COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM SECTIONS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a computer program that can be used for analysis and design of a reinforced concrete beam sections based on the new Ethiopian building code, and also that can optimize double reinforced rectangular beam section. The computer program is developed in MATLAB programming language and graphical user interface is incorporated in the program by following procedures reuired for design problem by satisfying design criteria set by the code (ES EN 1992-1-1:2015). The program incorporate simple interface for section analysis and design of reinforced concrete rectangular, T or inverted L and trapezoidal beams for flexure and rectangular beam with vertical and inclined stirrup for shear, torsion and combined effect of shear with torsion that will help the designers to save time, minmize effort and avoid calculation error that commonly occur. A graphical user interface developed for flexure is programed for a particular beam cross-section dimensions and material properties satisfiying stress-strain compatibility and equilibrium on the basis of rectangular-parapolic stress distibuiton for rectangular beam and on the basis of equivalent rectangular stress distribution for T or inverted L and trapezoidal beam section. Finally, the moment resistance (MRd) and area of reinforcement required to resist a design moment are determined. The two graphical user interface; for shear programmed based on truss model and for torsion programmed by considering beam as equivalent thin-walled sections. Using this interface design shear resistance of concrete (VRd,c), design shear resistance (VRd), design torsion resistance of concrete (TRd,c) and design torsion resistance (TRd) for rectangular reinforced concrete beam section with vertical or inclined stirrup is determined. Using graphical user interface combined effect of shear with torsion is also checked for rectangular beam with vertical and inclined stirrup. Dimensions of beam cross section, area of reinforcement, size of stirrup and spacing of stirrup are selected by satisfying design criteria for shear, torsion and combined effect respectively. Finally, application of the user interface is demonstrated with example for analysis and design of reinforced concrete beam section for flexure, shear, torsion and combined effect of shear with torsion