Flexural reinforcement (beams seismic: ACI 318)

Longitudinal reinforcement at the top and bottom faces of a beam in any Moment Resisting Frame are required to have at least two continuous steel bars along the span for structural integrity and constructability purposes.

Anchorage

Longitudinal reinforcement terminated at a column in beams that are part of Special Moment Frames shall be anchored within the element confined core for a length measured from the critical section at the element's face.

Tekla Structural Designer performs the calculation steps for the required development length at the supports of bars in tension for both the case where straight bars are used and where hooks are provided.

Lap Splices

Specific seismic requirements apply only to lap splices in flexural members that are part of Special Moment Frames.

For beams that are part of Special Moment Frames lap splices are not allowed to be located:

Within joints or within a distance of twice the members depth from the face of a joint
Within regions where flexural yielding is likely to occur.

Note: The latter requirement to avoid lap splices in regions where flexural yielding is likely to occur is beyond scope in the current release of Tekla Structural Designer