National Conference on Exploring New Dimensions in Teaching Learning for Quality Education
Use of Python Programming for interactive
design of Reinforced Concrete Structures.
Shivaji M. Sarvade1, Sachin M. Pore2
1,2
Department of Civil Engineering, Dr. B.A.T.U., Vidyavihar, Lonere, Maharashtra.
1
shivaji.sarvade@gmail.com
2
smpore@dbatu.ac.in
Track No: 1
Track Name: Different dimensions of Teaching-Learning
Abstract: In India, majority of construction activities are of
reinforced concrete structures, therefore design of
reinforced concrete structures is one of the important
subject considering employment aspect of Civil
Engineering students. With diversified structural
configurations it is imperative to use computer programs for
analysis and design of structures. Many commercial
programs are available for design of reinforced concrete
structures, however they are expensive and provide limited
user licence. Every software has inherent assumptions
which must be clearly understood before its implementation
in design. It is always advisable to develop own programs
for design of structures, as normally practised in most
design firms, either by using MS-Excel spreadsheet or any
other computer programs. The only disadvantage with these
programs is that they are expensive and are not
customisable / flexible for individual needs. Python has
been developing as a most favoured language for computer
programing over other languages because of its ease in
programming. A user without any programming
background can also effectively start developing programs
in Python [1]. This tool can be very effectively utilised in
teaching-learning process of design of concrete structures.
Advantage with use of Python is that a designer can create
a customised program for interactive design. Python
programs can also be converted in executable softwares.
The paper discusses few programs developed using Python
as a part of enhancement in teaching-learning process.
Implementation of Python programming in undergraduate
design course will improve the analytical skills of the
students and have significant contribution to make them
design industry ready professionals.
Keywords: Python, Structural Design, Reinforced
Concrete Structures, Interactive Design
Corresponding Author
Shivaji M. Sarvade, Department of Civil Engineering,
Dr. B.A.T.U., Vidyavihar, Lonere, Maharashtra.
shivaji.sarvade@gmail.com
1. Python for Civil Engineering
ISBN 978-93-88441-93-3
Python is a high level open source programming language
which is extensively used by programmers across the world
for various applications. It is available for free and can work
easily on personal computers with minimum configuration.
Design of reinforced concrete structure has been carried out
using various commercial softwares available in the market
and this has been introduced in the academics to a certain
extent as well. However, these softwares are expensive and
it is not affordable for most institutes to purchase in
sufficient number. Moreover, use of these readily available
softwares does not enhance learning aspect much as the
students can get the output with just few clicks.
Programming on the other hand, can enhance the learning
of the students as they need to develop the program for the
solving the problem with diversified scenarios. Use of
programming in Civil Engineering has lots of advantages
and languages such as C, C++ are the part of curriculum in
Civil Engineering in some of the universities. Though this
has not resulted in appreciable success owing to one
fundamental problem that these courses are delivered by a
faculty from either Computer Science or by non-Civil
Engineering faculty. Here lies the advantage of Python
compared with the other languages. Any person who does
not have programming background can start using Python
as it is very interactive and easy to program. Therefore, a
Civil Engineering faculty can use this language without
consuming extensive time on learning the language and
start developing tutorials to utilise this language for his
course.
2. Important Python Libraries for Civil Engineering
Python has extensive standard library and as it is an open
source language, many useful libraries are developed for its
use in data science. Import function of the standard library
of Python gives the flexibility to use these libraries in
programming. Some of the libraries which are very useful
from Civil Engineering aspect are discussed here, but one
can search the library (package) for his own purpose from
many available libraries.
A. NumPy
NumPy[iv] is probably the most important library and most
of the libraries are built using NumPy. It helps in creating
the arrays of multi dimension with ease. For example, we
have to interpolate for shear strength of concrete based on
grade of concrete and provided percentage of
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reinforcement. This data is given in the table number 19 of
IS 456-2000. With the use of NumPy, these arrays can be
used in programming for further calculations.
B. SciPy
SciPy[v] is another most important library which is
extensively used for mathematics and engineering. For
example, we have to interpolate for values from the code
and this interpolation in design of reinforced concrete
structure is mostly one dimensional. The SciPy function
“interp1d” seamlessly perform such interpolations for a user
value in the program from given NumPy array. SciPy can
also be used for performing numerical integration, solving
differential equations etc.
C. Pandas
Pandas[vi] is another important library which gives access to
use of MS-Excel in the programming besides many other
built in functions. Pandas are not used in this paper,
however, it is an important library for Civil Engineers
handling large data with MS-Excel spreadsheets.
D. Matplotlib
Matplotlib[v] is the library for plotting multiple types of 2D
graphs using Python. It can produce high quality bar charts,
histograms, power spectra etc. This library is not used in the
paper but it is very useful library for Civil Engineering.
3. Implementation of Python for RCC Design Course
Design of reinforced concrete structures can be taught very
effectively using Python as design of any structural element
follows a stepwise procedure with checks from
IS 456-2000. The stepwise procedure can help to form the
algorithm for the program. From the programmers
perspective it is relatively easy to program for such cases as
it has constant procedure with variable input from the user
and checks from the standard tables, clauses of the IS code.
Students are required to design various structural elements
like, beams, slabs, columns, footings etc. for different inputs
of span, loading and support conditions. If they are asked to
develop the algorithm for each structural element (which is
nothing but the stepwise procedure), and asked to program
the same using Python it can boost their understanding to an
appreciable level. Further, it will enhance the creativity of
the students as the programs can be written in numerous
ways for the same element and application of their creativity
will encourage them to write the code in the least possible
lines for a complicated structural design. The results of the
developed programs can also be compared with the
available commercial softwares to develop the confidence
of the students in the programming. This skill will definitely
increase their employment probability.
4. Challenges for Implementing Python in course
As discussed earlier, Python is an open source language and
is developing day by day by various contributors. Till now
two major versions of Python exists, Python 2 and Python
3. Python 3 is a considerable improvement over Python 2
and some of the functions in Python 2 are not supported by
ISBN 978-93-88441-93-3
the latest version. Also, the supporting libraries are under
development which may not be compatible with the older
version. The latest version of Python is Python 3.7.3
released on 25th March, 2019[i] which is used in this paper.
Python lacks in the resources for learning for non-computer
science student to certain extent and one has to spend bit of
time on searching the information from the documentation
web portal of each library. Though it is not that time
consuming because of large community websites helping
for Python programming, hard copy references are difficult
to find for the latest version. There are different IDLEs
(Integrated Development Learning Environment) for
Python like Spyder, PyCharm, Jupyter Notebook [ii] etc. and
one may find it difficult to choose the IDLE for the task at
hand. It is recommended to use only one IDLE in the
beginning till one is familiar with the IDLE. In this paper,
default IDLE of Python is used.
5. Illustrative Python Programs for Design Course
Following are few illustrative programs which aim to
explain applications of various Python functions. Python
has extensive documentation available on the official
website and online communities. Built in help function
can be used for help on any argument or keyword.
Figure 1. Help Function in Python
A. Python program for type of beam section.
IS code does not allow use of over-Reinforced (ORF)
section and it is required to check the design to ensure the
design is under-reinforced (URF) or at the most balanced
section. Algorithm for the same can be summarised in the
following table.
Table 1. Steps to check the type of beam section
No. Step
1 Calculate Provided Area of Steel
2 Find actual depth of NA (xa) by Cu =Tu
3 From given grade of steel, find xulim
4 Compare xulim with xa
5 If xulim > xa the section is URF,
If xulim < xa the section is ORF
If xulim = xa the section is Balanced
Table 2. Common functions required in Python
Function Use
input() Takes user input (can be float,
integer, string)
print() Displays anything written in quotes
import__as_ Imports a library with user defined
short name to call the library
function
To program this we have to utilise comparison operator and
if-else statement. Common functions used in Python 3
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are illustrated in table no.2. Following python code can be
used to check type of section for Fe 415.
Figure 2. Type of Section program in Python for Fe 415.
B. Shear strength of concrete form IS 456-2000
To find shear strength of concrete for given grade of
concrete and provided percentage of reinforcement, we
have to use NumPy and SciPy libraries. NumPy library is
used to form database given in table no.19 of IS code [2] and
SciPy interpolation function interp1d will be used for linear
interpolation. The program can calculate shear strength of
concrete for grade up to M30, however it can be expanded
further.
Figure 3. Program to calculate shear strength of Concrete.
C. Design of Two way slab as per Annexure D, IS 456-2000
This is probably most tricky problem to program as it
involves 9 different end conditions and requires
interpolation for the bending moment coefficients at four
different locations. Corresponding reinforcement is to be
provided at appropriate location. This program also requires
use of NumPy and SciPy. Further, we can write the output
to a text file (.txt) using write (w+) function of Python. For
reinforcement calculations, inbuilt math function is also
required to take square root in the reinforcement calculation
formula.
Figure 4 Write function in Python
Here f is defined as a function to create a .txt file with the
file name Output. Important thing to note with write
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function is that it takes only one argument and the data type
must be string. The output file can be formatted by using
‘\n’ to add a new line and ‘\t’ to add a tab separator.
Figure 5 Importing of libraries in the program
All nine conditions and their corresponding bending
moment coefficients are put in the program in the form of
NumPy array. Based on the user values of Ly and Lx ratios
and the case number, it not only calculates the Bending
moments and corresponding reinforcements, but also writes
the important output information such as case number,
bending moments and reinforcements to a text file named
Output.txt.
6. Converting Python script to Windows Application
Python programs are called as Python scripts which can be
converted to Windows applications (.exe program) which
can be run on any machine that does not have Python
installed. Python can also be used to create android apps but
this is not in the scope of the paper. To convert a Python
script to .exe application, we have to install
pyinstaller to the system and with the help of
pyinstaller any Python script can be converted to
an .exe or an application program.
Figure 6 Windows application of TW slab and sample output text file
6. Conclusion
Use of Python programming in the teaching-learning
process of Design of RCC structure can be very beneficial.
The programming not only develops the analytical skills but
creates a problem solving attitude in the students while
debugging the programs. This skill also enhances their
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employment potential as the design industry is looking for

a customized, cost effective solution for design of
structures. If the students are exposed to Python
programming they can prepare programs for real life
structural design as well. The language is open source and
can be used free of cost to develop programs even on the
personal computers with minimum hardware configuration.

References
1. McGrath M. (2018), Python in easy steps, 2013 Edition,
Ninth Reprint, McGraw Hill Education Pvt. Ltd, Chennai
2. BIS, IS 456-2000, Tenth reprint 2007,Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi

A. Web References:
i) https://www.python.org/ (last accessed on 20th May 2019)
ii) https://www.datacamp.com/community/tutorials/data-
science-python-ide (last accessed on 20th May 2019)
iii) https://docs.python.org/3/library/index.html#library-
index (last accessed on 20th May 2019)
iv) https://www.numpy.org/ (last accessed on 20th May
2019)
v) https://docs.scipy.org/doc/scipy/reference/ (last
accessed on 20th May 2019)
vi) https://pandas.pydata.org/ (last accessed on 20th May
2019)

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