, indeed vital, for many
businesses.
17.3 No s y s t e m as y e t offers the d e f i n i t i v e single
solution for all users. Nevertheless, speaking from
experience, it has been p o s s i b l e t o c o m p l e t e a l l d r a w i n g s
u s i n g t h e CAD systems a v a i l a b l e .
68
Riper 7. Computer aided detailing — the current context
A.S. WATSON, BTech, PhD, MICE, Department of Civil Engineering,

University of Leeds
SYNOPSIS. T h i s p a p e r i s n o t c o n c e r n e d w i t h s p e c i f i c d e t a i l i n g
s y s t e m s ; i t seeks t o e s t a b l i s h t h e c o n t e x t i n w h i c h such
systems o p e r a t e d by e x p l o r i n g t h e w i d e r f i e l d o f Computer A i d e d
Design. Most computer d e t a i l i n g systems have d e v e l o p e d i n
p a r a l l e l w i t h design and/or d r a f t i n g sytems. The r e a s o n s f o r
such l i n k a g e a r e c o n s i d e r e d and c o n c l u s i o n s drawn r e g a r d i n g
the f u t u r e e v o l u t i o n of d e t a i l i n g systems.
INTRODUCTION
1. Many c i v i l e n g i n e e r s have a s c e p t i c a l v i e w o f t h e
t e c h n i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n of computers. T h i s a t t i t u d e can be
defended s i n c e t h e m a j o r i t y o f s t r u c t u r e s l a c k f e a t u r e s t h a t
make computer t e c h n i q u e s e s s e n t i a l f o r t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f a
good d e s i g n .
2. I f u n u s u a l s t r u c t u r e s and s p e c i a l i s t s e c t o r s o f t h e
i n d u s t r y are e x c l u d e d , computers are a p p l i e d t o the d e s i g n o f
s t r u c t u r e s o n l y when i t i s b e l i e v e d t o be c o s t e f f e c t i v e .
However such e v a l u a t i o n s a r e n o t e a s i l y made and d e c i s i o n s a r e
a l s o i n f l u e n c e d by c o n s i d e r a t i o n s o f image and p e r s o n a l
preference.
3. Much p i o n e e r i n g w o r k on t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f c o m p u t e r s t o
t h e p r o c e s s o f s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n was c o n d u c t e d by c i v i l
engineers. While t e c h n i c a l l i m i t a t i o n s remain, the c o n t i n u i n g
f a l l i n t h e r e a l c o s t o f c o m p u t e r s and t h e c o n s t a n t p r e s s u r e
on f e e s w i l l p r o g r e s s i v e l y i n c r e a s e t h e p r o p o r t i o n o f w o r k
conducted w i t h the a i d of computers.
THE PROCESS OF STRUCTURAL DESIGN

4. Most s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n s b r e a k down n a t u r a l l y i n t o t h e
t h r e e p h a s e s ; p r e l i m i n a r y d e s i g n , a n a l y s i s and d e t a i l e d d e s i g n .
I n t e r a c t i o n s w i t h o t h e r members o f t h e d e s i g n team may l i m i t
t h e s e q u e n t i a l n a t u r e o f t h e p r o c e s s ( R e f . 1).
Preliminary design
5. The most c r i t i c a l d e s i g n d e c i s i o n s a r e made d u r i n g t h e
p r e l i m i n a r y d e s i g n ; t h e s t r u c t u r a l f o r m , m a t e r i a l s and p r o b a b l e
member s i z e s . Computers have made l i t t l e i m p a c t on t h i s phase
s i n c e i t i s d i f f i c u l t t o c o m p u t e r i s e , d r a w i n g as i t does on
t h e e x p e r i e n c e and i n t u i t i o n o f t h e e n g i n e e r . Also i t i s the
CAD SYSTEMS
most c r e a t i v e phase o f t h e d e s i g n p r o c e s s and t h u s t h e one i n

w h i c h e n g i n e e r s w o u l d l e a s t l i k e t o see t h e i n t r u s i o n o f
computers.
6. However t h e r e i s agreement t h a t d e c i s i o n s u p p o r t systems
a p p l i e d t o t h i s phase o f t h e d e s i g n p r o c e s s o f f e r t h e g r e a t e s t
p o t e n t i a l f o r improving the q u a l i t y of design. Practical
computer t o o l s w i l l n o t become g e n e r a l l y a v a i l a b l e f o r some
t i m e and a r e l i k e l y t o be based on A r t i f i c i a l I n t e l l i g e n c e
techniques (Ref. 2 , 3 ) .
Analysis
7. Having completed the p r e l i m i n a r y design the process of
s t r u c t u r a l a n a l y s i s i s r e l a t i v e l y d e t e r m i n i s t i c and t h u s more
amenable t o s o l u t i o n by c o m p u t e r . W h i l e changes i n d e s i g n
codes have t e n d e d t o i n c r e a s e t h e volume o f a n a l y s i s t h e
m a j o r i t y o f s t r u c t u r e s can s t i l l be a n a l y s e d by h a n d . However
t h e r e i s g e n e r a l agreement on t h e v a l u e o f computers f o r t h e
a n a l y s i s o f complex s t r u c t u r e s .
8. S i g n i f i c a n t improvements i n t h e user i n t e r f a c e o f the
c u r r e n t g e n e r a t i o n o f a n a l y s i s programs have r e d u c e d t h e r e a l
c o s t o f t h e i r use t o t h e p o i n t t h a t i t i s now a c o s t e f f e c t i v e
option f o r the m a j o r i t y of s t r u c t u r e s .
D e t a i l e d Design
9. D e t a i l e d d e s i g n c o v e r s t h e d e s i g n i n d e t a i l o f each
s t r u c t u r a l e l e m e n t , t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f w o r k i n g d r a w i n g s and
the p r e p a r a t i o n of s p e c i f i c a t i o n s . T h i s phase i s c r i t i c a l
t o the c o r r e c t n e s s o f the design y e t i t i s a major p r o d u c t i o n
task. T r a d i t i o n a l l y c o n s i d e r a b l e r e l i a n c e was p l a c e d on t h e
s k i l l s of t e c h n i c i a n s t o a s s i s t i n the execution of t h i s work.
The c u r r e n t l a c k o f e x p e r i e n c e d t e c h n i c i a n s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t
f a c t o r i n t h e g r o w i n g i n t e r e s t i n t h e use o f t h e computer as
a production t o o l . However t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f computers t o
d e t a i l e d d e s i g n phase i s n o t as y e t s u f f i c i e n t l y w i d e s p r e a d t o
i n d i c a t e g e n e r a l acceptance o f the b e n e f i t s .
10. W i t h i n s p e c i f i c f i e l d s s p e c i a l i s t s o f t w a r e packages have
become e s t a b l i s h e d d e s i g n t o o l s , f o r example MOSS ( R e f . 4) f o r
h i g h w a y s and m a j o r e a r t h w o r k s a p p l i c a t i o n s . This i s not the
case f o r t h e g e n e r a l d e s i g n o f r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e and
s t e e l w o r k s t r u c t u r e s where t h e use o f c o m p u t e r s as a p r o d u c t i o n
t o o l i s v a r i a b l e b u t o v e r a l l i s s t i l l a t a low l e v e l . For
e x a m p l e , most s p e c i f i c a t i o n s a r e now p r e p a r e d w i t h t h e a i d o f
a word p r o c e s s o r b u t t h e p r o p o r t i o n o f d r a w i n g s p r e p a r e d u s i n g
a computer d r a f t i n g s y s t e m i s s m a l l .
11. As t h e economic f a c t o r s become l e s s s i g n i f i c a n t i t i s
becoming a p p a r e n t t h a t o t h e r i s s u e s a r e d e l a y i n g t h e g e n e r a l
d e p l o y m e n t o f c o m p u t e r s as a p r o d u c t i o n t o o l .
DETAILING
12. D e t a i l i n g i s the process o f g e n e r a t i n g the low l e v e l
i n f o r m a t i o n necessary t o a l l o w the c o n s t r u c t i o n of i n d i v i d u a l
s t r u c t u r a l elements. I t takes place a f t e r the general
a r r a n g e m e n t o f t h e s t r u c t u r e has been d e f i n e d and t h e o v e r a l l
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PAPER 7. WATSON
s t r u c t u r a l a n a l y s i s c o m p l e t e d and f o l l o w s on f r o m , b u t may be
an i n t e g r a l p a r t o f , t h e d e t a i l e d d e s i g n o f t h e e l e m e n t s .
Usually the i n f o r m a t i o n i s expressed i n the form of drawings
and s c h e d u l e s . Their preparation requires considerable s k i l l
and e x p e r i e n c e and f r e q u e n t l y i n v o l v e s t h e need f o r s u p p l e
mentary c a l c u l a t i o n s . S i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e s e x i s t i n the
n a t u r e o f d e t a i l i n g as a p p l i e d t o r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e and
s t r u c t u r a l steelwork.
Reinforced Concrete
13. UK d e s i g n e r o f f i c e s t r a d i t i o n a l l y p r o d u c e t o - s c a l e
reinforcement d e t a i l drawings p l u s bar schedules. These may
be p r e p a r e d by t h e d e s i g n e n g i n e e r o r by a d e t a i l e r (who may
be l o c a t e d e l s e w h e r e ) . Thus t h e d e s i g n c a l c u l a t i o n s f o r each
element t e n d t o be c o m p r e h e n s i v e and a c c u r a t e g e n e r a l a r r a n g e
ment d r a w i n g s a r e a p r e - r e q u i s i t e .
14. I n some cases t h e r e i n f o r c e m e n t i s d e t a i l e d by t h e
c o n t r a c t o r , t h e d e s i g n e r u s u a l l y p r o v i d e s t y p i c a l d e t a i l s and
c a l c u l a t i o n s t h a t s p e c i f y t h e amount and p o s i t i o n o f t h e
reinforcement.
15. The d e t a i l e r must e n s u r e t h a t t h e r e i n f o r c e m e n t
s a t i s f i e s t h e d e s i g n e r s c a l c u l a t i o n s , i s w e l l d e t a i l e d and i s
p r a c t i c a l to construct. To do t h i s he needs access t o t h e
c a l c u l a t i o n s and t h e g e n e r a l a r r a n g e m e n t d r a w i n g s b u t t h e r e i s
l i t t l e need f o r i n t e r a c t i o n w i t h t h e d e s i g n e r . Greater
i n t e r a c t i o n may be needed i f t h e r e i n f o r c e m e n t i s u n u s u a l o r
congested.
S t r u c t u r a l Steelwork
16. U s u a l l y s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k i s d e t a i l e d by t h e
f a b r i c a t o r , the design engineer s u p p l i e s schematic drawings
w h i c h i n d i c a t e member s i z e s and d e s i g n l o a d s f o r t h e
connections. The d e s i g n o f t h e c o n n e c t o r s i s t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
of the f a b r i c a t o r a l t h o u g h the designer w i l l probably i n d i c a t e
the form o f the c o n n e c t i o n . I n some s i t u a t i o n s t h e d e s i g n
engineer w i l l prepare f u l l y d e t a i l e d drawings.
17. The s t e e l w o r k d e t a i l e r p r o d u c e s f a b r i c a t i o n d r a w i n g s
and c a l c u l a t i o n s f o r t h e c o n n e c t i o n s . He i s c o n c e r n e d w i t h
f a b r i c a t i o n and e r e c t i o n as w e l l as t h e s t r u c t u r a l adequacy
of the connections.
Summary
18. The d e t a i l i n g o f r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e can be s u b - d i v i d e d
i n t o two r e l a t i v e l y i n d e p e n d e n t o p e r a t i o n s . The p r e p a r a t i o n
of d e t a i l e d design c a l c u l a t i o n s , which i n t e r a c t s q u i t e
s t r o n g l y w i t h t h e o t h e r d e s i g n p h a s e s , and t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f
d e t a i l d r a w i n g s w h i c h does n o t . Steelwork d e t a i l i n g normally
does n o t i n t e r a c t s t r o n g l y w i t h t h e o t h e r d e s i g n phases b u t
t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f d e t a i l e d d e s i g n c a l c u l a t i o n s and f a b r i c a t i o n
drawings are u s u a l l y c l o s e l y l i n k e d .
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN SYSTEMS

19. C u r r e n t l y most s o f t w a r e packages can be c l a s s i f i e d as
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CAD SYSTEMS
a n a l y s i s , elemental design or d r a f t i n g . A n a l y s i s programs

have e v o l v e d o v e r many y e a r s and a r e now v e r y s o p h i s t i c a t e d
b u t as y e t t h e y do n o t o f f e r g u i d a n c e t o t h e u s e r ( R e f . 5 ) .
Elemental Design
20. Programs f o r t h e d e t a i l e d d e s i g n o f i n d i v d i u a l s t r u c t u r a l
e l e m e n t s have been a v a i l a b l e f o r some t i m e b u t have n o t
achieved widespread a p p l i c a t i o n . A major f a c t o r i s t h e i r l a c k
o f f l e x i b i l i t y . To maximise t h e e f f i c i e n c y o f use t h e volume
o f i n p u t d a t a i s u s u a l l y k e p t t o a minimum w h i c h r e s t r i c t s t h e
p o t e n t i a l scope o f t h e p r o g r a m . Thus t h e s o f t w a r e may o n l y be
able to deal w i t h a p r o p o r t i o n o f t h e members i n a s t r u c t u r e .
T h i s d i s r u p t s t h e production cycle. Also, while the resulting
d e s i g n may be a d e q u a t e , i t may be i n c o n s i s t e n t i n d e t a i l w i t h
other parts of the s t r u c t u r e .
21. A u t o m a t i o n of the d e s i g n p r o c e s s raises p h i l o s o p h i c a l
p r o b l e m s s i n c e t h e y a r e many c o r r e c t s o l u t i o n s . T h u s , i f
s i g n i f i c a n t s a v i n g s a r e t o be made by t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f
c o m p u t e r s , t h i s may n e c e s s i t a t e some r e d u c t i o n o f t h e e n g i n e e r ' s
c o n t r o l o f t h e s o l u t i o n . The c o r r e c t b a l a n c e may n o t have been
a c h i e v e d by t h e c u r r e n t g e n e r a t i o n o f d e s i g n packages b u t a
degree o f d e l e g a t i o n i s i n e v i t a b l e . I t can be i n f e r r e d t h a t
c o n f i d e n c e and c o m m u n i c a t i o n a r e i m p o r t a n t i s s u e s .
Computer D r a f t i n g
22. Some UK companies have i n v e s t e d h e a v i l y i n computer
d r a f t i n g systems b u t such systems have y e t t o make a
s i g n i f i c a n t i m p a c t on t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f s t r u c t u r a l d r a w i n g s .
I t i s i n e v i t a b l e t h a t t h i s s i t u a t i o n w i l l ch'ange. Cost has
been a m a j o r o b s t a c l e a n d , w h i l e t h i s i s no l o n g e r t h e c a s e ,
t h e UK m a r k e t f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n i n d u s t r y d r a f t i n g systems i s
b o t h s m a l l and f r a g m e n t e d ( R e f . 6 ) . One consequence i s t h a t
v e n d o r s have n o t had t h e r e v e n u e s f o r r a p i d p r o d u c t
development and many o f t h e systems c u r r e n t l y a v a i l a b l e were
not created f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n i n d u s t r y a p p l i c a t i o n s . Many
d r a f t i n g system users are n o t able t o r e a l i s e a l l the p o t e n t i a l
b e n e f i t s o f computer d r a f t i n g ( R e f . 7 ) .
23. D r a f t i n g Systems can be c l a s s i f i e d i n t o a number o f
g e n e r i c t y p e s - 2D, 2 i D , 3D and G e o m e t r i c S o l i d M o d e l l i n g
(GSM) - d e p e n d i n g upon t h e n a t u r e o f t h e d a t a b a s e used t o
store the l i n e w o r k . B o t h t h e c a p a b i l i t y and t h e c o s t o f
systems i n c r e a s e i n moving up t h i s range f r o m 2D t o GSM.
24. The most s i g n i f i c a n t o f t h e p o t e n t i a l b e n e f i t s i s
c o n c e r n e d w i t h c o o r d i n a t i o n , some systems e n a b l e t h e c r e a t i o n
o f c o m p l i a n t d r a w i n g s w h i c h have l i n e w o r k t h a t i s a l w a y s
mutually compatible. 2D systems a r e g e n e r a l l y t h e s i m p l e s t
t o use b u t i n t h i s case t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r a u t o m a t i c c o m p l i a n c e
i s l i m i t e d t o d r a w i n g s l y i n g i n t h e same p l a n e . Little
c o m p a t i b i l i t y e x i s t s between t h e d a t a b a s e s o f d i f f e r e n t
d r a f t i n g s y s t e m s , even i f t h e y a r e o f t h e same g e n e r i c t y p e .
The I n i t i a l G r a p h i c s Exchange S t a n d a r d (IGES) ( R e f . 8 ) o f f e r s
only a p a r t i a l s o l u t i o n t o the problem of t r a n s f e r r i n g data
between d i f f e r e n t s y s t e m s . Thus computer d r a f t i n g systems do
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PAPER 7. WATSON
n o t , as y e t , p r o v i d e a g e n e r a l means o f i m p r o v i n g i n t e r - o f f i c e
communications.
Integration
25. F r e e - s t a n d i n g systems f o r t h e d e s i g n o r d e t a i l i n g o f
s t r u c t u r a l e l e m e n t s have a d v a n t a g e s b u t t h e i r weakness l i e s
i n t h e volume o f d a t a needed t o f u l l y d e f i n e t h e p r o b l e m .
Most systems a v o i d t h e p r o b l e m by o n l y d e a l i n g w i t h a n a r r o w
range o f element t y p e s a n d / o r by r e s t r i c t i n g t h e scope o f what
i s performed. For e x a m p l e , by n o t p r o d u c i n g t o - s c a l e
reinforcement drawings.
26. The i n t e g r a t i o n o f systems t o m i n i m i s e t h e need f o r
man/machine c o m m u n i c a t i o n i s t h e s o l u t i o n . A n o t a b l e e a r l y
a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h i s p h i l o s o p h y was t h e Genesys ( R e f . 9) s u b
f
system RC-BUILDINGS. Conceived i n t h e e a r l y 7 0 s b e f o r e
i n t e r a c t i v e c o m p u t i n g was common, t h i s package t o o k a " b l a c k -
11
box a p p r o a c h . An advanced p r o b l e m o r i e n t a t e d command l a n g u a g e
was used t o d e f i n e t h e g e o m e t r y , member s i z e s and l o a d i n g on
t h e frame and t h e package w o u l d t h e n p r o c e e d t o a n a l y s i s ,
d e s i g n and d e t a i l t h e s t r u c t u r e . D e t a i l s where based on
s t a n d a r d a r r a n g e m e n t s , o n l y b a r b e n d i n g and f i x i n g s c h e d u l e s
being output. L a t e r v e r s i o n s a l s o p l o t t e d g e n e r a l arrangement
drawings. The s y s t e m worked b u t a s i g n i f i c a n t amount o f manual
work was needed t o d e a l w i t h t h e a r e a s w i t h w h i c h RC-BUILDINGS
was u n a b l e t o c o p e .
27. I n t e r a c t i v e c o m p u t i n g f a c i l i t i e s have e n a b l e d more
f l e x i b l e systems t o be c r e a t e d i n w h i c h i n t e g r a t i o n i s used t o
a v o i d t h e need f o r u s e r s t o r e - i n p u t d a t a . One t e c h n i q u e i s
t o l o o s e c o u p l e two o r more s o f t w a r e modules so t h a t d a t a f r o m
one i s passed o n t o a n o t h e r . I n t h i s way an a n a l y s i s module may
pass i t s i n p u t d a t a and r e s u l t s on t o a d e s i g n module and t h i s
i n t u r n can pass i t s d a t a on t o a d e t a i l i n g m o d u l e . The u s e r
r e t a i n s i n t e r a c t i v e c o n t r o l o v e r each module and t h e f l e x i b i l i t y
t o s t i l l use them i n d i v i d u a l l y . This i s a pragmatic approach
t o i n t e g r a t i o n b u t t h e a d - h o c b a s i s r e s t r i c t s t h e scope f o r
long term development.
28. An a l t e r n a t i v e a p p r o a c h i s t o i n t e g r a t e t h e modules much
more c l o s e l y . I n v a r i a b l y such systems a r e based on an e x i s t i n g
d r a f t i n g s y s t e m and t a k e t h e f o r m o f o p t i o n a l p l u g - i n modules
t h a t p r o v i d e d e s i g n o r d e t a i l o r i e n t e d f u n c t i o n s . The a d v a n t a g e
o f such modules i s t h a t t h e y make use o f t h e i n t e r a c t i v e
g r a p h i c s c a p a b i l i t y and t h e d a t a b a s e o f t h e h o s t d r a f t i n g
system and t h u s appear t o t h e u s e r as a c o h e r e n t w h o l e .
29. Many v e n d o r s have p r o v i d e d r e i n f o r c e m e n t d e t a i l i n g
modules. W h i l e t h e s e may n o t a l t e r t h e s u i t a b i l i t y o f t h e
u n d e r l y i n g d r a f t i n g system f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n a p p l i c a t i o n s , a
good module w i l l s u b s t a n t i a l l y i n c r e a s e p r o d u c t i v i t y when
detailing. Features provided i n c l u d e the automatic g e n e r a t i o n
o f b a r s c h e d u l e s and c h e c k i n g a g a i n s t i n b u i l t d e t a i l i n g r u l e s .
D e t a i l i n g can be p e r f o r m e d w i t h 2D systems b u t 3D systems
c l e a r l y have a d v a n t a g e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y when r e i n f o r c e m e n t i s
congested. Since e x i s t i n g c o n c r e t e o u t l i n e s a r e r e u s e d i n t h e
d e t a i l d r a w i n g s , a d e t a i l i n g module can h e l p j u s t i f y t h e
73
C A D SYSTEMS
use o f computer d r a f t i n g .
30. I m p r e s s i v e systems have a l s o been d e v e l o p e d f o r t h e
d e s i g n and d e t a i l i n g o f s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k b u t t h e s e a r e
g e n e r a l l y based on t h e more e x p e n s i v e 3D and GSM d r a f t i n g
systems. S e v e r a l o r i g i n a t e d i n t h e p r o c e s s p l a n t s e c t o r where
h i g h c o m p u t i n g c o s t s can be more e a s i l y j u s t i f i e d . However t h e
most s i g n i f i c a n t f a c t o r i s t h a t s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k i s
f a b r i c a t e d i n f a c t o r y c o n d i t i o n s and p r o d u c t i o n i s b e i n g
p r o g r e s s i v e l y automated. Thus f a b r i c a t o r s a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n
c o m p u t e r i s e d d e s i g n b o t h as an a i d t o t e n d e r i n g and as a
source of accurate data f o r the p r o d u c t i o n process. With the
e x c e p t i o n o f p r e - c a s t w o r k , e q u i v a l e n t a d v a n t a g e s do n o t e x i s t
for reinforced concrete.
S p e c i a l i s t Systems
31. A number o f s o f t w a r e v e n d o r s have p r o d u c e d s p e c i a l i s t
i n t e g r a t e d systems d i r e c t e d a t v e r t i c a l - m a r k e t s , p a r t i c u l a r l y
the d e s i g n o f s t e e l p o r t a l frames (Ref. 10). Freed f r o m t h e
need t o p r o v i d e t h e degree o f f l e x i b i l i t y r e q u i r e d by g e n e r a l
s y s t e m s , such s p e c i a l i s t systems have had c o n s i d e r a b l e s u c c e s s .
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
32. E x i s t i n g s o f t w a r e packages w i l l c o n t i n u e t o d e v e l o p
b u t t h e r e i s c o n s i d e r a b l e scope f o r t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f new
i d e a s and t e c h n i q u e s . For example a t Leeds U n i v e r s i t y we a r e
d e v e l o p i n g the idea of " C a l c u l a t i o n P r o c e s s i n g " , the
m a n i p u l a t i o n o f d e s i g n c a l c u l a t i o n s i n a way a n a l o g o u s t o word
processing.
33. The most i n f l u e n t i a l o f t h e new t e c h n i q u e s a r e l i k e l y
t o be based on A r t i f i c i a l I n t e l l i g e n c e , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e
f o r m o f E x p e r t Systems. A p p l i e d r e s e a r c h has expanded
r a p i d l y and t h e r e s u l t s w i l l soon s t a r t t o be r e f l e c t e d i n
production tools. E a r l y systems w i l l i n c l u d e d i a g n o s t i c ,
s p e c i a l i s t a d v i c e and t r a i n i n g modules b u t t h e l o n g t e r m
i m p a c t on d e s i g n / d e t a i l i n g w i l l be c o n s i d e r a b l e ( R e f . 11).
P o t e n t i a l e x i s t s not only f o r improving the engineering
a s p e c t s o f s o f t w a r e b u t a l s o t h e f l e x i b i l i t y and e f f i c i e n c y
w i t h w h i c h i t can be u s e d .
34. B e f o r e c o m p u t e r s become a n o r m a l p r o d u c t i o n t o o l a more
c a p a b l e and f l e x i b l e means o f i n t e g r a t i n g i n d i v i d u a l d e s i g n
t o o l s i s needed. I t i s l i k e l y we w i l l see t h e emergence o f
general e n g i n e e r i n g p r o j e c t databases t h a t are independent of
s p e c i f i c a p p l i c a t i o n s and a b l e t o i n t e r f a c e t o a w i d e range
of design t o o l s . The f o r t h c o m i n g Eureka r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t on
t h e i n t e g r a t e d d e s i g n and m a n u f a c t u r e s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k
( R e f . 12) w i l l p r o b a b l y i n c o r p o r a t e t h i s c o n c e p t .
CONCLUSION
35. Commercial p r e s s u r e s on c i v i l e n g i n e e r s t o embrace t h e
computer as a p r o d u c t i o n t o o l f o r d e s i g n and d e t a i l i n g w i l l
steadily increase. Good s o f t w a r e a l r e a d y e x i s t s b u t does n o t
y e t o f f e r t h e degree o f f l e x i b i l i t y and e f f i c i e n c y t h a t l e s s
c o m m i t t e d u s e r s w i l l demand. The i n t r o d u c t i o n o f A r t i f i c i a l
74
PAPER 7. WATSON
I n t e l l i g e n c e and e n g i n e e r i n g d a t a b a s e t e c h n i q u e s w i l l l e a d t o
f l e x i b i l e i n t e g r a t e d systems t h a t w i l l g i v e t h e e n g i n e e r
g r e a t e r c o n f i d e n c e i n t h e s o f t w a r e and w i l l a d d r e s s communi
c a t i o n problems w i t h i n the i n d u s t r y .
REFERENCES
1. HOLGATE A. The a r t i n s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n . Clarendon
P r e s s , O x f o r d , 1986.
2. MAHER M.L. and FENVES S . J . RT-RISE: An e x p e r t s y s t e m f o r
the p r e l i m i n a r y s t r u c t u r a l design of h i g h r i s e b u i l d i n g s .
Knowledge e n g i n e e r i n g i n c o m p u t e r - a i d e d d e s i g n , Ed. Gero J . ,
I F I P , September, 1984.
3. HOGLEY J . R . and KORNCOFF A . R . A r t i f i c i a l intelligence
i n e n g i n e e r i n g : A r e v o l u t i o n a r y change. A p p l i c a t i o n s of
a r t i f i c i a l i n t e l l i g e n c e i n engineering problems. Ed. S r i r a m
D. and Adey R . , C o m p u t a t i o n a l Mechanics P u b l i c a t i o n s , 1986,
1155-1160.
4. HOULTON J . M . MOSS i n t e g r a t e d m o d e l l i n g , d e s i g n and
?
drafting for c i v i l engineering. CADCAM 8 6 C o n f e r e n c e , EMAP,
L o n d o n , 1986.
5. TAIG I . C . E x p e r t a i d s t o f i n i t e element s y s t e m
applications. Applications of a r t i f i c i a l i n t e l l i g e n c e i n
e n g i n e e r i n g p r o b l e m s , Ed. S r i r a m D. and Adey, R . , C o m p u t a t i o n a l
Mechanics P u b l i c a t i o n s , 1986, 7 5 9 - 7 7 0 .
6. CAD s y s t e m s a l e s s u r v e y . C o n s t r u c t i o n I n d u s t r y Computing
A s s o c i a t i o n , Cambridge, 1986.
7. WATSON A . S . The i m p a c t o f computer d r a f t i n g on t h e c i v i l
f
engineer. CADCAM 8 6 C o n f e r e n c e , EMAP, L o n d o n , 1986.
8. BLOOR M.S. e t a l . Computer a i d e d d e s i g n i n t e r c h a n g e o f
d a t a : G u i d e l i n e s f o r t h e use o f IGES. N a t i o n a l Economic
Development O f f i c e , 1984.
9. ALCOCK D.G. and SHEARING B.H. GENESYS - an a t t e m p t t o
r a t i o n a l i s e t h e use o f c o m p u t e r s i n s t r u c t u r a l e n g i n e e r i n g .
The S t r u c t u r a l E n g i n e e r , 1970, V o l . 4 8 , A p r i l 1 4 3 - 1 5 2 .
10. YEADON R.E. The i n t e r a c t i v e d e s i g n o f p r o t a l frame
buildings. The S t r u c t u r a l E n g i n e e r , 1979, V o l . 57A,
September, 1 8 8 - 2 9 2 .
11. ROSENHAM M.A. e t a l . E x p e r t systems a p p l i c a t i o n s i n
computer-aided design. C o m p u t e r - A i d e d D e s i g n , 1986, V o l . 18,
December, 5 4 6 - 5 5 1 .
12. YEADON R.E. European i n i t i a t i v e f o r p r o d u c i n g c o m p l e t e
i n t e g r a t e d m a n u f a c t u r i n g systems f o r s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k
Computer systems f o r d e t a i l i n g r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e and
s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k , ICE, 1987.
75
Riper 8. The 3D approach to steelwork design and
detailing
R.J. ASHWORTH, BSc, MICE, Intergraph (Great Britain) Limited
This paper will principally illustrate the approach

to Steelwork Design and Detailing task adopted by
the Intergraph Corporation. It will briefly address
the history and reasoning behind the approach as
opposed to the traditional 2D treatment.
The major portion of the presentation will be to

review the modelling and analysis/design software
which enables the easy creation of complete 3D
model of a structure. Consideration will also be
given to the implementation of International Codes
of Practice, in particular BS5950 for the design
process.
THE INTEGRATED STRUCTURAL SOLUTION.
1. A number of years ago Intergraph developed

a system of industrial plant engineering software
packages. This enables the plant design team to
have a set of tools available for the design and
detailing of a whole site, from the initial
schematic layout through 3D modelling of equipment,
piping and structure, to the creation of the final
working drawings and schedules. Originally the
structural element that was integrated within this
suite of software was targeted towards the type of
structure used for the support of vessels or
pipework, and other associated structures.
2. The original suite of programs are now in

their second generation and the users of the
software have also modified their requirements. If
the case of the structural area is studied it is
found that there has been a shift from the pure
plant design type of structure to one of greater
variety. Often on a site there will be office
accommodation for the permanent administration
which may well be designed by an architect. If the
C A D SYSTEMS
structure is in the oil production area there may

be accommodation modules to design in conjunction
with the jacket structure. Jackets in themselves
were a requirement requested by many users.
Architects and engineers are making use of the 3D
structural package for visualisations of projects
for client presentations and tender documentation.
The ability to quickly model, visualise, quantify
and cost a new project is very desirable.
3. It is in this area of greater diversity of

use of the software that Intergraph has provided a
set of tools that are not targeted only at the
structural engineer, but at anyone who has a need
to create a structure, be they architect or piping
engineer. However in making the packages easy to
use by any discipline it is not intended to replace
the role of the structural engineer. It is unlikely
that his position contractually will be affected.
4. An example of how this system can work is

given by one of our users. The structural
department of the company supplies a very basic set
of available steel sections ie. a heavy and a light
beam, a heavy and light column. The piping engineer
can then work from his preliminary site layout in
order to "grid out" the position and size of the
building. He can then create a structural layout
for his equipment and pipework, safe in the
knowledge that any member that he places will be
adequate structurally for the job. This then very
quickly establishes the project and when the layout
is confirmed the structural department is then able
to take the structure and add the bracing and
loading.
5. In the example above the workflow is

speeded up because the piping engineer is not
detained waiting for the final structural design.
However as the structure is designed, changes will
be made to section sizes and bracing will be added
to suit lateral forces. Here the other disciplines
need to be kept up to date on the progress of the
structural engineer. Intergraph provide the
capability of Reference Files. This is the ability
for an engineer in one discipline to attach, in
read only form, the design file of another
discipline. In this way he is able to review the
changes as they are made and act accordingly. It is
important that the file attachment is for reference
only. It is inappropriate for the piping engineer
to have access to the structural database or
calculations programs.
78
P A P E R 8. ASHWORTH
6. Due to the developments in computer

communications the use of reference files is not
restricted to one site. A company in Reading
performs its piping and structural design with
reference to site works and drainage files in
Glasgow. For one particular project a trans-
Atlantic link was made.
7. When the time comes for the creation of

contract drawings, reference files can also be
used. The site layout file can be referenced to the
drainage and earthworks models for the creation of
the foundation drawing. Only those files relevant
to the task need to be displayed to convey the
information to the site engineer concerned. The
same files may be used in a different combination
for the road layout drawing. There are extensive
techniques available for the use of reference
files, including the ability to attach a file to
itself as a reference file. This gives the ability
to automatically update a drawing when a
modification is made. For example, if the top of
steel level is changed in the plan view the
elevation is instantly changed. This is a technique
that is only available in 3D.
THE STRUCTURAL ENVIRONMENT
8. This paper is only concerned with the 3D

products that Intergraph provide. However there are
a number of 2D products which are concerned mainly
with steel and concrete framed structures. It is
important to note that these packages, although
they provide 2D graphics files, have a full 3D
alphanumeric database behind them. For example when
a column is placed on a floor level in the 2D file
the operator has to tell the system where the
column starts and ends. He does this by defining a
parametric column the basic attributes of which
are; section size, material grade, base elevation
and splice elevation. This then enables the
operator to obtaiA a material report for the
project. There is also another use for the
elevation or "Z" information.
9. All Intergraph structural products have a

read/write interface to the "Common Structural
Database"(CSD). This is a neutral, published file
format which acts as the medium between products* A
particular use for this would be to convert a 2D
model into a 3D model. A simple example of; this
would be for an offshore jacket structure.|i.
CAD SYSTEMS
topside modules are basically orthogonal in layout,
and the floor levels can be quickly laid out. The
jacket structure will be modelled in the 3D package
as the geometry of the legs and braces are more
complex. Also there is the capability for the
detailing of the tubular intersections, and the
"flat pattern developments" of the tubular members.
At some stage the overall centre of gravity of the
structure needs to be established. The 2D model of
the module can be converted into a 3D model via the
"CSD" and placed on top of the jacket. The centre
of gravity of the whole structure can now be
calculated.
10. Similarly if a 3D model of, say, an office

structure is produced the "CSD" can be used to read
the model into a 2D drawing file floor by floor for
the issue of the drawings. The "CSD" can also be
used as an interface to other software. If an
analysis deck is produced from Third Party
software, it can be re-arranged into the "CSD"
format and then read into any of the structural
products. This again eliminates multiple entry of
data.
3D STRUCTURAL MODELLING
11. A primary objective of the writing of the

3D package was its ease of use. It was realised
that there may be resistance from new and existing
users to a 3D approach. Also there was the feedback
from users of the original software. Based on this
the package now provides the tools for the
experienced 3D users to make much faster progress,
but gives the new 3D user tools that will be
familiar to him from a 2D world. Typically these
include the ability to work on a floor by floor
basis and then work on the elevations. Extensive
use can be made of the grid layout system which may
have been generated in, say, an architectural
design file.
12. Another important tool that is made

available is that of member associativity. This
gives the modeller the ability to move an
individual member, or group of members, and all
associated members also move. Typically a whole
floor can be moved vertically to suit a new service
void requirement, or the end bay of a structure can
be moved laterally to accomodate a new width of
side door. This is an interactive function and the
database behind the graphics keeps track of all the
member length calculations. A more advanced use of
80
P A P E R 8. ASHWORTH
this technique was the modelling of a satellite
communications dish. Here the geometry of the dish
was set out in plan as a typical of a dish series.
Then the dish can be associatively moved onto the
correct parabolic curve in plan. If subsequently it
is required to change the radius of the dish this
also can be done associatively.
13. A further important tool for the effective

modelling of offshore structures is the inclusion
of "rule based" joints. The rules are based on
those described by the American Petroleum Institute
in order to offset member centre lines at a joint
to enable weld clearances to be obtained. The
package is able to calculate the positions of the
external faces of the members and then can offset
them to give the desired weld clearances. This
command is able to work in 3D so that out of plane
members can be catered for.
14. When the member cutback calculations are

performed the system is able to give a material
report based on the cut length of a member or the
material length. This enables different reports to
be generated for materials ordering and for
fabrication. Also centre of gravity and centre of
buoyancy reports can be made.
15. A further feature of the software is the

ability to create a "CSD" on part of a model. This
enables the creation of a library of structural
"modules" to be made. These can then be read into a
new model as required. For example the cross-arms
of a transmission tower can be kept in a library.
When a new tower type is required it can be built
up from a kit of parametric parts.
16. At any time during the creation of the

model there is the facility to perform "clash
detection" between structural elements themselves,
or with other elements such as pipes, ladders,
access ways. This is done as a batch process on the
whole project or more realistically on a part of
the building that is known to be congested. The
clash report can be in the form of a report or as a
design file with the clash markers displayed. This
then can be attached to the original design file as
a reference file.
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
17. When the "physical" model is complete it

can then be passed to the analysis and design
81
C A D SYSTEMS
software. Again in order to eliminate multiple

entry of data all of the geometry and section
properties of the model can be passed through the
"CSD" to the Finite Element Modeller. Essentially
all that needs to be done to the model is to load
,f M
and constrain it. The CSD reader in the analysis
software will insert nodes at each intersection of
members. It will split continuous columns into
separate lifts in order to satisfy FE requirements,
but it will also note in the database that when the
column is to be designed it is to be treated as a
single physical element.
18. All loads, nodal, UDL, edge or moment can

be displayed graphically in the design file that
the database creates. In this way a set of
illustrated design calculations can be easily
produced for the verification procedure. In the
same way, fully fixed, pinned, gap, hook, spring
and damper constraints can be displayed. This makes
for quick visual checking of the structure prior to
the analysis.
19. The analysis engine provided allows for
static or dynamic solution of the structure.
Structural non-linearity can be simulated using
gap, hook, spring and damper elements. All of the
analysis results are posted back to the original FE
database for display of the results. Again graphics
play a large part in that shear force, bending ,
moment and deflection diagrams can be produced, as
well as stress contours and animations of
deflection cases or mode shapes. The nodal
deflections can be posted back to the original
model in order to re-analyse making a P-delta
approximation•
20. The design processor is also able to use

the same database created for the analysis. All
that has to be done is set pointers to the required
design code tables or equations. Additionally there
are facilities to group members together into "mark
groups". A mark group is a set of elements that are
to have a common design such as a group of floor
beams that have similar lengths and loading. The
mark group design process will select the same
sections for all members in a mark group ensuring
adequacy of the section for all members.
21. It is the policy of Intergraph to provide

design tools that are of use throughout the world
and it contains options for design to: BS5950,
DIN, AISC78 for steework. The same product will
82
PAPER 8. ASHWORTH
also design to the same national codes for

reinforced concrete. This has been achieved by
extensive work on making the database very flexible
in its structure. This allows fast introduction of
new codes of practice. Also the same structural
model can be designed under each code. Again the
verification against alternative codes is of
interest.
22. During the set-up for the design process

there are a large number of checks that can catered
for and various look-up tables that can be
established. Typically these are alternate section
tables, deflection limit tables, code tolerances,
composite section design criteria, alternate shear
bolt tables. Also section design criteria can be
set. For example, beams can be limited to a maximum
or minimum depth or weight. An interesting
illustration of the type is the treatment of the
bracing parameters for design elements.
23. The bracing parameters can be specified for

each element or groups of elements in a model.
These parameters include the unbraced lengths for
bending about the major and minor axes. The bracing
for strong axis bending has been further separated
into bracing for the top and bottom flanges of a
section. This allows for the accurate description
of the bracing for both the positive and negative
moment regions for continuous beams and rigidly
connected frames. The warping constraint at member
ends can also be entered for models with open
sections subject to torsional loads. Also included
is a flag to indicate whether the members are
braced against sidesway about the major and minor
axes.
24. When a design has been processed the

results of the design and the modified sections
sizes can be posted back to the analysis engine for
re-analysis. The analysis/design cycle can then be
repeated until the design reaches convergence. Full
reporting facilities are available on the
calculations in the format of the code required.
25. When the design is complete the results and

new sections sizes can be posted back to the
physical model via the "CSD". This then completes
the cycle. Drawings and schedules can be extracted
as required.
83
CAD SYSTEMS
CONCLUSION
26. With its nucleus products of powerful

graphics and database, Intergraph are able to
present the engineer with very powerful tools for
the analysis, design and detailing of highly
complex steelwork structures. In addition the
capability to make complete material lists and
calculations has proved to be most productive. The
principal strengths are the ability to integrate
many disciplines and to shorten project
communication routes. The ability to detect clashes
before a project reaches site is also proving to be
very desirable to client and engineer alike.
84
Paper 9. European initiative for producing complete
integrated manufacturing systems for structural steelwork
R.E. YEADON, BTech, PhD, MistmctE, FBIM, Computer Services

Consultants (UK) Ltd
SYNOPSIS. The Paper w i l l d e s c r i b e a European i n i t i a t i v e f o r

p r o d u c i n g c o m p l e t e i n t e g r a t e d m a n u f a c t u r i n g systems f o r
structural steelwork. Many o f t h e e l e m e n t a l components f o r
i n t e g r a t e d m a n u f a c t u r i n g systems have been a d d r e s s e d s u c h as
d e s i g n , a n a l y s i s , e s t i m a t i n g and s t r u c t u r a l d e t a i l i n g . It
i s a p p a r e n t t h a t t h e most s u c c e s s f u l a r e a s f o r c o m p u t e r i s
a t i o n have been i n t h e s t r u c t u r a l a n a l y s i s and d e s i g n a r e a s .
Over t h e l a s t 15 y e a r s a number o f a t t e m p t s have been made
t o p r o d u c e a u t o m a t i c d e t a i l i n g systems f o r s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l
work. The Paper w i l l d i s c u s s t h e p h i l o s o p h i c a l and t e c h n i c a l
s t r a t e g i e s a d o p t e d and r e v i e w t h e f u t u r e d e v e l o p m e n t r e q u i r e
ments i n t h e c o n t e x t o f t h e new P r o j e c t .
INTRODUCTION
1. Over t h e l a s t 15 y e a r s many a t t e m p t s have been made t o
produce s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k d e s i g n , a n a l y s i s , d r a f t i n g ,
d e t a i l i n g and e s t i m a t i n g s y s t e m s . The e a r l y a t t e m p t s were
based a r o u n d l a r g e , main f r a m e , e x p e n s i v e , c o m p u t e r systems
u s i n g b a t c h mode o r i e n t e d t e c h n i q u e s .
2. P o s s i b l y t h e e a r l i e s t s i g n i f i c a n t package was p r o d
uced i n Canada by Task M a s t e r Systems f o r t h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e
a n a l y s i s and d e s i g n o f s t e e l f r a m e b u i l d i n g s . The s y s t e m
required the d e s c r i p t i o n o f the b u i l d i n g i n a c o - o r d i n a t e
and c o n n e c t i v e f o r m - l o a d i n f o r m a t i o n , s u p p o r t c o n d i t i o n s
etc. The s y s t e m w o u l d t h e n p r o d u c e d e s i g n s and d e s i g n o u t
put f o r the complete b u i l d i n g i n c l u d i n g c o n n e c t i o n f o r c e s e t c .
For v a r i o u s r e a s o n s t h i s a p p r o a c h has n o t been t o t a l l y s u c c e s
sful. The i n p u t t e c h n i q u e s a d o p t e d were b a t c h mode o r i e n t e d .
I n consequence - i n p u t c o u l d be t e d i o u s , e r r o r s were
d i f f i c u l t t o t r a c e and c o r r e c t , and t h e s y s t e m s were g e n e r a l l y
u n w i e l d y and r e l a t i v e l y e x p e n s i v e .
3. The a d v e n t o f t h e CPM 8 B i t M i c r o Computers h e r a l d e d

t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f mass c o m p u t i n g . However t h e e a r l y
i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e s e systems d i d n o t r e a l i s e t h e t r u e
p o t e n t i a l - l a c k o f s t a n d a r d i s a t i o n o f O p e r a t i n g Systems ; :•
and Languages and t h e r e l a t i v e l y l o w power o f t h e s y s t e m ^ ;
i n h i b i t e d t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f s o f t w a r e f o r comprehensive?'- ! ^X'^
CAD SYSTEMS
engineering applications. Numerous design modules for

elements were produced and proved very effective on this
type of machine. However integrated analysis design and
detail systems were not practical or feasible.
4. More recently the entry of the IBM PC and its compat

ibles together with Unix 32 workstations into the market
place have realised a number of requirements for the effect
ive implementation of comprehensive engineering systems.
These are
(a) relatively low cost
(b) significant power
(c) standardisation of operating systems and languages
5. For a number of years The British Constructional

Steelwork Association has been active in encouraging the
development of computer aids for steelwork design and
detailing. During the late 1970s and early 1980s a high
level of activity has been evident in the study of the
market and the steering of developments in the structural
steelwork sector. In 1980 - Ove Arup was jointly commis
sioned by the BCSA, BSC and PSA to carry out a review of the
structural steel industry and the requirements for computer
aids. At that stage it was concluded that computer aids
were of a lower priority in terms of development in a number
of other areas.
6. Increasing the competitiveness of the fabrication

sector with the introduction of more efficient working
practices and shop floor tools/techniques was perceived as
an essential part of expanding the structural steel market.
More effective marketing of steel products and cost-
effective solutions for multi storey buildings were perceived
as essential pre-requisites of a successful structural steel
sector. The manufacturing industry has gone through a period
of decline and in certain sectors it is apparent that a
leaner, fitter industry is now appearing. Overseas compet
ition has however been a significant factor in this decline
and it has now become apparent that the structural steel
sector is being threatened by such competition. Structural
steel Projects are pre-fabricated off-site and then trans
ported to site for erection. Transport costs are relatively
low and therefore such pre-fabrication could be undertaken
as far away as Japan and transported to Europe for erection.
In early-1986 Nippon Steel carried out a technical appraisal
of computer aided design systems available in Europe. It
was declared at this time that the Japanese Industry was in
the process of investigating computer integrated manufactur
ing to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the
Japanese fabricated steel industry. As a result of a
successful Japanese CIM initiative - significant imports of
fabricated constructional steelwork into Europe would be
evident. Significant surplus capacity in the Japanese
86
PAPER 9. Y E A D O N
fabrication industry is already evident and only a relatively

small proportion of this would need to be diverted into
Europe to have a devastating effect upon the indigenous
industries.
7. Against this background a European initiative was con

ceived in mid-1986 to produce a computer integrated manufact
uring system for constructional steelwork on a pan European
scale.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
8. The objective of the Project i§ to undertake a research
study into a modular computer integrated manufacturing system
built around a product modeller for building structures that
consists of a number of sub-systems for computer aided design
as well as computer aided manufacturing for the steel fabric
ation industry. The system will consist of sub-systems for:
Design
9. Interactive design system for steel structures both for
multi-storey buildings, low rise buildings, bridges etc. The
loads can be given interactively or based on national codes
of practice or the new European Commission's "Eurocodes".
The results are presented alpha-numerically for presentation
to approval bodies and in scheme drawings. In addition the
generated information is retained in the product model.
Analysis
10. The information from the design phase is retrieved
from the product model and formatted in such a way that it
can be used immediately in the existing framework analysis
programs.
Cost Estimation
11. The primitives, the product model is built-up with,
also contain information about the fabrication processes
which are needed to realise the required geometry. After
the detailing is finished, all project information that is
needed for cost estimation is also available for the material
list and for calculating the necessary man hours. ;
12. Project independent files with times for fabrication

processes make a detailed cost estimation possible.
Detailing
13. Detailing comprises design and calculation of the
connections and modifying the design of the total structure
for possible architectural provisions.
Work Planning and Fabrication

14. For fabrication, working drawings, bills of materials,
order lists, programming of NC machines and welding robots -
TCa^ervaJL t ^ o v t c c ^ pY^Tflvrcig, l-s n e e d e d .
87
CAD SYSTEMS
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BRANCHEGROEP STAALBOUU
V»STAALBOUWKUNDIG GENOQTSCHAP
EUROPEAN COMMISSION (DG III)
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ETS HOUVEAU JOOFFRIAU
RENAULT-AUTOMATION
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RAMBOLL k HANNEMANN
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II INTERNATIONAL STEEL CONSULTING
• Still under discussion
F i g , 1 . EUREKA P r o j e c t 130 - Computer i n t e g r a t e d m a n u f a c t u r i n g

f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n a l s t e e l w o r k , i n c l u d i n g e x p e r t systems m a t r i x
of c o l l a b o r a t o r involvement
88
P A P E R 9. YEADON
15. A detailed study will be undertaken of the fabrication

methods currently employed by the industry together with an
examination of the potential for the application of robotics
(together with their possible influence upon structural forms).
"Expert Systems" will be evaluated with regard to their
possible application to optimising new and existing factory
layouts and configurations.
PARTICIPANTS
16. The Project will be led and co-ordinated by The British
Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA). Thirty-six
Organisations are involved as Participants from seven European
countries. All of the participants, together with Governments
- will contribute through the provision of funds, research
effort, equipment, practical experience and expertise. A
Project Organisation Chart is given in Fig. 1.
17. European participation will be directed via the

European Convention for Constructional Steelwork - of which
the BCSA is the United Kingdom Representative. The other
European Representatives consist of the BCSA's sister Organ
isations throughout Europe. The ECCS has a full-time
Secretariat based in Brussels.
18. The two major UK Collaborators will be The Welding

Institute and Computer Services Consultants Ltd. Two major
steel fabrication Companies will act as "test sites" for the
Project.
RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHER EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENTS

19. In addition to being based upon national standards,
the Project will be based upon the European Commission's
emerging EUROCODE 3 for the design and fabrication of steel
structures. The Commission intends /that EUROCODE 3 will
establish a set of common rules as an alternative to the
differing rules in force in the various Member States. This
falls within the Commission's programme for aligning the
regulations, laws and administrative provisions of the Member
States concerning the safety, serviceability and durability
of the different types of construction and materials.
20. The objectives of the EUR0C0DES are to:
(a) promote functioning of the Common Market by removing

obstacles arising from differing rules
(b) provide common technical rules for an efficient
application of the Council Directive 71/305 on
the co-ordination of procedures for the award of
public contracts, which can be applied as an
alternative to the national rules.
(c) reinforce the competitive position of the European
Construction Industry and associated industries and
89
CAD SYSTEMS
activities in Europe in relation to countries outside

the Community
(d) establish a harmonised basis for the intended common
rules for building products.
21. The EUROCODES will provide an optional set of design

rules which can be applied within the Community as an altern
ative to the corresponding national rules covering the same
technical matters.
22. The safety level of structures will be defined by each

Member State in accordance with its national requirements.
In order to permit the application of the common rules, each
Member State will determine appropriate numerical values for
the partial safety factors and the other safety elements.
The application of the EUROCODES and the continuation of the
harmonisation effort will permit the provision of the gradual
establishment of common values.
23. The control of design and execution and any approval

procedure of structures will remain subject to national
regulations. The same applies to technical supplements
with regard to aspects which are not yet comprehensively
covered by the EUROCODES or which cannot be covered in
terms of generally applicable rules.
24. The unification of the European markets for construct

ional steelwork will be significantly assisted by the advent
of Eurocodes and the harmonisation requirements embodied in
the EEC objectives. It is envisaged that the Project being
undertaken will assist in cementing the currently disparate
market and will provide a focus for a common European Market
development. The initial considerations for system eval
uation will be based upon developments to date undertaken by
a number of the Collaborators - Product Modellers from Bocad
of Germany and Renault Automation in France; Design and
Analysis Systems from CSC in the UK, TNO in Holland, Sidercad
in Italy and Cadex of Finland. The offerings will be
evaluated with regard to the Project objectives. In addition
a number of other Systems will be considered as the approp
riate vehicle for the CIM initiative and the first phase of
the Project will be defining these vehicles and system
architecture.
25. In conclusion the limitations which have constrained

systems development in the past such as availability of
hardware/software systems, resources and market potential -
now appear to be overcome and it is considered that this pan
European initiative to develop computer integrated manufact
uring systems for the structural steel industry will be a
milestone in the harmonisation of the European marketplace
and present the relevant response to the commercial and
economic pressures currently being imposed.
90
Paper 10. Structural steel detailing and scheduling: PC and
workstation solutions
G.P.P. RIDE, Radan Computational Ltd
SYNOPSIS. Radan Computational Ltd. have recently introduced a

Structural Steelwork Detailing and Scheduling applications
program which is able to run with two CAD drafting packages.
Alongside Autocad it satisfies the popular PC market and with
Radan's own Radraft it is available to the more powerful multi-
tasking 32 bit UNIX workstations such as SUN and Whitechapel.
The problems faced by the Steelwork Fabrication industry and
the contribution made by SSDS towards solving some of these are
described. In addition the appropriateness of the PC or work-
station solution to particular situations is considered.
THE PROBLEM
1. There is a heavy design, detailing and scheduling load on
Fabrication Companies in the UK because of the structure of the
Industry. In the reinforced concrete structure the Structural
Engineer is generally responsible for both RC detailing and Bar
Bending schedules but this is not the case for steelwork where
the fabricator is responsible for converting design parameters
into a finished structure.
2. This process (see fig.l) is both complex and time-
consuming, the quantity of scheduling which has to be done is
particularly onerous and prone to errors. To make matters worse
for those prepared to solve these problems, through the medium
of CAD, fabricators have, naturally, adopted their own varied
methods of coping with the difficulties over the years. This
additional layer of "traditional Company method" makes fig.l
only an example and not a definitive process. Different jobs
may also force a Company to by-pass or alter elements in their
own traditional approach.
3. Since virtually all contracts are won on price the Steel
Fabricator has to be constantly vigilant with respect to his
costs. Discounting the obviously foolhardy approach of cutting
design corners beyond the limits of morality ther remain three
main areas of savings which can be considered. These are, shop
fabrication, site erection and drawing office.
4. The recession in the Construction Industry over recent
years has undoubtedly left the industry with only the most eff-
icient survivors. It is probably true that in most cases the
fabrication shop is unlikely to be able to yield up very much
C A D SYSTEMS
Architect's, Engineer's o r Client's

r Design and Calculation Parameters
i
i
Approximate^ General
Estimate^
Schedule %' Arrangements
Tender
Job
Order
Mill o r d e r
Schedule
Final G.A.s
Fabrication and
Connection Details
Bought-ln Cutting Erection

Schedules Schedules Schedules
Shop
Fabrication
>J Delivery
"^Schedules
Site Fabrication and Erection
Fig. 1. S t r u c t u r a l s t e e l b u i l d i n g process
92
PAPER 10. R I D E
i n t h e way o f f u r t h e r e f f i c i e n c i e s and t h e v a g a r i e s o f t h e B r i t
i s h c l i m a t e make i t e x t r e m e l y d i f f i c u l t t o a p p l y a c o n s i s t e n t l y
e f f i c i e n t a p p r o a c h t o t h e t y p i c a l UK b u i l d i n g s i t e .
5. However, i t i s my c o n t e n t i o n t h a t s a v i n g s w i t h i n t h e draw
i n g o f f i c e o f s i g n i f i c a n t m a g n i t u d e a r e p o s s i b l e by t h e use o f
a s p e c i f i c s t e e l w o r k d r a f t i n g p a c k a g e . The F a b r i c a t o r ' s d r a w i n g
o f f i c e i s u n d o u b t e d l y t h e " E n g i n e Room" o f t h e Company s i n c e ,
n o t o n l y do G e n e r a l A r r a n g e m e n t s , F a b r i c a t i o n and C o n n e c t i o n
D e t a i l s emanate f r o m i t b u t B u y i n g and C u t t i n g Schedules a r e a l
so p r o d u c e d . T a k i n g on some o f t h e problems f a c e d by t h i s s e c t o r
o f t h e s t e e l i n d u s t r y and s o l v i n g them has become p o s s i b l e by
t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f c o n s i d e r a b l y more c o s t - e f f e c t i v e c o m p u t i n g
hardware o v e r r e c e n t y e a r s . T h i s has e n a b l e d s o f t w a r e a p p l i c
a t i o n houses l i k e Radan C o m p u t a t i o n a l t o a p p l y themselves t o
t h i s s p e c i f i c t a s k i n a m e a n i n g f u l way.
THE BENEFITS
6. An i n t e g r a t e d s t e e l w o r k d e t a i l i n g and s c h e d u l i n g package
based upon a f a s t d r a f t i n g package w i t h a 200 t o 400% i n c r e a s e
i n o u t p u t can pay f o r i t s e l f w i t h i n 9 t o 18 months now t h a t t h e
c o s t o f c o m p u t i n g power has d r o p p e d .
7. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h i s g r e a t e r t h r o u g h p u t , e a r l i e r and more
accurate schedules o f m a t e r i a l s are p o s s i b l e thus a s s i s t i n g i n
t h e r e s o l u t i o n o f t h e c u r r e n t t r e n d towards f a s t t r a c k schemes.
The f i n a l b e n e f i t o f a s p e c i f i c CAD package comes f r o m t h e a c c
u r a c y o f t h e d r a w i n g and t h e a s s o c i a t i v e d i m e n s i o n s c r e a t e d .
T h i s b e n e f i t i s t a k e n up u n c o n c i o u s l y by t h e f a b r i c a t i o n shop
and r e l a y e d t o t h e s i t e e r e c t i o n team whose r e a l i s a t i o n t h a t i m
provements have t a k e n p l a c e i s e x e m p l i f i e d by t h e ease o f e r e c t
i o n and t h e decreased use o f t h e b u r n i n g t o r c h .
THE SOLUTION
8. The a d v e n t o f PC and 32 b i t UNIX w o r k s t a t i o n h a r d w a r e a t
l o w e r c o s t s r e f e r r e d t o i n p a r a g r a p h 5. means t h a t an a f f o r d a b l e
and c o s t - e f f e c t i v e a p p l i c a t i o n s package i s an a c h i e v a b l e g o a l .
I n order to t a c k l e the requirements of a s o l u t i o n e f f e c t i v e l y a
p r o p e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f b o t h , computer a i d e d d r a f t i n g and i t s
i n t e r a c t i o n w i t h databases and t h e F a b r i c a t o r ' s needs i s v i t a l .
9. The r e m a i n d e r o f t h i s paper d e s c r i b e s i n some d e t a i l t h e
a p p l i c a t i o n program SSDS w h i c h r u n s a l o n g s i d e AutoCad f o r PC
based systems o r i n t e g r a l l y w i t h R a d r a f t on w o r k s t a t i o n s . D i f f
erences between t h e two v e r s i o n s a r e b o r n o u t o f t h e d i f f e r e n t
hardware p o t e n t i a l s and t h e f u n c t i o n a l i t i e s o f t h e h o s t CAD
p a c k a g e s . These a r e d e a l t w i t h a t t h e end o f t h e paper i n o r d e r
t o a l l o w a d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e g e n e r a l i t i e s w i t h o u t c o n s t a n t com
ment on t h e v a r i a t i o n s . .
10. The b a s i c i n g r e d i e n t s o f a CAD s o l u t i o n t o s t e e l w o r k a r e :
a) An e f f i c i e n t and f a s t 2D d r a f t i n g system w i t h
a h i g h degree o f f u n c t i o n a l i t y .
b) A database o f t h e a v a i l a b l e S t e e l S e c t i o n s t o
BS 4 : P a r t 1 .
93
CAD SYSTEMS
MATERIAL III SPLICE

2 M
Alt x 754 x 21
PLATES
m x » x M
fACXIKS PLATES
S14 X M7 X M
CAPPINt PLATE
n x n x • cleat
NTN SIDES x 191 Lf
I N x M x II '
CLEAT x 141 Lf
NTN SIDES
1SI X f t x II /
CLEAT x 141 Lf
NTH SIDES
FFL 100.000
8
'-4-4—1+- MATERIAL IN RASE
4 m H 0IA NDLES FOR
4 Nt 14 OIA NOLO INS DOW I
711 x 711 x SI SLAI
OMCLTEU Tl C O U m
« s SHAFT IT 9m FILLET VELD
SLAfl « SHAFT Tl RE HACHIM
FOR KARINI
Fig. 2. T y p i c a l Column D e t a i l
PAPER 10. R I D E
c ) An i n t e g r a t e d means o f s c h e d u l i n g s e c t i o n s
w h i c h have been i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o t h e d r a w i n g
d) An easy t o use i n t e r f a c e w i t h t h e s t e e l w o r k
d e t a i l i n g o p e r a t i n g t h e CAD s y s t e m .
1 1 . B o t h A u t o c a d and R a d r a f t s a t i s f y t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f a)
w i t h i n t h e c o n f i n e s o f t h e h a r d w a r e upon w h i c h t h e y o p e r a t e .
Radan's SSDS s o f t w a r e p r o v i d e s t h e s o l u t i o n s t o t h e r e m a i n i n g
i n g r e d i e n t s a l t h o u g h t h e r e a r e m a j o r d i f f e r e n c e s between t h e
p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h e u s e r i n t e r f a c e due t o v a r i a t i o n s i n o v e r a l l
c o n c e p t between t h e h o s t s y s t e m s .
DATABASE
12. T y p i c a l s t e e l w o r k G . A ' s and d e t a i l s c o n t a i n g r a p h i c a l
r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s o f v a r i o u s s t e e l s , c o n n e c t i o n s , b o l t s and w e l d s
(see f i g . 2 ) . Standard s t e e l s e c t i o n s are a v a i l a b l e from s t e e l
m i l l s i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h BS 4 : P a r t 1 f o r U n i v e r s a l Beams,
Columns, C h a n n e l s , A n g l e s , H o l l o w S e c t i o n s e t c . These a r e
s p e c i f i e d as a n o m i n a l s i z e p l u s a mass p e r m e t r e . The a c t u a l
o v e r a l l s i z e and web, f l a n g e and w a l l t h i c k n e s s e s d i f f e r , o f
c o u r s e , depending on t h e mass. The d i f f e r e n c e between n o m i n a l
and a c t u a l s i z e s i s c r i t i c a l t o t h e l e n g t h s o f c o n n e c t i n g
members, t y p e o f c o n n e c t i o n s used and t h e c o - o r d i n a t i o n o f t h e
b u i l d i n g components w h i c h w i l l hang on t h e s t e e l s k e l e t o n .
13. SSDS c o n t a i n s a database o f t h e s e s t a n d a r d s e c t i o n s and
t h e s p e c i f i c a t i o n o f a p a r t i c u l a r s e c t i o n w i t h i n SSDS e n a b l e s a
d i s p l a y o f any o f f i v e v i e w s o f t h e s t e e l w o r k , t o p , b o t t o m ,
s i d e s and c r o s s - s e c t i o n , t o be i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o t h e CAD
drawing. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h i s r e p r e s e n t s some
2500 t o 3000 s e p a r a t e p o s s i b i l i t i e s i s t h e need t o p o r t r a y
these s e c t i o n s on d r a w i n g s w i t h any d e s i r e d l e n g t h f r o m t h e
a c t u a l t o t a l l e n g t h t o any c o n v e n i e n t p o r t i o n f o r t h e d e t a i l i n
question. The ends o f s e c t i o n s may a l s o need t o be shown c l o s
e d , n o t c h e d , open o r as b r e a k l i n e s . Taking a l l these f a c t o r s
i n t o consideration i t i s clear t h a t a parametric approach,
r a t h e r t h a n a s y m b o l i c one i s v i t a l . T h i s i s , i n f a c t , how
SSDS s o l v e s t h e p r o b l e m .
14. As t h e u s e r s p e c i f i e s t h e s t e e l w o r k r e q u i r e d w i t h i n SSDS
t h e a c t u a l l e n g t h needed f o r t h e s e c t i o n i s s c h e d u l e d i n t o t h e
B i l l o f M a t e r i a l s s i n g l y o r i n m u l t i p l e s dependent upon t h e
user. The p r o d u c t i o n o f b o t h t h e g r a p h i c a l d i s p l a y and t h e
s c h e d u l i n g o f t h e s t e e l i n one a c t i o n i s c l e a r l y economic f r o m
the d e t a i l e r ' s p o i n t of v i e w .
USER INTERFACE
15. I f , f o r e x a m p l e , t h e u s e r has t o t y p e i n 305x127x37 UB
i n o r d e r t o i n v o k e t h e CAD system t h e n s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l d e t -
a i l e r s w i l l be i n v o l v e d i n u n n e c c e s s a r y t y p i n g . Therefore the
SSDS u s e r i n t e r f a c e has been d e s i g n e d t o e n a b l e t h e d e t a i l e r t o
s e l e c t through e i t h e r a form or a s e r i e s of questions s t e e l
t y p e s , s i z e s and masses m e r e l y by number ( s e e f i g . 3 f o r
example). This kind of presentation is f r i e n d l y , easy-to-use
and enhances p r o d u c t i v i t y .
95
CAD SYSTEMS
INTEGRATED DETAILED DRAFTING
16. H a v i n g e s t a b l i s h e d t h e p r i m a r y components o f an a v a i l
a b l e S t e e l S e c t i o n s Database and a good u s e r i n t e r f a c e t o
i n t e r a c t t h r o u g h , t h e n e x t s t a g e i s t o use t h i s t o g r e a t e r
b e n e f i t by u t i l i s i n g t h e c e n t r a l database as a k i n d o f model
of t h e s t e e l w h i c h i s b e i n g i n p u t . The SSDS i n t e g r a t e d d a t a
base a l l o w s t h e d e t a i l e r t o i n s t a n t l y c r e a t e t h e g r a p h i c s f o r
any o f t h e a v a i l a b l e v i e w s o r t h e a n n o t a t i o n o f p a r t i c u l a r
Current Field i Bottoi cope die SELECT ON
DETAILS OF NEW MEMBER : SIZE
Reference Nate (beat End I I (C/P) CC]

Aueably_iark lb-3 Top cope dii C2-1/2 x 3/4 ]
Steel Type CK ] Bottoi cope die C ]
Designation CI 1 End 12 (C/P) CP!
No. off CI ] Top cope dii C > ]
6rid Length CP Bottoi cope dii c
( 1) 2-1/2 x 3/4 ( 7) 4-1/2 x 1-1/4

( 2) 3-1/2 x i ( B) 4-3/4 x 1-1/2
( 3) 3-1/2 x 1-1/4 ( 9) 5-1/2 x 1-1/4
( 4) 4 x 1 (10) 5-1/2 x 1-3/4
( 5) 4-1/4 x 1-1/2 (11) 5-3/4 x 1-3/4
( 6) 4-1/4 x 1-1/2 (12) 6 x 1-1/2
• n i i t s i s c s s s i n i K a a m s m e s
Fig.3. "Add S t e e l " Menu - AutoCad v e r s i o n , AISC Database

s t e e l w o r k m e r e l y by i d e n t i f y i n g t h e s t e e l a l r e a d y r e p r e s e n t e d
on t h e d r a w i n g . T h i s a c t i o n does n o t a f f e c t t h e c o n t e n t o f
t h e B i l l o f M a t e r i a l s and t h e r e f o r e i s s t r i c t l y f o r d i s p l a y i n g
o t h e r v i e w s o f s t e e l w o r k and n o t f o r a d d i n g i t t o t h e s c h e d u l e .
17. C o n n e c t i o n d e t a i l s a r e e i t h e r b o l t e d o r w e l d e d by u s i n g
a n g l e s and p l a t e s i n v a r i o u s c o m b i n a t i o n s o f t y p e , s i z e and
orientation. SSDS e n a b l e s t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f such c o n n e c t i o n s
by commands such a s :
Column S p l i c e P l a t e
S t i f f e n e d P l a t e Connection
etc.
18. I n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h the above, t y p i c a l b o l t i n g g r i d s
( 3 x 2 , 2x2 e t c . ) may be i n p u t t o g e t h e r w i t h recommended p l a t e o r
angle s i z e s . The s e l e c t i o n p r o c e s s i s s i m p l e and produces
d r a f t e d c o n n e c t i o n d e t a i l s w i t h t h e minimum o f i n p u t (see
fig.4).
19. The i n t e r n a l d a t a b a s e r e c o g n i s e s each p h y s i c a l s t r u c t u r a l
e n t i t y i n a d d i t i o n t o i t s g r a p h i c r e p r e s e n t a t i o n . As w i t h main
s t e e l s e c t i o n s , c o n n e c t i o n d e t a i l s d e f i n e d i n one v i e w a r e a u t o
m a t i c a l l y shown when c o r r e s p o n d i n g v i e w s a r e r e q u e s t e d . This
a s s o c i a t i v i t y even e x t e n d s t o b o l t h o l e s t h r o u g h c l e a t s and
s t e e l webs.
96
P A P E R 10. R I D E
20. Some " i n t e l l i g e n t " d i m e n s i o n i n g r o u t i n e s have been p r o v

ided i n accordance w i t h i n d u s t r y s t a n d a r d s . Dimensioning i s a
complex and demanding p r o c e s s and s i n c e i t i n f o r m s t h e f a b r i c
a t i o n shop o f t h e c o r r e l a t o n o f components and h o l e s i t i s o f
v i t a l importance. P r e c i s i o n i s r e q u i r e d so t h a t t h e r e i s no
m i s - m a t c h between shop p r o d u c e d i t e m s when t h e y a r e h o i s t e d i n t o
place d u r i n g the e r e c t i o n p r o c e s s .
100
•50] 100x75 X8.00 6 10.60kg/m L

O O
200x150x12.00 fi 32.00kg/m L
Fig. 4. Typical seated connection
21. Take an example o f a framed c o n n e c t i o n . T h i s complex

process of dimensioning c o n s i s t s o f : -
a) B o l t hole spacing
b) B o l t h o l e c e n t r e f r o m back o f a n g l e
c) B o l t hole to b o l t hole of a d j o i n i n g angle
d) Back t o back a n g l e s p a c i n g
e) B o l t h o l e f r o m edges o f s t e e l .
22. Not o n l y can SSDS cope w i t h t h e p r e c i s i o n r e q u i r e d b u t
t h i s e x e r c i s e i s c o m p l e t e d by SSDS w i t h a s i n g l e command ( s e e
fig.5).
23. W e l d i n g n o t e s and g r a p h i c s can be g e n e r a t e d f r o m a l i b
rary of i n d u s t r y welding p r a c t i c e s . A f o r m - f i l l i n g approach
d e f i n e s t h e t y p e o f w e l d i n g use i n t h e case o f t h e AutoCad
version. A symbolic approach i s taken i n the R a d r a f t v e r s i o n
whereby t h e CAD system i s used t o i n d i c a t e t h e l o c a t i o n o f a
w e l d and t h e n t h e a p p r o p r i a t e w e l d t y p e i s c a l l e d back f r o m a
standard l i b r a r y .
24. A B i l l o f M a t e r i a l s can be p r i n t e d o u t a t any t i m e and
t h i s q u a n t i f i e s t h e n u m b e r s , l e n g t h s and w e i g h t s o f t h e v a r i o u s
s t e e l s e c t i o n s and b o l t s on t h e d r a w i n g . Manual p r o d u c t i o n o f
97
CAD SYSTEMS
e m
a a a a
" f
o c> c> c) o
a
o o o o o
Fig. 5. Hole dimensioning
Site r e f : H y p e r s t o r e 6A/1.b Bill of Materials r e f : 8745/1

BILL OF MATERIALS
QTY SERIAL SIZE LENGTH WEIGHT COST REM
(mm) (kg) (£)
12 457x152x52 kg/m UB 3090 1928.16

12 457x191x67 kg/m UB 8990 7227.96
6 254x146x31 kg/m UB 2770 515.22
8 254x254x89 kg/m UC 2770 1972.24
10 229x89 X 3 2 . 7 6 kg/m [ 6460 2116.30
24 125x75 x12.0 L 7455 3184.78
36 100x75 X10.0 L 150 70.20
6 100x75 X12.0 L 180 16.63
16 1 5 0 x 7 5 xlO.O L 225 61.20
4 1 5 0 x 1 0 0 x 1 0 . 0 RHS 5500 785.40
8 2 0 0 x 1 0 0 x 6 . 3 RHS 2350 532.04
4 1 5 0 x 1 5 0 x 6 . 3 SHS 2350 266.02
Fig. 6. Bill of materials output from SSDS
98
PAPER 10. RIDE
this schedule is one of the most tedious and error-prone proc
esses which the Steel Fabricator has to perform. The time saved
on this task alone when coupled with the reliability of the
schedule in relation to the drawing can more than justify an
investment in SSDS (see fig.6).
25. Because SSDS has an integrated data structure editing of
a steelwork component may be individual or associative. Details
of sections may be amended or deleted and in the case of the
latter all views and annotation disappear from the drawing and
schedules. Deletion of cleats or plates will also delete the
bolts associated with them.
LIBRARIES OF USER CREATED DETAILS
26. Over a period of time the user would be able to create
libraries containing standard situations to the Company which
would further increase the productivity of both schedules and
drawings. Amendments to components on these standard details
would be reflected in an updated schedule just as it would be in
the editing procedure previously described.
AUTOCAD/PC AND RADRAFT/WORKSTATION DIFFERENCES
27. The differences between the two available systems are
dependent on two principal factors, hardware and software con
cepts. Software is constrained or otherwise by the operating
system of the generation of computers upon which it is designed
to be installed. Similarly the speed, power, capacity and eff
iciency of the application program is dependent upon the comp
uter's specification as well as the programmer's skill. Consid
eration of hardware and operating system difference will be
given first.
HARDWARE
28. In general terms the operating system of a computer is
in-built software which allows the programmer to address the
computer and which provides utilities enabling such facilities
as filing, graphics, window management, peripheral interfacing
etc. to be dealt with efficiently by the programmer. PC comp
uters use a system called PC-DOS and the particular workstation
used by Radraft is UNIX based. In addition to having more gen
eral utilities UNIX is a multi-tasking and networking system
whereas PC-DOS is not.
29. Multi-tasking means that the processor and operating sys
tem of the workstation have the power to do more than one proc
ess at a time. In the context of steelwork detailing this means
that the operator can be using the CAD system to do a drawing
and at the same time, be plotting out a drawing, printing a
Materials Schedule and running a design program. The drafting
package in this case will be in foreground and the other proc
esses in background. With the use of the window manager system
however, the operator can switch from one process or another to
be in foreground. This ability of UNIX workstations obviously
increases efficiency and flexibility.
30. Networking of workstations together and to a larger hard
disc than is generally available to PC's is the other major
difference. Hard discs are typically upwards of 100 Mbytes and
99
CAD SYSTEMS
w o r k s t a t i o n systems u s u a l l y t a k e a modular a p p r o a c h a l l o w i n g u p
g r a d i n g o f d i s c space t o grow w i t h t h e u s e r . Unless the s o f t
ware t a k e s a d v a n t a g e o f n e t w o r k i n g a b i l i t i e s n o t h i n g i s g a i n e d ,
R a d r a f t has n e t w o r k i n g and t h i s e n a b l e s f u l l s h a r i n g o f d a t a
b a s e s , p e r i p h e r a l s e t c . w i t h o u t any l o s s o f c o m p u t i n g power
w h i c h r e s i d e s w i t h i n each i n d i v i d u a l n e t w o r k e d s t a t i o n .
31. I n terms o f h a r d w a r e power PC's a r e g e n e r a l l y s l o w e r ,
have l e s s c o m p u t i n g power and s m a l l e r h a r d d i s c c a p a c i t y .
W o r k s t a t i o n s i n c o r p o r a t e h i g h r e s o l u t i o n g r a p h i c s screens
whereas t h i s i s an e x t r a t o a PC s y s t e m . W o r k s t a t i o n s a r e now
c o m p e t i t i v e l y p r i c e d w i t h PC's p a r t i c u l a r l y when more t h a n one
system i s r e q u i r e d .
SOFTWARE
32. B o t h R a d r a f t and A u t o c a d have been d e s i g n e d t o r u n on
t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e h a r d w a r e and t o t h e r e b y f u l l y u t i l i s e t h e h a r d
ware p o t e n t i a l . The p r i n c i p a l d i f f e r e n c e s i n t h e SSDS v e r s i o n s
a r e , c o s m e t i c p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h e u s e r i n t e r f a c e and t h e a b i l
i t i e s o f t h e system t o accommodate t a i l o r i n g t o p a r t i c u l a r
needs.
33. W i t h r e g a r d t o t h e u s e r i n t e r f a c e A u t o c a d SSDS p r e s e n t s a
f o r m menu t o be f i l l e d , whereas R a d r a f t SSDS p r e s e n t s each q u e s
t i o n i n d i v i d u a l l y on a p r o m p t l i n e . This cosmetic v a r i a t i o n i s
merely s u b j e c t to personal t a s t e .
34. The second d i f f e r e n c e i s more p r o f o u n d . R a d r a f t c o n t a i n s
i t s own macro l a n g u a g e , programmable by t h e u s e r o r Radan. This
a l l o w s f u l l y i n t e r a c t i v e t a i l o r i n g o f t h e a p p l i c a t i o n s by p r o v
i d i n g the f o l l o w i n g f a c i l i t i e s : -
a) The c h a i n i n g o f d r a f t i n g commands
b) The a b s t r a c t i o n o f g e o m e t r i c a l d r a w i n g d a t a
c) The w r i t i n g and r e a d i n g o f f i l e s
d) E x t e n s i v e c a l c u l a t i v e powers
T h i s e n a b l e s t h e F a b r i c a t o r s ' method o f w o r k i n g t o be a c c o u n t e d
f o r and s u i t a b l e systems t o be e a s i l y t a i l o r e d t o s p e c i a l n e e d s .
I t a l s o a l l o w s l e n g t h s o f s e c t i o n s t o be a u t o m a t i c a l l y c a l c u l
ated from already e x i s t i n g drawing d a t a . F i l e r e a d i n g and w r i t
i n g a l l o w s d e s i g n p r o g r a m o u t p u t t o be i n p u t i n t o R a d r a f t SSDS
f o r a u t o m a t i c s e c t i o n s p e c i f i c a t i o n as w e l l as t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f
a d d i t i o n a l s c h e d u l e s f o r s a y , p u r l i n s and c l a d d i n g . Although
A u t o c a d has i t s v e r s i o n o f a macro language i t i s n o t p o s s i b l e
t o use t h i s as e x t e n s i v e l y w i t h SSDS.
CONCLUSION
35. A v i a b l e , cost e f f e c t i v e S t r u c t u r a l Steelwork D e t a i l i n g
and S c h e d u l i n g s y s t e m , SSDS, i s a v a i l a b l e now. T h i s w i l l p r o v
i d e s i g n i f i c a n t savings i n the drawing o f f i c e t o g e t h e r w i t h r e d
u c t i o n o f e r r o r s and i n c r e a s e s i n a c c u r a c y .
36. F o r t h e s m a l l company, t h e s e l f - e m p l o y e d c o n t r a c t d e t
a i l e r and e d u c a t i o n a l e s t a b l i s h m e n t s t h e A u t o c a d SSDS v e r s i o n
is ideal. The l a r g e r o r g a n i s a t i o n , t h o s e w i t h e x t e n s i v e complex
d r a w i n g s o r where s p e c i f i c t a i l o r i n g w o u l d be advantageous w o u l d
b e n e f i t c o n s i d e r a b l y f r o m t h e R a d r a f t SSDS v e r s i o n .
100
Discussion
MR W. M. YOUNG, S t i r l i n g Maynard & P a r t n e r s , P e t e r b o r o u g h

W i t h r e f e r e n c e t o Paper 4 , my company h a s n o t y e t used i t s
CAD system f o r t h i s t y p e o f d e t a i l i n g , b u t i n my f o u r y e a r s '
e x p e r i e n c e as a c o n s u l t a n t a d v i s i n g m a n u f a c t u r e r s on CADCAM
under t h e Department o f Trade and I n d u s t r y Scheme, e v e r y
a p p l i c a t i o n w h i c h h a s shown p o t e n t i a l f o r a l a r g e
p r o d u c t i v i t y i n c r e a s e has been based on p a r a m e t r i c d r a w i n g s .
Could t h e A u t h o r p l e a s e comment?
MR J . S. L . COOPER, Mid Glamorgan County C o u n c i l

We a r e i n v e s t i n g h e a v i l y i n CAD and hope t o a c h i e v e s a v i n g s
not o n l y i n improved s t a f f p r o d u c t i v i t y , but a l s o i n reduced
f i n a l b u i l d c o s t s and c l a i m s , and i n t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f l o s s
of g r a n t s from government. We a l s o hope t o a c h i e v e s a v i n g s
over the c u r r e n t c o s t s o f our computing systems. Finally,
o r g a n i s a t i o n s w h i c h do n o t i n v e s t i n CAD w i l l f i n d i t
i n c r e a s i n g l y d i f f i c u l t t o a t t r a c t good q u a l i t y s t a f f .
S e v e r a l Papers r e f e r t o t h e c o m p u t i n g power needed by CAD
s y s t e m s . At t h e same t i m e , t h e p r o b l e m s o f managing t h e s e
c o m p u t e r s and t h e i r d a t a have a l s o been r a i s e d . The modern
32 b i t w o r k s t a t i o n ( A p o l l o , SUN, V A X s t a t i o n and so on)
o f f e r s the necessary computing power, t o g e t h e r w i t h the
a b i l i t y t o share r e s o u r c e s and t o p r e v e n t t h e misuse o f t h e
system. S e v e r a l l a r g e s o f t w a r e e n g i n e e r i n g houses i n t h i s
c o u n t r y a r e now c o n f i n i n g t h e i r d e v e l o p m e n t s t o w o r k
stations.
Do m i n i c o m p u t e r s have t h e power needed by modern CAD
systems? Perhaps i n t e n y e a r s ' t i m e , m i n i c o m p u t e r s w i l l be
a t h i n g of the p a s t . Could t h e A u t h o r s p l e a s e comment?
MR T . A . NICHOLSON, S i r A l e x a n d e r G i b b & P a r t n e r s
There has been l i t t l e d i s c u s s i o n about t h e i n v e s t m e n t c o s t s
o f t r a i n i n g u s e r s i n CAD. C o u l d t h e A u t h o r s g i v e some i d e a
o f how l o n g i t t a k e s f o r d e t a l l e r s t o become p r o f i c i e n t i n
t h e use o f CAD r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e d e t a i l i n g ?
CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork. Thomas Telford, London, 1987. 101
CAD SYSTEMS
MR KATTENHORN ( P a p e r 4)
W h i l e i t i s t r u e t h a t u s i n g a CAD system as a s t r a i g h t
forward draughting t o o l w i l l increase p r o d u c t i v i t y , i t i s
o n l y when r e p e t i t i v e d r a u g h t i n g p r o c e s s e s a r e automated t h a t
f u r t h e r a p p r e c i a b l e g a i n s i n p r o d u c t i v i t y c a n be a c h i e v e d .
P a r a m e t r i c symbols have been used e x t e n s i v e l y w i t h i n t h e
development o f t h e s o f t w a r e f o r T a y l o r Woodrow CAD
applications. The a d v a n t a g e o f t h e t e c h n i q u e s i s t h a t
development does n o t r e q u i r e a p a r t i c u l a r l y h i g h l e v e l o f
computing e x p e r t i s e . The g e n e r a t i o n o f l i b r a r i e s o f
p a r a m e t r i c symbols i s an e x t e n s i o n o f t h e d r a w i n g p r o c e s s
and c o u l d be u n d e r t a k e n by c o m p e t e n t d r a u g h t s m e n .
U n t i l r e c e n t l y , CAD systems were based e i t h e r a r o u n d
c e n t r a l m a i n f r a m e / m i n i c o m p u t e r s w i t h W/S c o n n e c t e d t o them
o r on m i c r o c o m p u t e r s n e t w o r k e d t o g e t h e r . Both of these
s o l u t i o n s tended t o s u f f e r from the problem of p r o v i d i n g
adequate c o m p u t i n g power t o ' k e e p u p ' w i t h t h e draughtsmen
at reasonable c o s t . I m p r o v e m e n t s i n t e c h n o l o g y have seen
t h e c o s t o f c o m p u t e r power s t e a d i l y f a l l i n g , and i t i s now
p o s s i b l e t o p r o v i d e a w o r k s t a t i o n w i t h t h e power o f t h e m i n i
at t h e c o s t o f a m i c r o . W i t h i n o u r o r g a n i s a t i o n , i t i s
e n v i s a g e d t h a t f u t u r e e x p a n s i o n o f CAD w i l l be ' s t a n d a l o n e '
w o r k s t a t i o n s l i n k e d to a c e n t r a l f i l e server f o r drawing
s t o r a g e and s e c u r i t y .
W i t h i n o u r o r g a n i s a t i o n , CAD d r a u g h t s m e n a r e g i v e n an
i n i t i a l two week t r a i n i n g c o u r s e , a t t h e end o f w h i c h t h e y
a r e n o r m a l l y a b l e t o p r o d u c e d r a w i n g s a t t h e same r a t e as on
t h e d r a w i n g b o a r d . W i t h i n one m o n t h , t h e draughtsmen can be
e x p e c t e d t o be f u l l y c o n v e r s a n t w i t h t h e CAD s y s t e m ,
although experience continues to develop t h e r e a f t e r . I n our
e x p e r i e n c e t h e s e l e c t i o n o f t h e r i g h t t y p e o f p e r s o n has a
m a j o r i n f l u e n c e on t h e p r o d u c t i v i t y i m p r o v e m e n t s . Full-time
CAD o p e r a t o r s a r e g e n e r a l l y s i g n i f i c a n t l y more p r o d u c t i v e
t h a n d r a u g h t s m e n who share t h e i r t i m e w i t h a d r a w i n g b o a r d .
T e c h n i c i a n s / d e t a i l e r s / d r a u g h t s m e n a r e g e n e r a l l y more
p r o d u c t i v e on CAD t h a n a r e ' p a r t t i m e ' e n g i n e e r s .
MR JONES ( P a p e r 5)
I n r e p l y t o Mr Y o u n g , t h e d e c i s i o n t o i n v e s t i n CAD was made
on t h e b a s i s o f a m u l t i - f u n c t i o n a l s y s t e m , w i t h p a r t i c u l a r
a t t e n t i o n g i v e n t o t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f RC and s t r u c t u r a l
steelwork d e t a i l i n g .
The RC d e t a i l i n g (RCDS) package r e q u i r e d a d d i t i o n a l s t a f f
t r a i n i n g f o l l o w i n g t h e i n i t i a l GDS A and B c o u r s e s , and t h e
o v e r a l l p e r i o d of t r a i n i n g courses covered twelve days,
f o l l o w e d by i n t e n s i v e i n - h o u s e p r a c t i c e . Productivity
s t e a d i l y i n c r e a s e d i n accordance w i t h p r o f i c i e n c y . The
present output i n d i c a t e s a f o u r f o l d increase i n drawing
p r o d u c t i o n , and i n t h e case o f RC work much o f t h i s has
accrued f r o m the a u t o m a t i c bending schedule p r o d u c t i o n .
102
DISCUSSION
I n r e p l y t o Mr C o o p e r , t h e m a t t e r s r a i s e d i n s u p p o r t o f a
CAD system a r e v e r y r e l e v a n t and a r e f u l l y s u p p o r t e d by t h e
Authors.
The system i n D o r s e t was i n t r o d u c e d on t h e b a s i s o f t h e
f o l l o w i n g h a r d w a r e : one CPU w i t h a memory o f 5 m e g a b y t e s ;
t h r e e w o r k s t a t i o n s ; one p l o t t e r ; one h a r d c o p i e r ; and one
digitiser.
The c a p a c i t y o f t h e CPU memory was i n c r e a s e d r e c e n t l y t o
9 megabytes w i t h f o u r f u r t h e r w o r k s t a t i o n s , and f u t u r e
e x p a n s i o n w i l l i n c l u d e a f u r t h e r CPU and two w o r k s t a t i o n s ,
t o g e t h e r w i t h u p g r a d i n g o f t h e p r e s e n t d i s k d r i v e s f r o m 75
megabytes t o 170.
M i n i c o m p u t e r s may n o t have t h e power r e q u i r e d by CAD
systems b u t , as t h e y a r e used s p e c i f i c a l l y as d e s i g n t o o l s
i n t h e T r a n s p o r t a t i o n and E n g i n e e r i n g D e p a r t m e n t , we
e n v i s a g e t h a t t h e r e w i l l be a need f o r m i n i c o m p u t e r s i n t h e
foreseeable f u t u r e .
I n r e p l y t o Mr N i c h o l s o n , when i n t r o d u c i n g a CAD s y s t e m ,
i t i s o f u t m o s t i m p o r t a n c e p r o p e r l y t o i d e n t i f y and
undertake the a s s o c i a t e d s t a f f t r a i n i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s . With
r e g a r d t o RC d e t a i l i n g , each p r o p o s e d u s e r u n d e r t o o k t h e
b a s i c GDS A and B t r a i n i n g c o u r s e s , f o l l o w e d by two RCDS
c o u r s e s , making a t o t a l o f t w e l v e t r a i n i n g d a y s . T h i s was
f o l l o w e d by a p e r i o d o f i n - h o u s e t r a i n i n g and p r a c t i c e -
T r a i n i n g c o s t s p e r member o f s t a f f were i n t h e r e g i o n o f
£ 2 0 0 0 , and an a v e r a g e f i g u r e f o r p r o f i c i e n c y i n use o f t h e
system w o u l d be a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h r e e m o n t h s .
MR ROWLEY ( P a p e r 6)
I n r e p l y t o Mr Y o u n g , i t h a s been o u r e x p e r i e n c e t h a t
p r o d u c t i v i t y g a i n s a r e l a r g e s t when p r o d u c i n g d e t a i l s
s i m i l a r t o t h o s e a l r e a d y s t o r e d i n t h e CAD s y s t e m . Exact
c o p i e s a r e e a s i l y d e a l t w i t h by manual d r a u g h t i n g a n d ,
t h e r e f o r e , do n o t p r o d u c e l a r g e p r o d u c t i v i t y g a i n s on CAD.
E f f e c t i v e p r o d u c t i v i t y g a i n s can be o b t a i n e d when p r o d u c i n g
s i m i l a r d e t a i l s t h r o u g h CAD e d i t i n g commands, b u t g a i n s a r e
l a r g e s t i f t h e d e t a i l s can be drawn a u t o m a t i c a l l y f r o m
parameter!sed i n f o r m a t i o n . I t i s , however, a l s o our
experience t h a t d e t a i l s s u i t a b l e f o r p a r a m e t e r i s a t i o n are
r e l a t i v e l y few and f a r between i n t h e c i v i l e n g i n e e r i n g
industry.
I n r e p l y t o Mr C o o p e r , t h e s u i t a b i l i t y o f m i n i c o m p u t e r s
f o r CAD depends on s e v e r a l f a c t o r s . One o f t h e s e i n v o l v e s
the c a p a b i l i t i e s o f t h e g r a p h i c s w o r k s t a t i o n and
s o p h i s t i c a t i o n o f t h e CAD s o f t w a r e . For e x a m p l e , T e k t r o n i x
41XX and 42XX w o r k s t a t i o n s a r e c a p a b l e o f a c c e p t i n g
amendments t o t h e s t o r e d p i c t u r e i n t e r m s o f c o n t e n t and
p r o p o r t i o n shown on t h e d i s p l a y . Not a l l s o f t w a r e i s
c a p a b l e o f u s i n g t h e s e f e a t u r e s and w i l l use t h e m i n i
computer and c o m m u n i c a t i o n s r e s o u r c e s t o a g r e a t e r e x t e n t .
However, o f g r e a t e r s i g n i f i c a n c e i s any s t a t e m e n t made by
the v e n d o r s as t o t h e c a p a c i t y o f t h e m i n i - c o m p u t e r t o
103
CAD SYSTEMS
h a n d l e a g i v e n number o f w o r k s t a t i o n s . To p u t fewer
w o r k s t a t i o n s on t h e system i n c r e a s e s i n d i v i d u a l t h r o u g h p u t ,
but at a h i g h e r c o s t per s e a t . I n our o p i n i o n , m i n i
c o m p u t e r s can be bought a t s u f f i c i e n t l y l o w c o s t t o g i v e
s a t i s f a c t o r y p e r f o r m a n c e f o r 2D CAD. The r e s o u r c e s r e q u i r e d
by RC d e t a i l i n g and 3D m o d e l l i n g , a r e f a r g r e a t e r , h o w e v e r ,
and t h e w o r k s t a t i o n a p p r o a c h becomes more o b v i o u s l y
worthwhile.
There i s a d e f i n i t e t r e n d t o w a r d s a b l u r r i n g o f t h e
b o u n d a r i e s between m i c r o c o m p u t e r and w o r k s t a t i o n , and
w o r k s t a t i o n and m i n i c o m p u t e r . We b e l i e v e t h a t , w i t h i n t h e
s u g g e s t e d t i m e s c a l e , each u s e r w i l l be e q u i p p e d w i t h
d e d i c a t e d computer power w h i c h w o u l d i n c l u d e h i s / h e r own
main and g r a p h i c p r o c e s s o r s . On some s i t e s t h e d i s k s t o r a g e
w i l l be d i s t r i b u t e d t o each w o r k s t a t i o n and o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o
share d a t a w i l l be l i m i t e d . I t i s t o be hoped t h a t most
s i t e s w i l l be a b l e t o j u s t i f y a f u l l y n e t w o r k e d s y s t e m , w i t h
c e n t r a l l y managed d o c u m e n t a t i o n and a r c h i v i n g o f g r a p h i c
data.
I n r e p l y t o Mr N i c h o l s o n , a t WS A t k i n s t h e t r a i n i n g o f
t e c h n i c i a n s i n t h e use o f CAD RC d e t a i l i n g h a s been c a r r i e d
o u t o n l y a f t e r t h e y have become f u l l y p r o f i c i e n t i n g e n e r a l
d r a u g h t i n g by CAD. H a v i n g m a s t e r e d t h e b a s i c s y s t e m , t h e
l e a r n i n g o f an a d d i t i o n a l m o d u l e , such as RC d e t a i l i n g , i s a
r e l a t i v e l y s i m p l e m a t t e r and we w o u l d e s t i m a t e t h a t two
d a y s ' t r a i n i n g t o g e t h e r w i t h two weeks' use w o u l d be
adequate t o a c h i e v e p r o f i c i e n c y . L e a r n i n g t i m e s can v a r y
c o n s i d e r a b l y between o p e r a t o r s b u t , on a v e r a g e , we w o u l d
e x p e c t t r a i n i n g i n g e n e r a l d r a u g h t i n g t o l a s t two weeks and
t h a t o p e r a t o r s w o u l d become p r o f i c i e n t a f t e r t h r e e m o n t h s '
f u l l - t i m e use.
MR G. K. RAVEN, Ward B u i l d i n g Systems L t d

As a f a b r i c a t o r , we have t h e BOCAD system m e n t i o n e d by Dr
Watson f o r d e t a i l i n g s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k . A l t h o u g h we have
a r r a n g e d s u i t a b l e h a r d w a r e , w i t h an o p t i c f i b r e l i n k i n t o
t h e w o r k s , t h e r e i s , a t p r e s e n t , no d i r e c t l i n k between t h e
CAD and t h e NC m a c h i n e s . This i s c u r r e n t l y being developed.
W i t h r e g a r d t o t h e q u e s t i o n o f 2D o r 3D s y s t e m s , our
e x p e r i e n c e i s t h a t g a i n s f r o m p u r e d r a u g h t i n g and s c h e d u l i n g
f r o m 2D work a r e n o t g e n e r a l l y a v a i l a b l e . To o b t a i n f u l l
b e n e f i t s , 3D systems a r e e s s e n t i a l t o g i v e an i n t e g r a t e d
method o f w o r k i n g and t o m i n i m i s e c h e c k i n g and r o u t i n e t a s k s
at the t e r m i n a l . D r a w i n g s a r e used as a means o f
c o m m u n i c a t i n g i n f o r m a t i o n , and t h e l a r g e r systems have t h e
p o t e n t i a l t o p r o v i d e t h i s f u n c t i o n w i t h o u t t h e need f o r
c h e c k i n g each i n d i v i d u a l d r a w i n g . Only t h e b a s i c i n p u t
model needs t o be checked b o t h i n - h o u s e and by c o n s u l t i n g
e n g i n e e r s once t h e system has been e s t a b l i s h e d . This w i l l
c l e a r l y r e d u c e w o r k f o r a l l p a r t i e s and w i l l speed up a
d i f f i c u l t area i n the present o r g a n i s a t i o n of c o n s t r u c t i o n .
104
DISCUSSION
MR E. O'BRIEN, E l e c t r i c i t y Supply Board

How c l o s e t o r e a l i t y i s t h e c o n c e p t o f l i n k i n g c o m p u t e r
a i d e d d e s i g n and d e t a i l i n g w i t h t h e m a n u f a c t u r e / f a b r i c a t i o n
of s t r u c t u r a l steelwork?
The t r e n d i n r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e seems t o be t o w a r d s t h e
p r o d u c t i o n o f d e t a i l r e i n f o r c e m e n t d r a w i n g s and s c h e d u l e s ,
whereas i n s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k t h e t r e n d i s t o w a r d s 3D
m o d e l l i n g and subsequent a n a l y s i s r a t h e r t h a n d e t a i l i n g .
Could t h e A u t h o r s p l e a s e comment?
DR WATSON (Paper 7)
I n r e p l y t o Mr Raven, I agree t h a t t h e r e i s l i m i t e d
advantage i n u s i n g 2D systems f o r d e t a i l i n g s t r u c t u r a l
steelwork.
Once d r a w i n g s become no more t h a n r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s o f a
more c o m p r e h e n s i v e model h e l d i n t h e c o m p u t e r , t h e i r r o l e as
t h e p r i m a r y means o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n i s i n d e e d t h r e a t e n e d .
However, t e c h n i c a l and o r g a n i s a t i o n a l p r o b l e m s h i n d e r t h e
t r a n s f e r o f such models between c o m p u t e r systems and w i l l
d e l a y w i d e s p r e a d c o m m u n i c a t i o n by t h i s means.
I n t e g r a t e d systems o f f e r s u b s t a n t i a l p o t e n t i a l f o r a
r e d u c t i o n i n t h e need f o r c h e c k i n g , b u t t h i s may be b e t t e r
viewed as a p o t e n t i a l t o reduce t h e number o f e r r o r s . It is
e s s e n t i a l t h a t t h e i n d u s t r y i s a l e r t t o t h e consequences
(and d a n g e r s ) o f such t e c h n o l o g i c a l c h a n g e s . Contractural
r e l a t i o n s h i p s may w e l l have t o be r e v i s e d t o compensate f o r
these c h a n g e s .
I n r e p l y t o Mr O ' B r i e n , much o f t h e t e c h n o l o g y needed t o
l i n k CAD and CAM f o r s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k e x i s t s a l r e a d y ,
and s p e c i f i c l o c a l i s e d examples can ( a l m o s t ) be f o u n d now.
However, we a r e p r o b a b l y 15 y e a r s away f r o m i t s w i d e s p r e a d
a p p l i c a t i o n t o a b r o a d s p e c t r u m o f p r o d u c t s . The d i f f i c u l t y
i s t o achieve s u f f i c i e n t f l e x i b i l i t y i n the i n t e g r a t i o n of
systems and a c o s t t h a t i s e c o n o m i c . These i s s u e s a r e b e i n g
addressed by t h e Eureka r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t EU130, w h i c h seeks
t o e s t a b l i s h t h e f o u n d a t i o n s f o r s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l w o r k CIM
s y s t e m s . T h i s pan European p r o j e c t s t a r t e d r e c e n t l y and i s
expected t o l a s t f o u r y e a r s .
Comparisons between r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e and s t r u c t u r a l
s t e e l w o r k a r e i n t e r e s t i n g s i n c e t h e l a t t e r a p p e a r s t o have
s u b s t a n t i a l l y greater p o t e n t i a l f o r automation of the
manufacturing process. I t may be t h a t we w i l l see g r e a t e r
use o f p r e - c a s t c o n c r e t e i n t h e f u t u r e . I agree w i t h the
t r e n d d e s c r i b e d f o r r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e b u t suspect t h a t t h e
t r e n d i s more c o m p l e x i n t h e case o f s t e e l w o r k . Not a l l
s t r u c t u r e s need an a n a l y s i s based on a 3D model w h i l e
d e t a i l i n g i s f r e q u e n t l y n o t p e r f o r m e d by t h e d e s i g n e r . A
11
major r e s u l t o f EU130 s h o u l d be a " p r o d u c t m o d e l l e r for
s t r u c t u r a l steelwork t h a t w i l l a l l o w the r e q u i r e d
i n f o r m a t i o n t o f l o w between d e s i g n , d e t a i l i n g and
manufacture.
105

CAD in Reinforced Concrete Detailing and Structural Steelwork, 1994

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CAD in Reinforced Concrete Detailing and Structural Steelwork, 1994

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Paper 1.

The BARD system for reinforcement detailing —

M.R. HOLLINGTON, BSc(Eng), PhD, DICE, MICE, MIStructE,

SYNOPSIS. The BARD system developed by the Cement & Concrete

(a) First of all, from the users point of view, there is

(b) Similarly, on the output side, there was a requirement

fast drum plotters was often in excess of ten thousand pounds

(c) Finally, from the software supplier's point of view, the

2. BARD was therefore written in standard ANSI Fortran,

3. To summarise, BARD has been carefully designed to give

per day giving an overall efficiency in excess of 10:1 when

DATE HADE CHKD REVISION DATE HADE CMS REVISION OA-4.2

ELEVATION - NOT TO SCALE ELEVATION - NOT TO SCALE ELEVATION - NOT TO SCALE

SCALE A-A 0IA.S00 Q_D 8-300 1 0

VERTICAL 31 T23 3 16 48 3673 427 800 300 2340

VERTICAL 31 T23 S 10 80 3473 37 BOO

TOTAL 7.933 0.416

5. It is very difficult to fully automate r.c. detailing by

BEAMS 1 This program details a single beam span, the span

BEAMS2 This program details a single beam span where the

COLUMNS This program covers columns of square, rectangular

FLAT SLABS This program covers the detailing of solid

SOLID SLABS This program covers the detailing of solid

(a) Two-way spanning continuous panels

WAFFLE SLABS This program covers the detailing of reinforced

TROUGH SLABS This program covers the detailing of reinforced

LOADBEARING WALLS This program covers the detailing of wall

BARDSHED This program is used to schedule elements for which

10. Austin Trueman Associates, who have fifteen engineers in

11. Alan Marshall Partnership have used BARD for several

Bromsgrove & Redditch District General Hospital

12. Module 2, based at Bridgend, have recently used BARD

14. In the former case, particularly with r.c. detailing in

15. Nevertheless, at the system design stage of BARD, we

17. With the advent of lower-cost CAD it is tempting to take

18. The next stage will therefore be to increase the

19. In conclusion, detailing reinforcement manually is

T.J. P A R S O N S , BSc, M I C E , F E A L t d , a n d S.P.R. V I N C E N T , M A , MSc,

SYNOPSIS. This paper describes the design philosophy and

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork

4. One of the major considerations in the design of the

DATA STRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION

CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork

for the bending schedules. Standard parameter values such as

CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork

fixed pitch ladder, position information such as

CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork

12T10-40-200 B (PCR 1950)

1 No. GROUPt PART PERIMETER SLAB

Fig. 1. Radial bars and ladders

1 No. GROUP WINGWALL A

Fig. 2. Typical complex detail produced by GIPSYS RCD

section or the end of bars which overlap, as in,Fig. 2. This

CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork

the total will be doubled if the same bar occurs in two

CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork

CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork

CAD in reinforced concrete detailing and structural steelwork

M. RICHARDS, Laing Technology Group

SYNOPSIS. T h i s p a p e r o u t l i n e s t h e uses t o w h i c h CAD has

1 I n 1975 John L a i n g p u r c h a s e d a C o m p u t e r v i s i o n CADDS3

2 The a r e a o f i n v e s t i g a t i o n was computer a i d e d d e s i g n and

a) 3D MODELLING AND REINFORCED CONCRETE DETAILING.