Country list

Allows you to specify the country used for the reinforcement information.

Longitudinal bars

Short span maximum length

Spans smaller than the value set here are treated as short spans. Support bars of short spans are merged with the span bars.

Use same size bars in multilayer arrangements

Allows you to use the same bar size in each layer.

Use same number of bars in each layer

Allows you to use the same number of bars in each layer.

Cut length rounding increment

Allows you to specify a value to which cut lengths are rounded.

Merge identical longitudinal bars if appropriate

Allows you to merge bars of the same size, number, and position, provided that the total length of the merged bar does not exceed the max allowable bar length.

Extend top longitudinal support bars symmetrically

Extends the support bars symmetrically to both spans based on the larger effective span length; but only if the spans vary by less than the percentage specified.

Extend top longitudinal support bars by anchorage length

Adds anchorage lengths to the calculated extension lengths.

Min anchorage length {value} x dia

Allows you to control the minimum anchorage length as a multiple of bar diameter.

Min anchorage length of plain bars {value} x dia

Allows you to control the minimum anchorage length as a multiple of bar diameter when the rib type is plain.

Extend top span bars to end support

Extends the top span bars of the first and last spans to the end supports.

Use 'U' bars at end support if appropriate

Allows you to replace the top and bottom bars at the end support region with 'U' bars under certain conditions. The bars that are joined or merged to create the 'U' bars depend on the top and bottom patterns selected for the beam.

The anchorage lengths for the resulting 'U' bars are taken as the lengths required for the pair of bars that made the 'U' bar.

This setting has no effect when the supporting member is an in-plane wall, as in this case straight bars are always used in the beam end support region.

When the supporting member is a beam or column, typically, the top and bottom bars will be bent (bobbed) up or down in the beam end support region.

Select same bar size in support region and in the span

Allows you to use the same stirrup (link) bar size in the support and span regions.

Select symmetrical stirrup in support region

Allows you to use the same stirrup (link) arrangement (bar size and spacing) in both supports.

Longitudinal Bar Pattern

Allows you to select a pattern to be viewed and modified.

Longitudinal Default Pattern

Allows you to select the pattern that is applied to new beams when they are first created.

Allows you to define how the selected longitudinal bar pattern is applied to continuous spans and cantilever backspans. An interactive diagram updates to match the changes you make.

Region T₁, T₂, B₁, B₂ etc.

Bar lapping

(Bottom patterns only)

Allows you to define how the selected longitudinal bar pattern is applied to single spans. An interactive diagram is also displayed and updates to match the changes you make.

Region T₁, T₂, B₁, B₂ etc.

Region T₁, T₂, B₁, B₂

Normal

When considering shear, the design shear checks are performed in each of 3 regions S ₁ , S ₂, and S ₃ as shown below. In each region, the maximum vertical shear from all load combinations is determined and this maximum value used to determine the shear reinforcement required in that region.

• Region S1, Region S2, Region S3: The regions are defined as fixed proportions of the clear span of the beam. By defining the extent of the S₁ region, the other regions are determined automatically.
• Stirrup Type: Select either open or closed stirrups in the list.

Cantilever

In cantilevers, the design shear checks are performed in 2 regions S ₁ and S ₂ as shown below.

Minimum bar size

Sets the minimum allowable bar size that can be used in the design process.

Maximum bar size

Sets the maximum allowable bar size that can be used in the design process.

Minimum spacing

Sets the minimum allowable stirrup spacing that can be used in the design process.

Maximum spacing

Sets the maximum allowable stirrup spacing that can be used in the design process.

Spacing increment

The designed stirrup spacings are multiples of this value.

Maximum stirrup leg spacing across beam

Allows you to determine if single stirrups, double stirrups, or more are required, depending on the width of the beam.

Use single outside stirrup

Allows you to use a single outside link with additional links added as required (as per stirrup d shown dotted below).

Accept single leg internal stirrup

Allows the use of single leg internal links (as per stirrup c shown dotted below).

Optimize stirrup design regions where possible

In this case in the central region S₂, shear reinforcement is provided to meet the minimum of the code requirement or user preference whilst in regions S₁ and S₃, designed shear reinforcement is required.

The position and length of region S₂ is determined from considerations of the shear resistance of the concrete cross-section and this then enables the lengths of regions S₁ and S₃ to be determined.

Maximum Bond Quality Coefficient

A value used in the calculation of the ultimate bond stress from which the anchorage lengths are determined. The allowable range is 0.5 to 1.0.

Partial fixity coefficient, β

(β₁ for BS)

A coefficient applied to the maximum positive moment in the beam span (excluding support positions) to set a user-defined minimum design moment for beam support regions. Allowable range is 0.0 to 1.0. Default value is 0.25

Maximum nominal aggregate size

Allows you to specify a value for the calculation to determine the minimum clear horizontal distance between individual parallel bars.

Allowance for deviation

A value is used in the calculation to determine the limiting nominal concrete cover c_{nom, lim}. The full calculation is:

c_{nom, lim} = c_min + Δc_dev

Long term deflection period

Allowable range is 3 to 60 months. Default value is 60 months.

Time at which brittle finishes are introduced

Allowance range is 1 to 6 months. Default value is 1 month.

Design Beams for FE Chasedown analysis results

Allows you to specify that the beams are designed for the forces obtained from a previously performed FE chasedown analysis in addition to the forces obtained from the other analyses that have been performed.

Tolerance on rectilinearity

The calculation of the effective width is only carried out for concrete beams if they lie within the tolerance on rectilinearity set here. The default tolerance is 15 degrees. At greater angles you will be prompted to enter the effective width manually.

Tolerance on rectilinearity

The calculation of the effective width is only carried out for concrete beams if they lie within the tolerance on rectilinearity set here. The default tolerance is 15 degrees. At greater angles you will be prompted to enter the effective width manually.

Span to depth ratio

Simplified method

Design time since commencement of drying,

Final drying basic shrinkage strain,

Shrinkage strain cofficient

Country list

Allows you to specify the country used for the reinforcement information.

Vertical bars

Tie bars (Link bars) (Link bars)

Aspect ratio change point

Allows you to specify a value that determines which rectangular sections are considered to have a low aspect ratio and which are considered to have a high aspect ratio.

Use double ties (links) for low aspect ratio

Allows you to use double ties (links) where applicable instead of single ties for sections with a low aspect ratio.

Use double ties (links) for high aspect ratio

Allows you to use double ties (links) where applicable instead of single ties for sections with a high aspect ratio.

Use triple ties (links) for low aspect ratio

Allows you to use triple ties (links) where applicable instead of double or single ties for sections with a low aspect ratio.

Use cross ties (links) for low aspect ratio

Allows you to use cross ties (links) where applicable instead of triple, double or single ties (links) for sections with a low aspect ratio.

Cut length rounding increment

Allows you to specify a value to which cut lengths are rounded.

Kicker dimension

Allows you to specify the height of column kicker cast above the slab level.

Assumed foundation depth for starter bars

Allows you to control the length of starter bars at the base of the column in drawings.

Join identical bars where possible

Allows you to merge bars together only if the bar size and layout in the current and adjacent stack are identical and proving that the max bar length is not exceeded.

Number of span region ties (links) required to use separate regions

Allows you to specify the minimum number of span region ties (links) that are necessary for a span region to be indicated on the detail, and in consequence, standardize the spacing on the detail.

Provide ties (links) through full foundation depth

Allows you to draw ties (links) through the full depth of the foundation.

Foundation penetration depth of ties (links)

Allows you to specify the penetration depth of ties (links) into the foundation.

Provide ties (links) through floor depth for internal walls

For walls restrained by flat slabs: ties (links) are always provided through the floor depth irrespective of this setting.

For walls restrained by beam and slab: ties (links) are always provided through the beam depth for edge walls but are only provided for internal walls when the option is selected. When the option is cleared, they are provided up to the soffit of the shallowest beam depth.

Tie bar type (Link bar type)

Allows you to select the bar type that you want to use.

Bar sizes no smaller than stack above

Allows you to ensure that bar sizes do not reduce in lower stacks.

Match bar position to stack above

Allows you to have the starting arrangement for longitudinal bars match the arrangement of the bars in the stack above if the section geometry matches.

Increase main bar size preferentially

Allows you to have the corner bars increased in preference to the intermediate bars.

All bars start off at the same size (unless the initial bar size is driven by the current arrangement or the stack above), but when the check fails, the corner bars will be increased in size if all bar sizes are the same. Otherwise, the intermediate bars will be increased in size. This means that when the final design is produced, either all bars will be the same size or the corner bars will be one size larger than the intermediate bars.

Alternatively, if you require all bar sizes to be the same size, clear the option. This way, all bar sizes are increased together.

Maximum Bond Quality Coefficient

A value used in the calculation of the ultimate bond stress from which the anchorage lengths are determined. The allowable range is 0.5 to 1.0.

Maximum nominal aggregate size

Allows you to specify a value for the calculation to determine the minimum clear horizontal distance between individual parallel bars.

Allowance for deviation

A value is used in the calculation to determine the limiting nominal concrete cover c_{nom, lim}. The full calculation is:

c_{nom, lim} = c_min + Δc_dev

Design Columns for FE Chasedown analysis results

Allows you to specify that the columns are designed for the forces obtained from a previously performed FE chasedown analysis in addition to the forces obtained from the other analyses that have been performed.

Country list

Allows you to specify the country used for the reinforcement information.

Vertical bars

Vertical bars in end zone

Horizontal bars

Allows you to set the minimum allowable bar size that can be used in the design process of horizontal bars and the minimum allowable area of reinforcement as a ratio of the end zone area.

Tie (Link)/horizontal bars

Allows you to set the minimum and maximum allowable bar sizes that can be used in the bar design process and specify the value whose multiples the designed bar spacings are.

Tie (Link)/confinement bars

Allows you to set the minimum and maximum allowable bar sizes that can be used in the design process.

Confinement bars in end zone

Allows you to set the minimum and maximum allowable bar sizes that can be used in the design process.

Substitute loose bars if mesh inadequate

Allows you to use additional loose bars in the end zones when the mesh is inadequate.

Cut length rounding increment

Allows you to specify a value to which cut lengths are rounded.

Kicker dimension

Allows you to specify the height of column kicker cast above the slab level.

Assumed foundation depth for starter bars

Allows you to control the length of starter bars at the base of the wall in drawings.

Join identical bars where possible

Allows you to merge bars together only if the bar size and layout in the current and adjacent stack are identical and proving that the max bar length is not exceeded.

Number of span region ties (links) required to use separate regions

Allows you to specify the minimum number of span region ties (links) that are necessary for a span region to be indicated on the detail, and in consequence, standardize the spacing on the detail.

Provide ties (links) through full foundation depth

Allows you to draw ties (links) through the full depth of the foundation.

Foundation penetration depth of ties (links)

Allows you to specify the penetration depth of ties (links) into the foundation.

Provide ties (links) through floor depth for internal walls

For walls restrained by flat slabs: ties (links) are always provided through the floor depth irrespective of this setting.

For walls restrained by beam and slab: ties (links) are always provided through the beam depth for edge walls but are only provided for internal walls when the option is selected. When the option is cleared, they are provided up to the soffit of the shallowest beam depth.

Tie bar type (Link bar type)

Allow you to select the bar type that you want to use.

Tie bar type in end zones (Link bar type in end zones)

Bar sizes no smaller than stack above

Allows you to ensure that bar sizes do not reduce in lower stacks.

Maximum Bond Quality Coefficient

A value used in the calculation of the ultimate bond stress from which the anchorage lengths are determined. The allowable range is 0.5 to 1.0.

Maximum nominal aggregate size

Allows you to specify a value for the calculation to determine the minimum clear horizontal distance between individual parallel bars.

Allowance for deviation

A value is used in the calculation to determine the limiting nominal concrete cover c_{nom, lim}. The full calculation is:

c_{nom, lim} = c_min + Δc_dev

Design Walls for FE Chasedown analysis results

Allows you to specify that the walls are designed for the forces obtained from a previously performed FE chasedown analysis in addition to the forces obtained from the other analyses that have been performed.

Country list

Allows you to specify the country used for the reinforcement information.

Minimum loose bar size

Allows you to set the minimum allowable loose bar size that can be used in the design process.

Maximum loose bar size

Allows you to set the maximum allowable loose bar size that can be used in the design process.

Minimum clear spacing

Allows you to set the minimum allowable clear bar spacing that can be used in the design process.

Minimum spacing ( slab auto-design)

Allows you to set the minimum allowable clear bar spacing used in the slab item auto design process.

As the option only applies to slab items, it allows panel design to more readily select bars at a wider spacing, while allowing patch design to more readily pass by reducing minimum spacing check failures in the patches.

Maximum principal bar spacing

Allows you to set the maximum allowable principal bar spacing both as a distance and as a function of the slab depth.

Maximum secondary bar spacing

Allows you to set the maximum allowable secondary bar spacing that can be used in the design process both as a distance and as a function of the slab depth.

Bar spacing increment

Allows you to set a value whose multiples the bar spacings are.

Maximum bar length

Allows you to set the maximum length of a bar.

Bar length increment

Allows you to set a value whose multiples the bar lengths are.

Use mesh where possible

Select to use mesh where possible in bars.

Make bob for top steel of cantilevers

Allows you to apply a bob to the end of the top steel in cantilevers.

Auto selection of outer bars

Allows you to automatically select the bars in the outer layer.

Use mesh where possible

Select to use mesh where possible in patches.

Patch Size

Allows you to set the default patch size to be used.

Center strip width

Allows you to set the width of the center strip in beam patches.

Edge strip width as proportion of patch width

Allows you to control how the patch width is split between edge and center strips in column patches.

Maximum Bond Quality Coefficient

A value used in the calculation of the ultimate bond stress from which the anchorage lengths are determined. The allowable range is 0.5 to 1.0.

Maximum nominal aggregate size

Allows you to specify a value for the calculation to determine the minimum clear horizontal distance between individual parallel bars.

Allowance for deviation

A value is used in the calculation to determine the limiting nominal concrete cover c_{nom, lim}. The full calculation is:

c_{nom, lim} = c_min + Δc_dev

Allowance for additional detailing bars

Allows you to specify a percentage by which the total mass of bars for slabs or mats shown in material listing reports and in slab or mat detailing drawings is increased.

Country list

Allows you to specify the country used for the reinforcement information.

Minimum loose bar size

Allows you to set the minimum allowable loose bar size that can be used in the design process.

Maximum loose bar size

Allows you to set the maximum allowable loose bar size that can be used in the design process.

Minimum clear spacing

Allows you to set the minimum allowable clear bar spacing that can be used in the design process.

Maximum principal bar spacing

Allows you to set the maximum allowable principal bar spacing both as a distance and as a function of the slab depth.

Maximum secondary bar spacing

Allows you to set the maximum allowable secondary bar spacing that can be used in the design process both as a distance and as a function of the slab depth.

Bar spacing increment

Allows you to set a value whose multiples the bar spacings are.

Use mesh where possible

Select to use mesh where possible in bars.

Minimum depth

Allows you to set the minimum allowable foundation depth.

Maximum depth

Allows you to set the maximum allowable foundation depth.

Auto-design depth increment

Allows you to set the depth increment.

Minimum side length

Allows you to set the minimum allowable side length.

Maximum side length / strip width

Allows you to set the maximum side length under columns as a distance.

Maximum side length ratio under columns

Allows you to set the maximum side length ratio under columns.

Rounding increment for footing dimensions

Allows you to specify a value to which the overall footing size is rounded.

Default 3-pile cap shape

Allows you to define whether the default shape is triangular or rectangular when 3 piles are used.

Maximum Bond Quality Coefficient

Maximum nominal aggregate size

Allows you to specify a value for the calculation to determine the minimum clear horizontal distance between individual parallel bars.

Allowance for deviation

A value is used in the calculation to determine the limiting nominal concrete cover c_{nom, lim}. The full calculation is:

c_{nom, lim} = c_min + Δc_dev

This allows you to control whether the passive resistance of the soil is included in the sliding check, (in addition to the sliding resistance due to friction).

Ignorable percentage of passive pressure

This allows you to ignore small shear forces at pinned bases. The default of 1% is typically a negligible load level which would commonly be ignored. If you do not want to ignore any shear forces, set the value to zero.

For further details, see: Ignoring small shear forces in pad base design checks

Maximum Bond Quality Coefficient

Maximum nominal aggregate size

Allows you to specify a value for the calculation to determine the minimum clear horizontal distance between individual parallel bars.

Allowance for deviation

A value is used in the calculation to determine the limiting nominal concrete cover c_{nom, lim}. The full calculation is:

c_{nom, lim} = c_min + Δc_dev

Tolerance for pile position variation

Allows you to specify the allowable deviation value of the pile position from its original plan position. The value is used in the design moment calculations.

Minimum number of piles for pile caps under columns

Minimum and maximum numbers of piles that apply when a pile cap under a column has been set to auto design the piles.

Maximum number of piles for pile caps under columns

Minimum spacing option list

Allows you to select whether the minimum spacing check uses a set minimum spacing value or a multiple of the pile width or pile circumference.

Minimum spacing of piles

Allows you to set the minimum spacing value that you can select in the Minimum spacing option list.

Minimum pile edge distance

Allows you to set the minimum distance from the pile face to edge of foundation.

Pile auto-design method list

Allows you to select to use the smallest number of high capacity piles or more piles of lowest capacity when a pile cap has been set to auto design.

When selected, allows you to specify a maximum critical section size as a multiple of the pile dimension.

Use pile capacity for pile punching and shear checks

When selected, allows you to use pile capacity for pile punching and punching shear checks.

When unselected, the pile load is used.

When selected, a pile lateral capacity check is performed.

Country list

Allows you to specify the country used for the reinforcement information.

Minimum loose bar size

Allows you to set the minimum allowable loose bar size that can be used in the design process.

Maximum loose bar size

Allows you to set the maximum allowable loose bar size that can be used in the design process.

Minimum clear spacing

Allows you to set the minimum allowable clear bar spacing that can be used in the design process.

Minimum spacing ( slab auto-design)

Allows you to set the minimum allowable clear bar spacing used in the panel auto design process.

As the option only applies to slab items, it allows panel design to more readily select bars at a wider spacing, while allowing patch design to more readily pass by reducing minimum spacing check failures in the patches.

Maximum principal bar spacing

Allows you to set the maximum allowable principal bar spacing both as a distance and as a function of the slab depth.

Maximum secondary bar spacing

Allows you to set the maximum allowable secondary bar spacing that can be used in the design process both as a distance and as a function of the slab depth.

Bar spacing increment

Allows you to set a value whose multiples the bar spacings are.

Maximum bar length

Allows you to set the maximum length of bar.

Bar length increment

Allows you to set a value whose multiples the bar lengths are.

Auto selection of outer bars

Allows you to automatically select the bars in the outer layer.

Use mesh where possible

Select to use mesh where possible in bars.

Use mesh where possible

Select to use mesh where possible in patches.

Patch Size

Allows you to set the default patch size to be used.

Center strip width

Allows you to set the width of the center strip in beam patches.

Edge strip width as proportion of patch width

Allows you to control how the patch width is split between edge and center strips in column patches.

Maximum Bond Quality Coefficient

Allows you to specify a value used in the calculation of the ultimate bond stress from which the anchorage lengths are determined. The allowable range is 0.5 to 1.0.

Maximum nominal aggregate size

Allows you to specify a value for the calculation to determine the minimum clear horizontal distance between individual parallel bars.

Allowance for deviation

Allows you to specify a value is used in the calculation to determine the limiting nominal concrete cover c_{nom, lim}. The full calculation is:

c_{nom, lim} = c_min + Δc_dev

Use pile capacity for punching check

When selected, allows you to use pile capacity for the pile punching check.

When unselected, the pile load is used.

When selected, a pile lateral capacity check is performed.