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SOFiSTiK 2016
AQB
Design of Cross Sections
SOFiSTiK AG
The manual and the program have been thoroughly checked for errors. However, SOFiSTiK
does not claim that either one is completely error free. Errors and omissions are corrected as
soon as they are detected.
The user of the program is solely responsible for the applications. We strongly encourage the
user to test the correctness of all calculations at least by random sampling.
Front Cover
Project: MILANEO, Stuttgart, Germany | Client: Bayerische Hausbau and ECE | Architect: RKW Rhode Kellermann Wawrowsky
| Structural Engineering for Bayerische Hausbau: Boll und Partner | Photo: Dirk Mnzner
Contents | AQB
Contents
Contents i
SOFiSTiK 2016 i
AQB | Contents
ii SOFiSTiK 2016
Contents | AQB
iv SOFiSTiK 2016
Task Description | AQB
1 Task Description
AQB is used for stress analysis and design of cross sections created with AQUA.
The enhanced version AQBS allows the consideration of the special features of
prestressed concrete and composite structures (prestressing tendons, imposed
secondary stresses, creep and shrinkage). This manual is valid for both ver-
sions. The optional features which are operative only in AQBS are identified.
The forces and the prestressing tendons can be defined directly or be imported
from the database for beam, truss or cable elements. A whole series of design
tasks can be carried out with the selected forces. These are:
The functions for design and stiffness determination are also integrated into
STAR2 in a simplified form. For this reason, tasks (3) and (4) can be also carried
out directly with STAR2. This makes it possible to do a static design taking the
material behaviour into account. When this procedure is used, however, only
one design mode is possible for the entire structure. If columns and girders
are to be designed with different parameters, one can make an iteration using
the modules STAR2 and AQB by means of the command procedure PS (see
general manual SOFiSTiK: FEA / STRUCTURAL Installation and Basics).
- Generally only uniaxial bending but for circular sections along the main bend-
ing direction (piles)
- Stress checks for all cross sections
- Elastic-plastic analyses (STRE E) for rectangular, circular sections and struc-
tural steel shapes
- Uniaxial reinforced concrete design for rectangles and T-beams and for cir-
cular/annular sections.
2 Theoretical Principles
S
M
For design purposes, the internal forces and moments are normally modified as
follows.
The longitudinal and transverse forces are converted to axial and shear forces.
The torsional moment is dismantled in a Saint-Venant part and a secondary part
from warping torsion.
Within the defined support boundary, moments are smoothed under the as-
sumption of a uniform surface pressure (parabolic). The smoothing is done for
each side of the beam, and the shear force at the end of the beam is set to zero.
If the cross section is located within a haunch, the shear stress distribution will
change considerably, however the practical design rules will account for that by
changing the shear force in accordance with the following formula:
M
V = V (tn tn b ) (2.1)
D
For D other values like the lever arm of the inner forces are possible. As the
effect may be favourable or unfavourable, it might be difficult to choose correct
values. However, the user may limit the size of the inclinations. If the cross
section is in a bend the mean values of the inclinations are used.
If a representative shear section or a face has been defined for the beam, the
shear forces inside the support region are assumed to be decreasing linearly
towards the beginning or the end of the beam. No calculation will take place of
the possibly required suspension reinforcement.
V = Vm (2.2)
The increase of the internal forces and moments of thin cross sections accord-
ing to DIN 1045 17.2.1. (6) is carried out only for My and N and only for SREC
and SCIR cross sections.
itself allows for 30 construction-stages per cross section (e.g. gross, net, ideal).
Each load case can be assigned one of these sections. This yields up to 31
different stress distributions for the cross section.
For stress analysis, the contributions of all cross section elements with the same
material number are combined into one common stress level. Through integra-
tion, one obtains the so-called partial internal forces and moments which refer
to the partial cross section. As partial cross section is understood here the total
gross area of all cross section elements with common material number. Since
the cross section may also contain reductional areas of prestressing tendons,
these partial internal forces and moments are not values in equilibrium, but aux-
iliary values to describe the stress state in the cross section.
Different stress distributions arise in the various parts of the cross section, due to
the progress of construction or to creep and shrinkage. These too are compiled
into internal forces and moments, they are designated as secondary internal
forces and moments, and they are taken into consideration in stress analysis.
By cross sections with ineffective parts, AQUA stores the static properties of the
effective as well as of the total cross section. STAR2 and AQB use the effective
cross section properties, yet employing the area of the total cross section, not
only for evaluating the dead weight correctly, but also to account for the common
case in which the sole axial force comes from prestressing.
If other load cases with substantial axial force come along, it may become nec-
essary to switch over to the effective areas, or to assign a different material
number to the ineffective parts.
The edge stresses (extreme values for bending about the principal axes) and
The shear stresses are determined from the unit shear stresses calculated in
AQUA. Using the normal and the shear stresses and taking into consideration
the lateral stresses y and z , one can calculate the principal stresses and the
von Mises stresses:
= 0.5( + y ) + 0.25( y )2 + 2 (2.4)
= 0.5( + y 0.25( y )2 + 2 (2.5)
= 2 + 3 2 (2.6)
For an accurate check, one must analyse the entire cross section with its real
geometry and all particular points, because the location of the most adverse
combination is not known a priori, especially in case of general cross sections.
AQB though examines the stresses at a few selected points (shear sections,
stress points and selected polygon points). The user should take care of mean-
ingful selections!
1. The given internal forces and moments are transformed from the gravity
centre of the gross section to that of the construction stage cross section.
NCS = Nb (2.7)
2. The strain level of the total cross section (Bernoulli hypothesis) derives from
these internal forces and moments and the corresponding static properties
of the cross section. These values are used for computing the stress incre-
ment in the prestressing tendons.
MyCS
Myt = yt (2.11)
yCS
MzCS
Mzt = zt (2.12)
zCS
4. These partial internal forces and moments are added together for all con-
struction stages sections and possible secondary stresses.
5. The shear forces and torsional moments are increased proportionally to
ACS /At , since a more precise distribution is extremely complicated.
Check of the slenderness ratio c/t for steel plates according to the section
classes 2 or 3 of EN 1993 or other design codes
Reduction of the axial force components by DIN 1052 The combined check
for axial force and bending moment components is carried out by reduction
of the axial force components and check of the allowable stress for bending.
In analog mode the check of the torsion occurs at the edge with correspond-
ingly raised shear stresses from shear force.
Differentiation between compression zone and pre-compressed tension
zone.
Reduction of the prestress components in the pre-compressed compression
zone in accordance with DIN 4227 Sec. 15.3.
Shear design under ultimate loads in accordance with Zone a, DIN 4227
Check for the decompression limit state (e.g. according to EC 2, DIN 1045-1)
Here it is verified that the concrete cross section has only compressive stress
at the edge of the precompressed tension zone due to prestress for the de-
terminant action combination.
The decompression check is done with the input SPAN E STYP VH. The
input STYP VH sets here the permissible tensile stressesin the concrete to
0.00. The check is filled, if the resistance factors are kept ( 1.0) table:
Maximum Degree of Utilization.
AQB determines the check edge from the centre of gravity of all tendons. In
the case of upper and lower tendons the check has to be done graphically.
The stresses which are determinant for the decompression check can be
checked graphically with the WING input BEAM TYPE DECO or in WinGRAF
with Design Stress of the material Decompression stress.
Sections of class 1
are suitable for plastic hinges and a non-linear analysis with distributed yield
areas (Analysis option NSTR) and a detailed interaction of shear and normal
stress.
Sections of class 2
have limited deformation capacities. The analysis may be done according to
linear theory but the design may be done up to ultimate plastic limits.
Sections of class 3a
have no allowance for yielding, i.e. the linear stresses are limited. Thus
analysis and design are according linear theory.
Sections of class 3b
are formal in class 4 but due to small stresses these sections may be treated
as in class 3.
Sections of class 4
due to buckling of the plates, some parts of the section have to be treated as
not effective for normal stress, which has to be accounted for either during
the definition of the section or will be taken into account automatically within
a nonlinear analysis.
The separation between the classes is rule by a width-to-thickness ratio c/t, de-
fined in tables of the design codes. As the section class is not only depending
on the stresses but also on the material strength, it is of little use to specify a
single class for a complete section, and such a specification or evaluation of a
section class in AQUA is not provided.
The design in AQB reverts the viewing direction of the design to the consistent
way and has considerable advantages for the checking and especially for the
utilisation factors during planning. AQB does not check that all sections are in
class X, but it computes that the utilisation of the critical limit of c/t is less than the
stress dependent required limit value. This allows also to use slender elements
within a plastic design or nonlinear analysis, if the stresses at these elements
are sufficiently small.
Level
NSTR
STRE E
STRE C
1.0
c/t-lim
(1) (2) (3) (4a) (4b) (SCL)
The check within AQB is done with the following possible variants:
Design for stresses only, checking the c/t ratio according to sectional class
1+2+3+4a and low utilisation of sections of class 4a (STRE E F)
Design for stresses for section class 3, and if the section is classified in 1 or
2 a design for sectional capacities with interactions according to Eurocode.
(STRE C)
Non linear design with hardening effects for sections of class 1 and 2.
(NSTR)
Design for stresses for sections of class 1-4 with a nonlinear analysis, where
the non effective parts of the plates in class 4 are deactivated automati-
cally.(NSTR)
For the design of sections of class 4 there are thus several possibilities:
For small stresses load cases not relevant for stability may use increased
Due to the shortening of the c-values in AQUA by the NEFF definitions those
sections are now classified as sections of class 1 to 3. Thus we encounter the
question if those reduced effective sections may include yielding. EN 1993-1-1
describes in Chapter 6.2.1 (4) how to perform an elastic stress check based on
effective sectional values. But then we have several hints:
Chapter 6.2.9.3 (1) requires only, that the stress should not exceed the yield
stress.
Chapter 6.2.9.3 (2) defines a simplified check based on the interaction with
the elastic sectional moduli We .
Chapter 6.2.2.4 describes how a section with a web in class 3 may be con-
verted to class 2 with the introduction of non effective areas.
As a nonlinear analysis including yield especially for the tensile parts but without
hardening does not exceed the yield stress, this method is within the require-
ments of the first bullet. Chapter 4.6 on EN 1993-1-5 describes the simplified
check according to 6.2.9.3 (2) as general rule, but it says also in chapter 4.2.
(2): "Effective areas should be determined on the basis of the linear strain dis-
tributions with the attainment of yield strain in the mid of the compression plate."
the utilisation of a combined action may be lower than that of the largest
component
with half of the ultimate loading the utilisation value may be anything below
1.0, e.g. 0.25 or 0.75 for a quadratic expression
Utilisations larger than 1.0 cannot be treated at all in many equations
AQB provides thus five types of interaction, the user may select. All interaction
formulas try to calculate a utilisation level which is as close as possible linear,
i.e. giving an indication for the possible load factor. For an utilisation level of 1.0
the utilisation of the yield stress by the elastic stresses (STRE E):
This is the square root of the yield criterion of all effects according EN 1993-
1-1 6.2.1 (5), Eq.6.1.
the summation of all individual utilisation levels (STRE B):
This is equivalent to EN 1993-1-1 6.2.1 (7), Eq.6.2, however the contributions
of transverse shear and torsion will be added separately and not included in
the utilisation of the moments.
the interaction according the consecutive equations of the Eurocode (STRE
C):
The shear force will be included in the utilisation of the moments, but the
axial force and the torsion will be added separately.
an evaluation of a plastic interaction (NSTR KSV PLD):
This method is not yet suitable for an iteration, but will only provide one point
on the interaction surface.
a non linear analysis (NSTR KSV ULD):
This method does not only include finite strains and a flow rule, but accounts
also for hardening effects, which is allowed according EN 1993-1-5 Appendix
C.6.
Torsion is treated in EN 1993-1-1 6.2.7 in a very simplified way and not use-
able for cranes for example. Thus the given reductions of the shear bear-
ing capacity of equations 6.25 to 6.28 are not generally applicable. While
a plastic deformation will reduce the effects of warping torsion, this is not
accounted for in the utilisation. For a nonlinear analysis, there will be no iter-
ation for equilibrium, but the warping deformation is accounted for in the flow
rule. Primary and secondary torsion as well as the warping moments will be
added by their three contributions:
Tt,Ed T,Ed Mb,Ed
= (N, Vy , Vz , My , Mz ) + + + (2.13)
Tt,Rd T,Rd Mb,Rd
If V/Vrd > 0.5, the plastic moments and normal forces will be reduced by
the general factor of equation 6.29 / 6.45 in both directions derived from the
utilisation of the shear force. The reduction of the normal force is obtained
from the remaining available sectional area. As the provision of EN 1993-1-
1 in equation 6.38 for the web areas is not applicable in general, does not
match the equation 6.18 (3) and the transverse shear of columns is of minor
Nred = Np (1 ) (2.16)
The utilisation is not taken less than those of the included shear force.
Then the interaction between normal force and bending moment is estab-
lished. The equations 6.36/6.38 are used in a linearized form avoiding very
small or even negative utilisation factors:
M M
= (1 0.5)/ (1 n) < 1 (2.17)
Mn Mred
M N
(1 0.5) + < 1 (2.18)
Mred Np
M (1 )2 N
+ < 1 (2.20)
Mred (n + 1 2) Np
In the last step the bi-axial bending will be considered via an interaction
based on variable exponents and (given for rectangular solid or hollow,
tubes or double T-shapes). Similar to the rules above the formula is slightly
rewritten:
My Mz N Mb,Ed
(1)
(1 n) + (1 n)(1) + + < 1 (2.22)
My,red Mz,red Np Mb,Rd
But as this utilisation factor is not taken larger than the value of the linear
According to DIN 18800 (755) and OEN 4300 it is required to limit the plastic
moments to the 1.25-time value of the elastic limiting moments. This will be ac-
counted for automatically if these design codes have been selected. If the user
does not want to become this effective (continuous beam with constant section,
without buckling or second order theory) he may either choose a different design
code or by assigning the buckling curve 0 to those sections.
The utilisation of the sectional class is obtained in AQB as follows: For very low
stresses, the extended limit value for section class 4 is applicable, which is quite
large, thus the utilisation level is low. With increasing stresses the limit value
becomes smaller and when the yield stress is reached, the limit is on the value
for section class 3 (blue line in Fig. 2.2). Beyond that the geometric utilisation
ratios are applicable, i.e. the utilisation ratio for section class 3 will raise with
a jump to a value above 1.0 (Fig. 2.3). Then NSTR has to be used analyze a
section with non effective parts.
Level
SCL 3
1.0 SCL 2
SCL 1
s
fy
The design for stability can be done in either of two ways. The most common
checks are done based on a single representative beam. The problem which
persists is the determination of the buckling length. The other way is to perform
a global analysis using second order theory and suitable imperfections. This is
the general target of SOFiSTiK-Software. However there are two exceptions to
this general concept:
The design for axially compressed beams in accordance with DIN 18800 Part 2
/ EN 1993 is also included under the stress design in AQB, since it is normally
used for lateral buckling perpendicular to the plane of the structure and for single
truss braces. This requires however the explicit definition of the buckling length
coefficient.
N
= 1 (2.23)
( Nps )
The design for the lateral torsional buckling is only possible based on a repre-
sentative beam and is performed by a separate software module BDK.
Eurocode EN 1999 uses in chapter 6.2.1 a unified design check based on ad-
missible stresses and a national dependent combination constant C, increasing
the admissible yield stress. This is comparable to a sectional check for sections
of class 3 or 4 ( = 1.0). The shape factor , which is described with great
details can be defined as plastic moments in AQUA so far.
Shrinkage
Creep
Relaxation of tendons
non-uniform temperature
induced stresses from construction stages
All effects have to be dealed as a first step at the section itself, which is still
a complex task. The values needed are the acting stresses, the age of the
concrete, the humidity, the temperature, the class of cement etc. etc. Results
are strains and stresses for the section.
The deformations (strain and curvature loads) will yield in a second step the
forces if the structure is constrained (statically indeterminate), which change
the acting stress. If this effect is considerable, the user has to subdivide the
total analysis in several creep intervals. If the number of steps is increased the
results will converge to the exact solution, however depending on the quality of
the input parameters of course.
For very simple cases of single sections it might be sufficient to reduce the acting
force by the same factor which is given by the loss of prestress.
The results are stores as load cases. Analyses can therefore be carried out with
up to 999 intervals.
There are some design code variants implemented. The selection is in general
by the defined material. The most important general solutions are selectable
explicitly via CTRL EIGE. To allow the precise control the class of cement has
to be specified with the concrete material. (S = Slow, N = Normal, R = Rapid
hardening) (See also input Record EIGE)
the second case creep and shrinkage coefficients ant the time function will also
change. For the latter case formulas are given in the Model Code 2010. In all
other cases, the effective age is calculated including the temperature, but the
user has to provide explicit values for the correct coefficients.
2.4.1 Shrinkage
Shrinkage is the decrease in volume of concrete caused by the drying pro-
cess. Without reinforcement and outer constraints the stresses induced are
caused from the different speed on the outside and interior of thick construc-
tions. Reinforcement will hamper the deformation and thus create additional
tensile stresses. More reinforcement will create more stress.
While the creep effects start with the loading, the shrinkage will start from the
beginning and the drying with the end of the curing. The characteristic thickness
is defined in AQUA either explicitly or via the expression 2A/U. The factor 0.85
has been defined only for the Eurocode, not with the MC 2010. The Eurocode
defines also that there is no drying if the humidity is 100 %.
The value of the total shrinkage is given in tables or maps in the respective
design codes (e.g. DIN 4227 Table 7 for the matrix of dry / wet against thick
/ thin). Some provide also time dependent coefficients (e.g. Pict. 3 in DIN
4227), but very often the time function for creep and shrinkage is assumed to be
equal.
2.4.2 Creep
The creep deformation has the principal form of:
b
= t (2.26)
Eb
The definition of is always related to the value of the elasticity modulus. While
most analyses refer to the standard secant modulus (e.g. DIN 4227 Table 6), EN
1992 and DIN 1045-1 refer to the tangent value after 28 days. AQB will factorize
therefore the creep coefficients to match the given Eb reference.
For concrete the creep coefficient is always for compressive stresses. There
is little information about the behaviour for tensile stresses. AQB will reduce
the creep coefficient depending on the tensile stress at the centre of the partial
section.
Creep has not only permanent but also reversible components. The total defo-
mation thus may be split in two contributions, where the latter are called delayed
elastic deformations. In case of changes of the loading we will always have then
three contributions:
k1
X
k = ,k + 0.4 k (t tk ) 0.4 k (t tt1 ) k (t t ) (2.27)
=1
If a particular load acts in the first interval, the effects up to the end of the
interval are calculated in terms of a plastic yield part and an elastic time-delayed
part (curves 1 and 2). While the plastic part is transferred unchanged to all
subsequent creep stages, the delayed elastic portion gets rebuilt. The currently
operative total load acts then in the second interval with the appropriate new
creep coefficients.
All coefficients are automatically determined form the given environment condi-
tions and time and effective thickness . The plastic yield may be also specified
e1f
P e1v t
e2f t
t
t
e2v
by the user explicitly. The delayed elastic part is always applied by the pro-
gram according to specification of the effective concrete age (See explanations
to record STRE).
With EN 1992 appendix B resp. DIN 1045-1 (Heft 525) and the CEB Model code
this approach has been abandoned in favour to the older concept of a product
formulation. But all values may be calculated now in a closed form. With the
"boxed values" c0 , c1 and c2 we have:
t = 0 c (t, t0 )
0 = c1 RH (cm ) (t0 )
1 RH/ 100
RH = 1 + 1 2
0.10 3 h0
p
16.8
(cm ) = p (EC2)
cm (2.28)
1
(t0 ) =
0.1 + t00.20
c0 =0.3
t t0
c (t, t0 ) =
c2 H + t t0
H = 1.5 1 + (0.012RH)18 h0 + 2503 1500
These factors are valid for stresses up to 0.45 fck resp. 0.40 fcm . For higher
stresses the CEB-Model-Code and Eurocode 2 part 1-3 specify a correction of
For the summation approach the superposition is valid. Thus you may freely
select between:
For the product approach the consideration of different phases is only possible
by calculating increments of stresses. This leads to a similar formula but with
much larger values for the reversible part.
b0 b1
= 0 + 1
Eb Eb
b0
0 = 0 (t0 , t1 )
Eb
b0
b1 b0
(2.30)
1 = 0 (t1 , t2 ) + 1 (t1 , t2 )
Eb Eb Eb
b1 b0
= 1 (t1 , t2 ) + [ 0 (t1 , t2 ) 1 (t1 , t2 )]
Eb Eb
No effects for stress values less than 0.55 fpk will be assumed.
The second factor is then derived from the time. The user may specify this factor
explicitly or evaluate according to two variants:
As EN 1992 has now the same values as the CEB model code, the second
variant will be only applied for explicit EC-Materials and a design code release
year < 2000. The french BPEL 91 provides in Appendix 2 a rather complex
formula for the direct evaluation of the relaxation loss dependant on the 0.70
fpk-value, the stress and the time.
z = Ez Re (2.31)
Eb b s Eb
b = (2.32)
1 + 1 +
= 0 + y y + z z (2.33)
The magnitude of the strains derives from the condition that the sum of the
axial forces and moments of the all cross section elements must be zero in
statically determinate structures. The system of equations with three unknowns
is solved, yielding the secondary internal forces and moments of the individual
partial cross sections.
Results of this check are the secondary stresses of all tendons and all cross
section parts, which are stored in the database and taken into account in sub-
sequent stress or internal force calculations for statically indeterminate struc-
tures. These secondary stresses are not saved as normal internal forces and
moments, since in composite cross sections there are values present for each
material, which cannot be addressed as such. The total resulting secondary
stresses are also calculated; these are zero for regular composite cross sec-
tions. For prestressed concrete sections, however, there is a resulting value
which is added in the printout of the internal forces and moments and in all cal-
culations under cracked condition. The secondary stresses for each material
are considered separately in calculations under uncracked condition. The sum
of the secondary stresses is then no longer included in the determination of the
stresses.
In simple cases of analysis of one section only, one can create directly, using
the input CTRL EIGE 4, a record of statically indeterminate forces and moments
which are calculated with the same proportion as the statically determinate com-
ponents.
For the analysis of a total structure however one has to use the more general
CTRL EIGE 1 to store the resulting curvatures as loads in the database and
compute the statically indeterminate components with a run of STAR2/ASE.
Since this is a creep with initial stresses (Euler method) several creep stages
are usually needed for obtaining correct results. One must also make certain
that there are enough segments within the beam.
The same method can be used, for instance, to consider secondary stress states
resulting from the completion of a cross section, or from secondary temperature
stresses.
The prestressing of the tendons is used with their values after creep and shrink-
age taking into consideration the decompression due to the internal forces and
moments on the reduced net cross section. The initial strain is determined by
the actual values of the internal forces and moments, and then multiplied as a
M Minimum reinforcement
The layer is always inserted with at least the defined magnitude. Minimum
reinforcement in the compression zone however is applied only when a cor-
responding tension reinforcement is also present. If the minimum reinforce-
ment should not be increased, the maximum reinforcement must be set
equal to the minimum reinforcement.
Z Supplementary reinforcement
Layers of this type are optional. The layers are equivalent in ranking; the
number serves only for identification. The value of the reinforcement area
is only to specify the reinforcement ratio between the individual positions,
and it is not a specification of minimum reinforcement. If supplementary
reinforcements are not permitted to exceed a certain value, an appropriate
maximum value must be input.
S Sequential layers
This type of layer serves to control the sequential filling of the reinforcement
layers known from older programs. When a maximum value is reached, the
next higher layer number is addressed. The reinforcement of layer 0 can be
defined as minimum reinforcement with layer type M; all other layers must be
of type S and have no minimum reinforcement.
Reinforcement with the same layer number is always increased by the same fac-
tor. The maximum factor is given by the first reaching of the maximum reinforce-
ment in the layer. The minimum factor is 0.0 for layers (S,Z) and 1.0 for minimum
reinforcement layers (M). Maximum values may be ignored in the determination
of the minimum reinforcement of the statically required cross section.
For this reason, problems with more than one reinforcement layers do not
always have one unambiguous solution. Even with all the possible addi-
tional conditions (3), one can find a unique solution for a maximum of 4 to
6 layers, depending on the strain range.
The procedure runs in two steps. The limit strain state is iterated in the outer loop
by the BFGS method, similarly to what was described in the previous section.
Even with these limiting conditions, the problem can still be ambiguous. If, for
instance, several layers could function as tension reinforcement, the distribution
of the reinforcement would be based on the defined base values of the steel
areas. Since this is generally not desired, the program uses additionally the
distance of the reinforcement from the neutral axis and the moment of inertia
with respect to the neutral axis. A supplementary condition is formulated for that
purpose, which prefers reinforcement which is located farther outwards. If two
layers are at the same distance, they are treated in the same manner. If the
distance of a layer is zero, it is given no consideration whatsoever. Interpolation
is used between these two extreme situations. Thus, a layer which is half as
far out as another can only increase up to about one half the value of the outer
layer.
If the centre of some layer is at the outer extreme, only the distance of the cen-
tre is considered; if all of the layers have zero centre distances, only the radii of
p
inertia ( / A) are considered. This condition too is interpolated linearly between
the extreme values. Furthermore, the farther outward the reinforcement is posi-
tioned in the cross section, the more stringent the entire condition is formulated.
This supplementary condition does not affect the area of the reinforcement, but
rather the factors of increase. Therefore, any change in the AS-values defined
in AQUA will have a certain influence on the reinforcement distribution.
The procedure of activating the layer numbers in sequence, which was custom-
ary in older programs, can not handle changing loads. In special cases, such as
multilayer peripheral reinforcement or additional densifications, this method can
be applied by defining sequential layer numbers in AQUA.
In such case, each layer is considered individually. Layer i is laid only after layer
i-1 has reached its maximum value. If a layer is not needed (e.g. compression
reinforcement), it can be passed over.
Beside the information from the cross section program on the distribution of re-
inforcement, there are other parameters, especially the minimum reinforcement
ratios, which are controlled with the record DESI.
One constructional reinforcement value can be prescribed for each type. This is
an important option in stability studies. The minimum reinforcement of the stati-
cally required cross section can also be considered for compression members.
These minimum reinforcement values hold equally for all cross sections of an
analysis run and they are input as percentages of the cross sectional area.
As minimum reinforcement is used the one layer, in case there is only one, or
the minimum reinforcement layer, in case there are many, or the supplements in
cases of cross sections with supplements only. Any entered maximum values of
layers are ignored in this case. If multiple layers are involved, the criteria of the
previous section for the selection of the layers are used. Outer reinforcement is
thus given preference.
When the relative strength has been obtained, each layer is reduced by the
same isotropic factor. If the minimum reinforcement were attained exclusively
by means of a layer laying on one side only, at reduction by this method the
minimum reinforcement ratio is not reached under circumstances. An alterna-
tive method which admits priority to the absolute steel area can lead to serious
underdesign and is therefore unavailable.
Clearly comprehensible results are obtained when only one layer with minimum
reinforcement = maximum reinforcement is defined, with usable distribution and
relatively small total quantity of steel, and all supplements lie on separate lay-
ers. The program changes then the minimum reinforcement onto the necessary
value.
If nothing else is defined AQB will just check the strain and print an error
message if its value exceeds the limit of the stress-strain-law.
For critical cases, if the last sentence of this paragraph is needed, which
imposes the pure web with the total maximum strains as an lower limit to the
ultimate load, one has either to deactivate the plates via the CS-mechanism
or define them with a special material without the rectangular block in the
stress-strain-law.
2.6.5 Tendons
In general the tendons are fixed. It is only the subdivision of the stress into a
provided part and those parts induced by a strain increment which max become
relevant for some design tasks.
For the treatment of stress induced corrosion of prestressed bridges some en-
hancements are provided:
The print out of stresses has in row C a new entry Az,r in the last column
giving the factor on the area and force of the prestressing yielding tensile
stress of ct .
Record BEAM has a new item PRED (after STYP) defining a factor to be
applied on all tendon areas and forces.
For DESI an additional row will be printed with the relative bearing capacity
based on the moments of the life load (Action L) with ident (rel-tra(M-live))
A
B
a
d
V
s C
D
The inclination of the shear links and the struts may be chosen arbitrarily. A
gently inclination will reduce the required shear link area, but will increase the
longitudinal tensile force. AQB will therefore select the most gently inclination
with an admissable compressive stress. However a defined large minimum re-
inforcements for the shear links will increase that angle to reach an utilisation
close to 1.0. Higher values can be specified explicitly in the record DESI.
The basic principle for the shear design is always a shear force T acting in the
walls of an equivalent hollow or open thin walled section which may be obtained
by three different theories:
The most common formula for the cracked section uses the lever of inter-
nal forces and an empirical reduction based on the ratio of the separated
compressive or tensile forces.
V Z D Mt
T =
+ (2.35)
z Z D
2Ak
For biaxial bending V is taken on the safe side as the norm of the shear force
vector (Vy ,Vz ). Z and Z are, respectively, the total and partial tension force in
the detached part of the cross section. D and D are the compressive forces.
The lever arm of the internal forces z comes from the bending design, or by ex-
plicit specification in AQUA. In this case one must note however that an inserted
minimum reinforcement parallel to the axis reduces the lever arm and that the
result of a local design does not have to be representative from time to time.
AQB received therefore a whole series of plausibility checks.
For the design of flanges some design codes recommend a more general
method based on the difference of the longitudinal forces:
Fd A
Fd beff
Dx
sf
A A
hf
B Fd +DFd
A sf
Fd +DFd
bw
d
Fd
T = (2.36)
h
This more general approach is also applicable for the design of the web, but
it does not allow for tendons leaving the separated parts between two cross
sections.
Last not least we have a shear flux based on the elsaticity theory reduced
by the ratio of the internal lever of the uncracked to the cracked state of the
section. This solution is a fall back for all those cases where the other two
methods have deficencies or fail.
The shear force T is thus defined as the resultant magnitude of the shear stress
along the width b0 of a cut.
The tensile force in the links is computed including the normal stress perpendic-
ular to the cut q from
T + q cot
Zb = (2.37)
sn (cot + cot)
This force is introduced into the design as an additional axial force on the total
section!
An optimal solution would introduce this force just from the beginning in the
bending design, as the accounting of the compressive forces afterward is rather
difficult. A drawback however is that the inclination of the struts has to be se-
lected in advance or by iteration and that point loads may lead to excessive
values of the reinforcements if the shear force changes the sign.
Thus for best practice it is quite common to use only half of the value and to
assign it to the tensile reinforcements only. This is not correct for the location
with a zero moment. To avoid larger values than those at the maximum moment
(where the transverse shear might be zero), a geometric shift rule is used quite
common.
All this can be controlled by the input CTRL VM. The default is to use the tensile
force approach only for nonlinear analsysi with NSTR, while for any design with
DESI the classical approach is selected. As the above drawbacks are only effec-
tive in a minor degree for torsion, we suggest to use CTRL VM - 1.0 in general.
Quite often it is allowed or even requested to use a fixed inclination of 45 degree
for the torsion design.
The oblique principal compressive stresses due to torsion and shear force are
determined from:
cos sn
= (2.39)
sn sn( + )
The combined principal compressive stresses from torsion and shear force, with
concurrent loading in the same direction, are computed by:
sn2 (V T )
= |,V | + |,T | ,V ,T (2.40)
,V sn2 (V ) + ,T sn2 (T )
In case of counteracting shear loads, the principal compressive stress and the
link reinforcement are computed from a truss with an average inclination of the
compression struts and the resulting shear load. The designer must account
for whether this is in concordance with the codes in all cases. Whereas Eu-
rocode EC 2 makes explicit provision for this, the old DIN standards required
separate calculations, which though do not always yield meaningful results (e.g.
by inclined links).
A deduction from the web width of a shear cut can be defined in AQUA, in order
to account for the weakening due to ungrouted ducts.
AQB can handle also many cases of biaxial shear loading, however, these are
not to be believed under no circumstances uncritically. Especially if the resultant
shear force is not perpendicular to the neutral axis within certain limits, a real 3D
non-linear truss analysis may be the only choice to obtain reliable results.
The problem is now, that most design codes describe the matter based on a
rectangular section. The design check is based either on admissible stresses
or by comparing the total design shear force or torsional moment with the ulti-
mate resisting force or moment. While the first method has no problems with
complicated sections it is not very economical. The second method on the other
side will become rather difficult for a complex section. The method used by AQB
lies in between and is stated as possible design method in the Eurocode in the
chapter about interaction of torsion and transverse shear.
The design for the transverse shear with the variable inclination strut method is
done by comparing the design shear force VEd with the resisting shear forces of
the compression struts VRd,c and of the reinforcement VRd,s . AQB uses however
internally shear fluxes (kN/m). Where ever the norm uses V = b h... or V =
b d.. or V = b z .., AQB treats the flux T=V/h resp. V/d resp. V/z and the
corresponding shear stress. AQB reports the reinforcement required by this
design, as well as a permissible principal compressive stress or torsional shear
stress. The printout of shear forces utilisation factors VEd /VR will be done only in
the extended printout request.
The check of the compression strut strength is thus always made by either al-
lowing a maximum shear stress or by checking the principal compressive stress.
Viewed in that way, the principal compressive stresses must satisfy the following
conditions:
,T T cd T = 0.7 V (2.42)
,V 2 ,T 2
+ 1.0 (2.43)
V cd
T cd
The permissible shear stresses for construction elements without shear rein-
forcement (plates) are given by:
The required reinforcement results from the truss analogy, equation (). AQB
begins with the lowest inclination value for the compression struts (0.4 or the
value TANA by the DESI record), and increases it up to the required value when
the principal compressive stresses are exceeded or the minimum reinforcement
Design is always done for the uniaxial resulting components of the forces or
moments.
In general, this task can only be solved iteratively. To accomplish this, the strain
level of the cross section, which is defined by the strain in the centroid and
the curvatures in the two coordinate directions, must be varied until the internal
forces and moments of the cross section sufficiently match the external ones.
The evaluation of deformations and the distribution of forces should use the
mean values (Ecm , fctm ) in general. (A 2.1 (3))
For bracing elements, i.e. those where a lower stiffness is unfavourable, the
mean values of the concrete have to be divided by a safety factor of the
material. (A3.4 (6) und A3.1 (6)). As these factors do not coincide with those
of the design itself, they have to be specified with the stress-strain law within
AQUA.
For the evaluation of the ultimate limit state one has to use design values. (A
2.1 (4)).
For the design with the total system, reduced safety factors for the loading
as well as for the concrete may be used. (A 3.1)
The design takes into account any reinforcement possibly computed for the
stored load cases. If no reinforcement has been computed, or if a single com-
bination of forces and moments has been defined externally, the program uses
the minimum reinforcement ratios set in AQUA.
where srm is the mean crack spacing, sm the mean strain of the steel, cm
the mean strain of the concrete between the cracks and an optional safety
coefficient (old EC 2 = 1.7). The required design crack width wk is prescribed
in AQB. The reduced coefficient for restraint must be defined for thick cross
sections through the explicit input of this value.
The two characteristic values are determined from the following expressions:
srm = k3 c + k1 k2 k4 D/ z (2.48)
1 + 2
k2 + = (2.49)
2 1
s 1 1 s
sm cm = kt ct,e + 0.6 (2.50)
Es Es e Ecm Es
DIN 1045-1 resp. Heft 525 DAfStB use somehow different formulas:
ds s ds
srm = ; kt = 0.4 (2.51)
3.6e 3.6ct,e
The old EC 2 and Heft 400 DAfStB use somehow different formulas:
2
s sr s
sm cm = {1 1 2 } 0.4 (2.53)
Es s Es
ct
sr = (1 + (n 1)z ) = rst crck stress (2.54)
z
Other design codes like the SNIP use completely other formulas or establish
additional constraints like the swedish BBK. More detailed hints may be found in
the following chapters about the design codes.
The size of the effective tension area for certain checks in AQUA can be input
explicitly for each reinforcement element. The value for the total reinforcement
is computed by AQB by reducing the height of the tension zone.
he = mn{2.5 (h d) , (h ) , h/ 2} (2.55)
Although the design codes specify d as the distance to the centroid of the re-
inforcements, it is much more appropriate to use the distance to the resulting
tensile force of the reinforcements. The reduction of the tension zone height to
the bottom third is not appropriate in practice, because the axial force effects
may make the tension zone become so small that the reinforcement is located
in the upper third of the tension zone. AQB presupposes a height here of at least
2.0(c-D/2) for this height.
The factor 2.5 is valid only for concentrated reinforcements and thin elements
as stated in the German national annexe. For thick sections DIN 1045-1 speci-
fies two curves for bending and centric constraining, referenced in the German
annexe to EN 1992 only by the limits h/ d1 10 resp. h/ d1 5.
and this term is introduced into the crack width equation. The requirement of
a square with 30 cm long sides is fulfilled in that a reference area AR can be
defined for the tendons. If the value of this area becomes less than or equal
to 0.09 m2 , a uniform distribution is assumed and the tendon is entered by its
maximum value. For areas larger than 0.09 m2 , only a proportion reduced by
0.09/AR is entered.
The old German DIN 4227 provided an explicit formula for the diameter:
r z
d 104 (2.57)
s2
The check is carried out for the strip between outermost reinforcement and neu-
tral axis, yet not greater than HMAX (80 cm). All reinforcement within this region,
both conventional and prestressing steel, is taken into account for computing r
z . Prestressing steel in immediate bond is accounted with its full area, whereas
prestressing steel with subsequent bond is accounted with the following formula:
rz ds
As = (2.58)
r 4
The requirement of a square with 30 cm long sides is fulfilled in that a reference
area AR can be defined for the tendons. If the value of this area becomes less
than or equal to 0.09 m2 , a uniform distribution is assumed and the tendon is
entered by its maximum value. For areas larger than 0.09 m2 , only a proportion
reduced by 0.09/AR is entered.
The maximum over this region is used for the stress in the steel or the stress
increase. Particular reinforcement elements referring to a partial area can also
be checked, if the appropriate values have been defined in AQUA.
th ED = Ey Ez (Eyz)2
cannot be evaluated for all five stiffness and plastic curvatures by given mo-
ments and curvatures. One solution is to set EIyz and the plastic curvatures
equal to zero and compute the remaining secant stiffnesses of the diagonal
members.
Ez ky
= (2.60)
ED My
Ey kz
= (2.61)
ED Mz
This methodology may yield the right results after an iterative calculation for
many cases. However, if EIyz deviates significantly from zero, the stiffnesses,
which are defined in this manner, can become considerably higher than the elas-
tic values. And the formulas are not applicable in this form for any initial stress or
temperature gradients. A fully cracked unsymmetrically reinforced sections with
zero curvature would still yield a moment, thus the stiffness becomes infinite.
This effect could be treated with large effort by a shifted center of gravity. The
SOFiSTiK approach however is to select useable non linear effective elasticity
moduli referred to the gross sectional area, which may become also larger than
the elastic stiffness. The orientation of the principal axes is maintained by a
variation of the stiffness EIyz . Then the corresponding plastic deformations are
calculated. For the regular case EIyz =0, the following equations may be used:
N = E A (0 0,p ) (2.62)
1. Secant stiffness
The curvatures ky and kz and the moments yield new stiffnesses according to
equations and . This method is usually the fastest. It may though become
EI0
M
EI = M k
k
2. Plastic curvatures
The stiffness remains unchanged, but plastic curvatures are created according
to equation . This method is more general and, as a rule, a little more stable.
It can also cover biaxial bending and changes in the axial stiffness with ease.
EI0 EI0
M
k pl = k - M EI0
k0 k
3. Tangential stiffness
However it is much better in general to select a mixture of both methods by
setting the stiffness values to the true tangential stiffness and to fulfill equation
by the introduction of the plastic curvatures.
There are three additional sub-variants possible in each case, which affect the
determination of the strain state.
Stiffness with the same moment (SN,KN) The strain plane continues to be
M
Eo
En
Kpl
K
modified until the internal match the external forces. This method approaches
the desired solution quasi from above, which means that it does indeed work
faster, but with problems in the immediate vicinity of the ultimate load.
Stiffness with the same curvature (S1,K1) The old curvatures are retained and
the axial strain continues to be changed until the internal matches the external
axial force. The internal moments MY and MZ, which are normally smaller than
the external ones, and the old curvatures yield the new stiffnesses and plastic
M
E0 E1
Kpl
K
curvatures. This method approaches from below and therefore always works,
but it requires more iterations.
The default is the S1 method with automatic acceleration. In systems with only
slightly utilised cross sections, SN will generally give quicker results. In case of
systems close to the ultimate load, one should switch to K1, and perhaps reduce
the automatic acceleration.
However, the calculation is not entirely free of problems for statically indeter-
minate systems, since these plastic strains can create very high axial forces.
For this reason the plastic strains are used only in the extended K procedures,
although they could theoretically be used in the S procedures also. As a con-
sequence calculations with plastic redistributions from axial force can only be
handled with these procedures.
Tension Stiffening
For a realistic determination of the stiffnesses, the cooperative effect of the con-
crete between the cracks (tension stiffening) must be considered. This can be
taken into account in AQB in accordance with Eurocode EC 2 or the heft 525, by
determining the crack widths. Instead of the steel-strain for cracked condition,
0 s sr :
sm = s1 (2.66)
sr s 1.3 sr :
t (s sr ) + (1.3sr s )
sm = s2 (sr2 sr1 ) (2.67)
0.3sr
1.3 sr s y :
y s t :
sr
sm = y t (sr2 sr1 ) + d 1 (s2 sy ) (2.69)
y
The full theory to that was published by Katz in the journal Der Stahlbau in
1998.
If shear and torsional stiffnesses have been defined in AQUA, then they will be
reduced in the proportion of internal to external forces and they will be stored as
a non-linear stiffness to the database.
1. Solid sections
In solid sections a partial consideration of interaction is achieved through the
shift rule. As a further possibility also a reduction of the torsional and the shear
stiffnesses is implemented with the reduction of the normal and bending stiff-
ness. An exact theory is not planned currently.
The von Mises flow rule will be evaluated to a point at distance t/6 from the
boundary with the highest stresses. During yielding redistribution of stresses
caused from constraints in the cross section may occur. However these can
be taken into account only with a three dimensional non-linear finite element
analysis. Therefore in AQBS the yield condition is taken into consideration in
the form of an elastic part:
y
= p (2.70)
2 + 3 2
For the elastic stress E e will be used. Afterwards the non-linear stresses will
be defined equal to the elastic stresses multiplied by . They will be integrated
each part separately to the cross section forces. Three different methods for the
determination of the elastic part are implemented. The default is the method
according to Prandtl with one flow rule.
For the determination of the inner torsional moment the parts of the open cross
section are decollated determines to the shear flow after Bredt. The Bredt shear
flow is influenced mainly through the thinner point of the cross section. The
minimum factor of all sections parts with Bredt shear flow will be calculated
therefore and this factor will be applied to the total torsional moment.
For the loading there are special load trains available (e.g. LM3 in Eurocode
1). For such load cases special enlargements of the forces and moments are
selectable with the item FAT in record LC. However in many cases also the
frequent load combination values of the standard live loads may be used. In
both cases there are multiple load cases or load case combinations and further
checks have to be done based on the minimum and maximum stresses from the
set of results. For concrete the reference stress from permanent loads is also
needed.
The design check against fatigue is only performed for reinforcements and ten-
dons and discrete stress points.
admissible sways of the damage equivalent stresses obtained from the real
fatigue stress with a correction coefficient s resp t resp. c . This will be
triggered with a value of > 0.0.
eq = (A.106.1) (2.71)
Rt,k
t,eq (4.191) (2.72)
Rs,k
s,eq (4.191) (2.73)
v
cd,m,eq u cd,mn,eq
+ 0.43 1 1.0 (A.106.12) (2.74)
t
cd, t cd,m,eq
v !
u cd,mn,eq
cd,m,eq cd, t 1.0 0.43 1 (2.75)
t
cd,m,eq
If -values are given negative, the simplified check with admissible sways of
the concrete and reinforcements form the maximum and minimum stresses
of the frequent load combinations according to the respective paragraph (2)
(DIN 1045-1 10.8.4) are performed. For the tendons a modified decompres-
sion check with 75 % of the prestress is foreseen.
cd,m cd,mn
0.50 + 0.45 0.9|0.8 (2.77)
cd, t cd, t
Admissible values of the sway have been defined with the material in AQUA.
The safety factors are already included in those values then. A value defined in
NSTR for SIGS will establish an upper limit on the admissible steel stress (eg.
SIGS 70)
As zs + Ap zp
= r (2.78)
ds
As zs + Ap zp dp
It should be pointed out, that this formula will yield very large values if the
reinforcement is defined with a very small area.
A rather nasty problem is the evaluation of the shear. The DIN design code
allows a simple solution based on a corrected value for the inclination of the
compressive struts:
p
tn tge = tn (2.79)
Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to keep this value from the shear design
for all individual shear cuts or transform it to different load combinations and
reinforcement distributions for the fatigue stress check. AQB uses instead a fixed
value of 4/7 for the tangents. The user may overwrite this value however with
any desired value. As AQB uses the modified internal lever of forces based on
the real stress distribution, an increase of the shear stress is already activated.
If this circumstances allow a classification of a more detailed design is up to
the users decision.
The inclination of the truss struts is computed based on the stresses of an un-
cracked stage:
y
tn1 = (2.80)
0.6 re
tn = tn1 1 0.4 (2.81)
The lower limit of 0.4 for a is not applicable in the determination of the principle
compressive stresses (see Volume 320 of DAfStB [ Deutscher Ausschuss fr
Stahlbeton = German Committee for Reinforced Concrete] ). An inclination of
45 degrees is specified for torsion.
The shear reinforcement is computed so as to cover for the centre point of a cut,
based on the effective width and the mean torsional shear stress m,T found in
AQUA:
T = ,V tn bq + m,T b0 (2.82)
For cross sections with torsional stresses according to the integral equation
method, AQUA chooses a conservative average shear stress, which can lead to
a slight overdesign (e.g. 3%).
The minimum reinforcement is used according to table 5 of A1 and the the ex-
planations about that from Tue, Knig, Pommerening (Bautechnik 1999) (Differ-
ences in particular at wide beams).
The rules of Zone b are always applicable for tensioned flanges (Section 12.4.2
(4)).
When checking in accordance with DIN 4227, the calculated stress is compared
with the lower and upper values of the design limits. The inclination of the truss
struts is computed by the expression:
in general:
0.6 m
tn = 1.0 1 0.4 (2.83)
If a check in accordance with Zone a (STRE) has been performed in the same
input block, the so computed reinforcement is not saved if the maximum stress
limit has not been reached. The corresponding cuts are marked with A or I
(uncracked Stage I) instead of B. If this is not the case, this reinforcement will be
selected.
Since the stress limit in uncracked Stage I is only approximately calculated here
for an ideal cross section, with a deviation of a few percentage points, it is pos-
sible in rare cases that some sections will not be designed in either case. For
cross sections with more than one material, the program checks the value of
stress limit whose material number was defined by the SECT record.
The rules of Zone a are always applicable for compressed flanges (Section
12.4.2 (6)).
The minimum reinforcement is increased for wide beams (not slabs) with
b0>2d0.
Changed definition of d0 for kc (6.7.3.)
The material which shows the smallest compressive stress for the limit LIMA
becomes decisive.
The direction of the reference line is determined by means of the stress
distribution including all residual stresses in this material.
Coefficient k is interpreted as the thinnest place in the cross section to de-
termine from wall elements or shear cuts.
Coefficient kc can become also negative, then the whole minimum reinforce-
ment is deactivated through this coefficient!
d0 is taken as the effective height vertically to the reference line. The propor-
tional consideration of prestressed steel occurs about the bond coefficients
according to EC 2. A separate definition of bond stress ratios is not required.
0 k 01 = 0. (2.85)
0 01 = 0.40 (2.86)
0 03 = 0 (2.88)
0 T
+ 1.3 (2.89)
03 02
In case of fully tensioned cross sections, the design is based on the princi-
ple tensile stress computed in uncracked Stage I without further reduction. For
numerical reasons, only sections, by which the 1/1.75- multiple of the tensile
concrete strength is exceeded, are considered to be fully tensioned. In case of
fully compressed cross sections the design is similarly performed in Stage I, yet
a reduction is permitted.
The preset shear stress limits are appropriately increased for design under ulti-
mate loads.
T01 ( 2 1 )
V T02 (10 1 )
T T02 (10 1 )
V+T T03 (12 1 )
as well as a reduction force
Vred = b0 z 1
B 4250 designs for ultimate loads. The reduction value is thus increased. The
clause with the torsional stress is cancelled in this case.
B 4253 does not contain any reduction value, the inclination of the truss is re-
duced instead according to 12.2.2.(3) :
Some how uncertain is 2.4.2. (3). The steel strain will not be checked by AQB.
We believe that the provision of symmetric reinforcements in those cases by
For the inclination of the diagonals of the truss model we have the formulas
(23) and (24) of OENORM. The lower limit of 0.4 is only allowed for continuous
reinforcement. This has to be specified in REIN as SPAN.
The serviceability check uses a given interpolation factor between tables 7/8 and
9/10. Table 9 and 10 have been extended for smaller stresses according to the
theoretical base.
The B 4750 has additional factors for the creep coefficients if the strength is
higher than 35 MPa. The deductional areas of tendons is always the full duct
area.
The mean value of permissible inclination for shear force and torsion is freely
selectable between 25 and 45 degrees within SIA 262, the maximum allowed
shear is given by:
The coefficients kc will be selected based on the stress distribution and the
CUT-properties WEB / FLAN.
The coefficient k for plates without shear links is taken as 3.0 and modified ac-
cording to the steel strength and the grading of the longitudinal reinforcements.
Modifications according to the maximum grain have to be specified explicitly.
This value can be varied by 20 degrees within the limits of 25 and 65 degrees.
AQB begins with the lower value of compression strut inclination and increases
it when the principal compressive stresses are exceeded. The safety coefficient
is set similarly to the bending design (1.2). The upper limit of the shear stress
(3.24.211) is equivalent to a check of the principal compressive stress:
0.25
c,mn = m{0.4, 0.65 } (2.92)
45
The design for cracking is done via a limit for the stresses according to
A.4.5,323.
NTC (Norme Tecniche) of year 2005 was an intermediate solution, where ma-
terial safety (1.9/1.5) was referred on the cubical strength Rck of the concrete.
The crack width according Table 5.1-X is also depended on the sensitivity of
the reinforcement, and the stresses had to be checked for the serviceability
condition according to table 5.1-XI and 5.1-XII depending on the environmental
conditions.
The NTC (Norme Tecniche) of year 2008 is now nearly identical to the EN 1992
fast vollstndig berein. Small deviations are in the material parameters only.
Formulas for the crack width have to be taken from the comment however, they
are not included in the design code itself. Also for non linear analysis detailed
provisions are not given.
A
V V2 = Vc + Vs = c b0 d + z cot yd (2.94)
s
The first row is a check against compressive stress and will be marked as such
if not passed. The second equation will get a value of c from the bending
design, deduct this from the shear force and will cover the remaining force with
links. The coefficient SS depends on the inclination of the struts with rather
complex formulas. The inclination of the struts will be iterated between 0.5 and
2.0. For the least inclination the value of SS will become 0.0!
The design will be done by a scaled shear stress V/bd, a deductional shear
stress c and the maximum allowed shear stress of v-u1 = V1 /bd.
There are no special effects for the bending design, but for the shear a deduction
method is foreseen where the concrete capacity is dependant on the normal
stress, the prestress and the existing longitudinal reinforcement. (Sections 3.7.3
and 3.7.4.)
need. For the check of stresses for bridges the user must prescribe the admis-
sible stresses in general. Shear design is implemented according to BS 8110
and BS 5400:Part4:1990. For the latter the user has to select the class of the
sections. Then you have to distinguish between:
Shear force Section cracked in flexure (equation 29), class 1 and class 2
only
Mcr
Vcr = 0.037 b d c + V (2.96)
M
The ratio Mcr /M will be derived from the forces of the given combination via
the normal stresses, which allows an immediate scaling of the shear force or
stress.
Section cracked in flexure (equation 30), class 3 only
Fpe Mo
Vcr + = 0.55 c b d + V (2.97)
Fp M
Also for this case everything is treated via the ratio Mo /M and not V/M. The-
oretically the ratio V/M should be evaluated for every load pattern, but this
would require to perform all superpositions within AQB. We believe that the
evaluation of the ratio for the given combination is sufficient in general.
Required Reinforcements
As b
mns = = 0.4 (2.98)
s (0.87 y )
As (V + 0.4 b d Vc )
s = = (2.99)
s (0.87 y d)
Ast T
st = = (2.100)
s (1.6 1 y1 0.87 y )
The depth d is according to the code the distance from the outmost compression
fibre to the centre of gravity of the reinforcements, but not less than 0.8h.
There is no remark within the text of the standard if V/M includes forces from
prestress. As it is generally intended to work on the ultimate forces and as there
is no specific safety factor for prestress available, we use only external load
According to the standard the shear part of the inclined tendons has to be added
to the resistance Vc0 (uncracked) but not to the resistance Vcr (cracked), which
is not followed by AQB. For the evaluation of the reinforcements V should include
those parts.
Theoretically one has to consider all beam sections for all load cases to se-
lect the side of the section to have compression or tension for the evaluation of
Mcr and d. We use a bounding rectangle with its corners and midsides for this
purpose.
For the evaluation of the shear stress from torsion the standard has equation
9a for rectangular sections. This will provide for some ratios hmin/hmax lesser
values than those provided by classical mechanics, which is compensated by
much lesser admissible stresses compared to DIN/EC. AQB will not use this
formula at all, due to unknown theoretical background. Instead the stresses
from AQUA will be multiplied with a factor of 1.25 similar to equation 10a.
Crack width may be evaluated according BS 5400 Part 4 5.8.8. For the tension
stiffening effect a reduction is performed with an assumed tensile strength at the
height of the reinforcement. What you need are the nominal cover values from
table 13:
Concrete Grade
Environment 25 30 40 50
Extreme - - 65 55
(Marine structures / moorland / pH < 4.5)
Very Severe - (60) 50 40
(De-icing salts / sea water spray)
Severe - 45 35 30
(driving rain/alternate wetting and drying)
Moderate 45 35 30 25
(fully sheltered / pH > 4.5)
With the appearance of the ACI 02 several important changes have been in-
troduced, however the old provisions still exist in Appendix B and C, which are
available with a separate INI-file.
Minimal moments according 8.17.1 of AASHTO may be selected via the literal
MCR as load type at any combination. The factor is then to be defined as 1.2.
The safety factors of the materials are expected with their inverse faktors (ACI
and AAHSTO nearly identical):
For small compressive forces the safety factor will be interpolated according to
the steel strain. The old version based on the minimum from 0.1fc A and the
normal force Pb of the balanced strain condition is only available with the 318-
99 version. This estate of balanced strain condition will be evaluated first if
the section is not fully under compressive stresses. The safety factor is then
evaluated and will be kept despite of any changes of strain within the iteration.
Additional moments according to 10.12.3. will be only applied if a value for BETA
at record BEAM is defined. We use Cm=1.0 and beta-d=0.6. Sway frames with
slenderness ratios larger than 100 require a more detailed analysis via STAR2.
Shear design will follow chapter 11.3.2. of ACI resp. 5.8.3. (2002: 8.16.6) of
The depth d is according to the code the distance from the outmost compression
fibre to the centre of gravity of the reinforcements, but not less than 0.8h.
AASHTO LRFD (2004) describes the shear design in chapter 5.8.3./4. in detail
and rather complex. If AQUA has defined the crack spacing parameter se for a
section, the design will be made using table 2, otherwise the values of Table 1
are used. The strain will be always taken for the mid of the shear cut.
Torsion within the ACI relies for the reinforcements exactly on the equivalent
hollow section, but for the allowed stresses there is a simplified formula (11.6.1
resp. 11.6.3). AQB treats the value of Mt U/1.7A2 of 11.6.3 as real shear stress
and factorises it for 11.6.1. Variant b of this formula is not accounted for. For the
inclination of the struts there is always a value of 45 degrees. For prestressed
sections this can be modified with input of DESI TANA 0.767 to the 37.5 degrees
for the torsion. Minimum reinforcement according to 11.6.5.2. will be considered,
11.6.5.3 however not.
Design according to knows two limit states: Group 1 (ultimate load) and Group
2 (Serviceability). The selection of the safety coefficients is rather complex, as
they depend not only on the loading but also on the importance of the structure.
This should be done therefore within SOFiLOAD and MAXIMA, i.e. those safety
factors have to be included in the forces and moments when entering the design.
In AQB we have only the factors b according to Table 15 to apply. The default
is b = 0.9.
Lower and upper limits for co are given by ho and 2 ho , from that we have
depending on z corresponding limits for the crack angle. A definition of TANA /
TANB in input record DESI however is always taken based on the ratio co /ho .
section to the face of the support. As this value is limited to an upper value it will
become effective only in the vicinity of the support.
The maximum shear force is limited on the compressive strength of the concrete
according to SNIP equation (72):
Q
b = 0.3 1 b1 Rb (2.102)
bh0
The part of the concrete in this formula as well as in others to follow are ruled
by the coefficients b1 Rb , b2 Rbt , b3 Rbt , b4 Rbt . As these factors
depend on the concrete class, all necessary definitions have to be made when
defining the material in AQUA.
Shear design is done with a deduction method, i.e. the total shear force is given
according to 3.31. equation 75 as the sum:
Q Q = Qs + Qs,nc + Qb (2.104)
The part Qs,nc has to be accounted for as with any other design code either
globally with inclined shear links or as a post processing from the total required
shear links. The part Ts is given by the following relation (neglecting shear link
inclination and compressive stress perpendicular to the section:
As Qs Qs
= = tnR (2.105)
s c0 Rs z Rs
For the SP 52 the factors and n are not defined (=Zero), the value b2 is set
to 1.5.
In the old SNIP the factor is defined for general sections as a similar relation
based on the shear deformation area according to:
(b b)h A
= 0.75 = 0.75 0.5 (2.107)
b h0 A
The value n takes care of the normal force either from compressive forces (78)
or tensile forces (79). The total value of 1+n + is limited to 1.5.
For sections without shear links, the allowable shear is given in the SNIP by
equation (84) with the limits of 2.5 Rbt bh0 and the coefficient b3 :
Q0 h0
0 = = b4 (1 + + n ) Rbt (2.110)
bh0 c
For the design of the completed crack pattern, SNIP chapter 4.14 gives the
relation (144) for the crack width acrc :
s 3
p
crc = 20(3.5 100) d (2.111)
Es
The value is depending on the concrete, a special override with an input value
is possible.
For the design of the completed crack pattern, SP chapter 7.2.12 gives now the
relation (7.13) for the crack width acrc :
s
crc = 1 2 3 s s (2.112)
Es
The formula for the longitudinal reinforcement due to shear is not implemented.
The user has to specify the correct value with CTRL VM (1.0 for perpendicular
links)
For Bridges we have IRC-21 (Road Bridges) resp. IRC-18 (Prestressed Con-
crete Road Bridges). Besides a lot of constuctive details, the allowable shear
stresses of IRC-21 are less. As the IRC-21 allows any recognised rational
method for the design we strongly recommend the Limit State Method.
IRC-18 has admissible stresses for temporary and service conditions which may
be selected via STRE BH and VH.
Creep and shrinkage values according to table 2 and 3 dependant on the matu-
rity and the age of the concrete are available as defaults.
For the design the following load combinations are required: (Section 12):
The provisions of 38.1 f) are not suitable for general programming, but in AQB
there is an equivalent rule available. AQB uses symmetric reinforcement distri-
bution to prevent unannounced failure whenever the tensile strain is less than
some limit value S1 of record DESI. Thus one can influence this behaviour for
special cases..
There is a minimum eccentricity for columns with non-linear second order theory
according to paragraph 25.4:
sk h
emn = + > 20mm (2.113)
500 30
This should be applied for biaxial bending for the weaker axis. For plane sys-
tems the local z-direction is appropriate. A simplified analysis according to para-
graph 39.7 with additional moments will be activated by defining a slenderness
factor BETA.
Shear design according to IS 456 has a table 19 for the stress of the concrete
vc , which is enlarged in the presence of a compressive force with a factor given
in paragraph (40.2.2.). In the neighbourhood of the face of a direct support, this
value may be raised according to 40.5. That is why the shear force does not
vary linearly as in other design codes but remains constant in that region.
For the design of shear according to IRC 18 the concrete shall bear the minimum
from the following two values:
The ratio Mcr /M will be evaluated via the normal stresses. This allows then
an immediate scaling of the shear stress or force. This ratio is evaluated only
for the current actual design combination.
The required shear links will calculated according to 14.1.4., the maximum ten-
sile stress is limited to 415 MPa.
However AQB takes care of the critical height of the compressive zone with co-
efficient k = 0.4 according to row b. For a compressive strain of -3.0 per mille
this yields an optimal steel strain of +4.5 per mille. The safety factor is then
interpolated depending on the steel strain exactly as in the ACI and a compres-
sive reinforcement is provided. In 2005 a similar interpolation depending on the
relative height k0 has been introduced.
This coefficient will be modified depending on the axial forces. However this
requires the knowledge of the reinforcements, Thus a proper evaluation is only
possible with a design check for a given reinforcement which follows the common
design practice with manual calculations.
Creep and shrinkage values according to provisions of paragraph 6.1 are avail-
able completely.
Shear design has a shear strength vc from the concrete according to paragraph
8.2.7. and a part of the reinforcements according 8.2.9/10. The maximum shear
stress for shear and torsion is 0.2 fc . A linear interaction is defined.
3 Description of Input
[mm] 1011 Implicit unit. Implicit units are categorised semantically and de-
noted by a corresponding identity number (shown in green). Valid
categories referring to the unit length are, for example, geodetic
elevation, section length and thickness. The default unit for each
category is defined by the currently active (design code specific)
unit set. This input default can be overridden as described above.
The specified unit in square brackets corresponds to the default for
unit set 5 (Eurocodes, NORM UNIT 5).
Record Items
ECHO OPT VAL SELE
CTRL OPT VAL VAL2
BEAM FROM TO STEP TYPE X XE NCS
BETA BETS STYP PRED
LAMS LAMT LAML LAMC
CS CS0 CS1 CS2 CS3 ... CS31
TEND NO NOB MNO ICS1 ICS2 ICS3
X Y Z ZZ AZ NY NZ
YHR ZHR AHR DZ AR UZ TEMP
Table continued on next page.
Record Items
LC NO TYPE CST REF TITL
GAMU GAMF PSI0 PSI1 PSI2 PS1S GAMA
APAR SUP FAT
S NCS NO X N VY VZ MT
MY MZ MB MT2 Y Z REF
COMB EXTR SCOM SFAC LC1 F1 LC2 F2
LC3 F3 LC4 F4 LC5 F5 LC6
F6 LCST CST TITL
EIGE MNO PHI EPS REL T RH TEMP
T0 GRP LCT
STRE SMOD STYP SC ST SBC SBT SBBC
SBBT SI SII TAU SV TAUS SSTM
SSEM SSKM SSER SSKR CC CBC CBBC
LIMA ZMAX ZDIF SCMG
REIN MOD RMOD LCR ZGRP SFAC P6 P7
P8 P9 P10 P11 P12 TITL
DESI STAT KSV KSB AM1 AM2 AM3 AM4
AMAX SC1 SC2 SCS SS1 SS2 C1
C2 S1 S2 Z1 Z2 SMOD TVS
KTAU TTOL TANA TANB MSCD SCL DELR
NSTR KMOD KSV KSB KMIN KMAX ALPH FMAX
CRAC CW BB HMIN HMAX CW- FFCT
CHKD CHKT CHKS FAT SIGS TANS TANC
DUMP
Input is divided into blocks, which conclude with the record END. Within each
block, any desired load case and beam combination may be selected and pro-
cessed with the design operations. The program is terminated when an empty
block (END/END) is encountered.
The records HEAD, END and PAGE are described in the general manual
Saving results
Results of design (combination forces, reinforcements, stresses, utilisation fac-
tors) can be saved in the database. The reinforcement has its own case number
LCR. For more Details see record REIN. All other results will be saved under a
load case number either identical to the selected load case (TYPE (D) etc) or
specified with LCST for any superposition combination.
The printout has been completely redesigned in tabular form. This implied some
separations in multiple tables to get a better overview. The ECHO control has
been adopted.
AQUA creates now sections as finite elements. If this mesh should not be used
for the design, it may be deselected with CTRL FEM 0.
NORM
Many defaults for materials, superposition and design are selected according to
the selected design code and an optional country code and all the other data
provided with this record. It is therefore requested to specify this data with the
beginning of the project.
It is possible to redefine the design code NORM temporarily for the design (eg.
concrete / steel) if the parameters of the actions remain the same. As this might
have some special risque, the user should use this option thoroughly.
Although there are still explicit code fragments in the software unavoidable,
many of the defaults are specified in so called INI-Files located in the SOFiSTiK
directory. The name of the matching INI-file is derived from the given data as
DC_NDC.INI.
Some codes require or allow the selection of a category or class. This can
then be specified with CAT. The possible items are given in the INI-File. For
evaluations with historic design codes not available with an INI-file, the definition
of CAT USER allows to specify any name of the design code.
The extend to which the specified altitude, wind/snow or earthquake zone def-
initions are accounted for is described in the program manuals of the modules
using those values. The user should never assume that all regulations of the de-
sign codes are automatically fulfilled when selecting such a value. The possible
items and defaults are given in the matching INI-File. The resultant values which
result from the altitude or the wind/snow/earthquake zones have to be checked
in the corresponding programs in the case of a subsequent modification. E.g.
for some design codes the combination coefficients of the snow depend on the
altitude. In the case of a modification of the altitude combination coefficients
have to be adapted by the user if necessary.
If the user wants to suppress such a value completely he may specify it with
NONE.
The item UNIT will be processed only in AQUA or TEMPLATE. With a definition
of UNIT a set of units will be selected globally for all input and output data in
all other modules. The default is specified in the INI-file. Definitions with record
PAGE will be active only within the current module.
The following design codes are available as INI-Files and/or special program
code has been created to cope with special regulations. The marks A and B
indicate if this code has been implemented in AQB and BEMESS. For more
detailed information, especially which provisions of the codes have been imple-
mented, please check the manuals and the HTM-files of the design programs.
In many cases it is possible to add some clauses within short time within the
program or with CADINP.
EN - Eurocodes
For the old design codes OEN 4200, OEN 4250, OEN 4253 no INI files exist.
The program AQB is so programmed that the appropriate design is done with
input of the design code. As materials BOE is input for concrete and BSOE for
steel.
BS - British Standard
IS - Indian Standard
AS - Australian Standard
E - Instrucciones Espaniola
DS - Danish Standard
NS - Norsk Standard
GB - Chinese Standard
JS - Japan Standard
The following table describes the implemented features for the current steel and
timber design codes exceeding the simple stress check or the fully applied non-
linear analysis:
where
The following table describes the implemented features for the concrete design
exceeding the design for bending and shear:
Design Code SK CC CZ VB CT CW DY
EN 1992-1991 X X - - X X X
EN 1992-2004 - X X - X X X
EN 1994-2004 - X - - X X X
DIN 1045 (1988) X X - - X X -
DAfStb hochfest.Beton
DIN 4227+A1 (1995) - X - X - X -
Design Code SK CC CZ VB CT CW DY
DIN 1045-1 (2001) X X X - X X X
DIN 1045-2008 (2008) X X X - X X X
DIN FB102-2009 (2009) - X X - X X X
DIN FB102-2003 (2003) - X X - X X X
DIN FB104-2003 (2003) - X X - - X X
DIN EN1992-2004 - X - - X X X
DIN EN1994-2004 - X - - X X X
OEN 4700 (2001) X X - - X X -
OEN 4750 (2000) - X - - X X -
OEN EN1992-2004 - X - - X X X
SIA 262 (2013) - X - - - X -
BS 8110 (1997) - - - - - X -
BS 5400 (1990) - - - - - X -
BS EN1992-2004 - X X - X X X
SNIP 20301 (1989) - - - - - X -
SNIP 52101 (2004) - - - - - X -
E EHE (1999) - - - - - X -
I DM-96 - - - - - - -
I DM-2005 - - - - - - -
I DM-2008 - X - - X X X
NF BAEL (1999) - - X - X X -
NF EN1992-2004 - X X - X X X
S BBK 04 / BRO 04 - - - - - X -
DS 411 - - - - - X -
DS EN1992-2004 - X X - X X X
SFS EN1992-2004 - X X - X X X
NEN EN1992-2004 - X X - X X X
NBN EN1992-2004 - X X - X X X
NS 3473 - X - - - - -
NS EN1992-2004 - X - - X X X
US ACI 318-99 (1999) X - - - - - -
US ACI 318-02 (2005) X - - - - - -
Design Code SK CC CZ VB CT CW DY
US ACI 318-08 (2008) X - - - - - -
US AASHTO-2002 - - - - - - -
US AASHTO-2004 - - - - - - -
US AASHTO-2010 - - - - - - -
ET RC-2001 - - - - X - -
AS 3600 (2009) - X - - - - -
AS 5100 (2001) - X X - - - -
NZS 3101 (1995) - - - - - X -
GB 50010 - X - - - - -
IS 456 (2000) X - - - - X -
IS IRC 18 (2000) - - - - - X -
IS IRC 21 (2000) - X - - - X -
JS JRA - X - - - - -
NBR 6118-2003 - X - - X X -
ZA TMH7 (1989) - - - - - X -
where
If a task is not provided with a special feature for a design code, the program will
use the provisions of the Eurocode instead. However not all provisions of the
design codes may be covered by a program or even described in above tables.
CTRL
3.6.1 Forces
AXIA Type of bending
+1 = Uniaxial bending (VY=MZ=0)
(default for planar systems and without AQUA license)
if there are values for Vy and MZ, the resultant forces will be
designed as Vz and My to allow this option to be used for
circular sections in a 3D system.
+2 = Biaxial bending, uniaxial extreme fibre stresses in system of
principal axes
-1 = Uniaxial bending due to symmetry
(VY=MZ=0, IYZ=0, YS=YSMP=0)
This value is inforced for sections defined with symmetric
condition in AQUA. ZSYM is also a vaild input instead of -1.
-2 = Biaxial bending, uniaxial extreme fibre stresses in y-z sys-
tem of section
(default for three-dimensional systems)
-3 = Biaxial bending for all sections even those with ZSYM def-
inition in AQUA (y-z-system) This option is not consistent
and only applicable in very rare cases.
ACT Groups of actions (AQB/AQBS only)
0= Each basic action identifier is an own action
1= Actions of the same category are members of the same ac-
tion (default)
2= The actions within one row of the table at record LC are
treated as members of the same action.
SMOO Smoothing of moments at supports
0 = no smoothing
1 = principal bending only (default)
2 = principal and lateral bending
4 = apply also for moments from prestress (type PR, not
ZP,SP)
8 = also reduce prestress shear forces linear
+128 = do not apply any reference systems
+256 = do not convert shear forces at inclined normal axis
+512 = do not convert moments at inclined normal axis
In AQB within the record BEAM the user can define explicitly if this is a bending
or compressed member. The default value is depending on the orientation of
the gravity direction to the beam axis and the eccentricity of the load < ED and
the magnitude of the compression force > NGRE A r.
VERT Boundary value of maximum deviation of the beam axis from the
horizontal plane so that a beam is still classified as a bending mem-
ber.
(default: 0.3333)
The distinction between bending members and compression mem-
bers is essential for the consideration of the minimum reinforce-
ment of the statically necessary cross section. As the normal rules
of deciding (normal force eccentricity e/d < 3,5 and N > Nboun)
will fail near the point of zero moment, an additional criterion is
(default: 0.0001)
IMAX Maximum number of iterations
(default: 50)
AMAX Maximum factor for line-search
(default: 1000)
AGEN Relative precision of line-search
(default: 0.2)
Inputs on the method of iteration (IMAX, AMAX, AGEN) should only be made in
exceptional cases.
With the types FLEX and COMP, the otherwise valid differentiation between
compression and bending members with respect to the orientation to the grav-
ity is overwritten. AQB checks however eccentricity and magnitude of the axial
force in every section against the selection. If CS0 is selected, the default of
Storage of non-linear stiffnesses with the record NSTR is possible only for the
group belonging to type BEAM.
The coefficient length BETA is used for designing according to the overall effec-
tive length. For a beam element it is relative to the beam length, for a structural
line relative to its total length. It may be entered positive or negative. Only
positive values will enable some buckling design.
If the section has the same buckling curve for y and z bending, the values BE-
TA/BETS are taken for the strong and weak axis, if they are different, the values
BETA/BETS are for the buckling in the local z resp. y directions.
Entering this value does not imply however that all aspects of stability design
are automatically fulfilled. As SOFiSTiK is designed to perform investigations of
the entire frame structure, only a few possibilities are programmed for this type
of design. At the present time there is available:
for the design according to the eurocode additional moments will be estab-
lished based on a simplified model column method, but this method is rather
uneconomical for small excentricities (e/d < 0.1) or long columns (l>15d).
Printout of the additional moments is only available for forces of combina-
tions.
Independent from the sign there are the following other effects:
For tendons the increment of the force will be bounded by the bond limits as
given in chapter 13 of the DIN 4227.
The coefficients LAMC, LAMT and LAMS are used to convert the stress range
evaluated with the program into a damage equivalent stress range. There are
the following possibilities:
This system is described by means of the external sections. The user must de-
fine every section with a beam number FROM and with an x value in increasing
order and a section number. When such a section has been defined, all further
inputs of TYPE SECT are interpreted as the defaults.
The system is stored separately in the database, and can be reactivated for later
computing runs with BEAM TYPE SECT.
Since tendons and internal forces and moments are also stored under the de-
fined beam type in the database, both the load cases and the tendons must be
Each section in AQUA may have up to 9 construction phases, each with a con-
struction stage number. If BA0 is defined with the literal AUTO, all CS values de-
fiend in AQUA will be used to define the construction stages, for literal AUTX the
values in AQUA will trigger the stages +0,+1 and +5. The definition of higher
construction stages may be done with multiple continuation lines as described
below. Every row with the literal CS+X will shift the assigned CS numbers by 10,
i.e. the second line defines the values for CS10 to CS19:
Every load case is also assigned to a distinct construction stage. Its forces are
acting on the section whith the highest construction stage less or equal than the
stage of the load case. It is also possible to assign a load case to an explicit
stage (e.g. BA3), this allows to use different construction stages in one load
case or to select always the second construction stage for the poststressing.
Further for every tendon three construction stage numbers are defined (values
ICS1 to ICS3). Each tendon can be installed, grouted, or extended to a particular
stage. Unless the very first tendon is allowed to have ICS1=ICS2, because the
program has to distinguish between the estates before and after the extrusion
very carefully. The following conventions are in effect for the stage SAi:
Empty duct
Tendons with SAi < ICS1 or SAi > ICS3 are present only with their duct as
deductional area.
Unextruded tendon
Tendons with SAi > ICS1 and SAi < ICS2 are calculated with their steel area
without bond and with their duct as deductional area. In ultimate load design,
the prestressing is calculated with a constant value, without a strain increment.
Extruded tendon
Tendons with SAi > ICS1 and SAi > ICS2 are calculated with their steel area into
the compound and with a deductional area of the same size. For redistribution
due to change in cross section, CTRL EIGE 2, the tendons with ICS2=SAi are
taken into account. ICS2=0 defines tendons with immediate bond.
These properties can also be defined in different ways, so that the user can
hold to a methodology which suits him in large systems with many stages of
construction progress. The order in which tendons are considered depends only
on the relative positions of the ICS numbers with respect to the SA numbers.
Always the highest used CS number of the load cases will be employed for cal-
culations at the total section (e.g. nonlinear, cree and shrinkage etc.) Checks for
building stages should therefore be checked or include the CS value as speci-
fication at COMB. Forces and primary strains will be converted to the selected
reference if necessary.
It has to be noted, that for accounting the existing reinforcements for the sec-
tional values with STRE and EIGE, the intended reinforcement distribution case
LCR has to be selected with record REIN!
Tendons are generally defined with the program TENDON. For special cases
and external sections, however, they can also be specified directly. The tendons
need to be entered in order by beams and beam sections. The x values need to
be specified with a precision of 1 mm.
The stress phases are the numbers of time stages in the progress of a con-
struction stage, and are assigned to individual sections during the CS inputs of
the BEAM record. For tendons with immediate bond, the correct specification is
ICS2 0.
For the shear check it is necessary that the tendons lie within the cross section.
Otherwise the proportional tensile force is computed wrongly. It is not there-
fore possible to combine all tendons into one single one which lies then outside
of the cross section. AQB checks the situation of the tendon with a tolerance
which corresponds to the radius of the prestressed steel area. External tendons
without bond that are supposed to be excluded from this examination must be
defined with ICS2 9999.
NY = dY/ dX
(3.2)
NZ = dZ/ dX
Hint:
Older versions of AQB used only m as basic unit for this record. This has been
changed from Version 12.47 to the more common unit mm (or others selected
via PAGE UNII) as within TENDON. Old definitions will be flagged with an error
13 or 14.
LC is used to select the load cases to be designed. The first item NO may be
specified with a number, an expression with wildcard symbol (eg. "1??00") for
load case numbers or the name of a load case type (action). In the latter cases
all load cases matching the criteria will be selected. Especially interesting are:
The load type is the name of the action to which the load case belongs. The
default are the already defined values, but it is possible to redefine all properties
temporarily.
The most important actions are predefined with the INI-file of the design code.
However any combination of up to 4 characters are possible, but 48 reserved
names with destinated meanings are used to trigger special effects in AQB for
the superposition. AQB saves results in the data base of the design for all
combinations (COMB) with an explicit LCST given and for all single load cases
with one of the above types assigned. If a load case should be classified only
temporarily the type (-) may be used.
g
Load case is permanent (always added)
q
Load case is conditional (added if unfavourable)
Load cases are conditional excluding each other
Note:
Prestressing is only taken into consideration when a load case with that type
of action is selected. The factor in the combination will be also applied to the
tension force itself if the action does not have a category. With category 0 or 1
these define the factor for pre-tensioning or post-tensioning only. Beside this the
factor max not be specified differently, only the first definition is taken.
When designing individual load cases with prestressing, therefore, all load cases
must be given a prestress action type.
With a definition of FAT DIN the sectional forces of this load case will be mag-
nified based on the location of the section with a factor between 1.40 and 1.75
The definition of the section type and reference is an essential input to cal-
culate the stresses with the appropriate section. This can be done either by a
global construction stage number or by the section defined explictly in the BEAM
record. he default for CST is CS1 for all load case types except G1 and PR; for
these the default is CS0. Load cases with undefined CS sections are assigned
to the gross section. Therefore, when the CS values are not defined in the BEAM
record, all load cases operate on the gross section.
TITL can be used not only to title a load case which is to be newly defined, but
can also make a later change or expand the name of a load case which is stored
in the database. AQB has various ways of using load cases:
1. No specification for LC
If nothing is specified for LC, all load cases stored in the database are
designed individually. External forces and moments S are processed sep-
arately as load case 0.
2. Specification for LC only
When LC is specified, only these load cases are designed.
3. LC and S
If internal forces and moments are defined after any LC record, they are
saved under this load case and are included in the remaining calculation.
This option not only permits the definition of load cases for sections, but also
allows the inclusion of additional forces and moments in the calculation for
individual sections, even without static design to an existing system. This
causes deletion of results stored under the same load case number.
4. LC and COMB
If design combinations are selected in addition, then only these combina-
tions are designed. The load case types are evaluated only in connection
with these combination regulations. The input of COMB supplements the
possibilities of the program MAXIMA, and allows calculation with divided
safety coefficients, or selection from among traffic load cases.
The internal forces and moments of the load case, if any, must be input immedi-
ately following the LC record. Internal stresses are automatically deleted when
internal forces and moments are input.
The combination coefficients and safety factors will be usually defined with the
generation of the load case. A definition in AQB will be only of temporarily
influence and will not account for any defaults by specifying a load case type.
Only in those cases where forces and moments are defined in AQB explicitly,
the defaults from the corresponding INI-file will be taken.
The items APAR and SUP define the superposition of load cases within an ac-
tion. The default will be taken from the action. However if only one of the values
is specified, the other value will be reset to its default value.
APAR Remark
G permanent action (without PSI-values)
P Prestress (without PSI-values)
Q variable action
A accidental action
E Earthquake action
SUP Remark
PERM use always / permanent
COND conditional (only taken if unfavourable)
EXCL mutually exclusive
UNSI unfavourable sign (eg earth quake)
USEX mutually exclusive with unfavourable sign
ALEX mutually exclusive permanent cases
See also: LC
S
These records can be used to define individual internal forces and moments for
a separate design.
The forces and moments defined with S are normally saved under load case
number 0. The values NO and X are then needed only for identifying the output.
If a load case is given with LC, the internal forces and moments are stored
under the latest defined load case. In this case the section NCS is used only to
define the reference coordinates, and the forces and moments must be input in
increasing sequential order by beam number and x value. Negative x values are
interpreted as dimensions from the beam end.
Axial force and bending moments are referenced to the centroid, torsional mo-
ment and shearing forces to the centre of shear of the section. If a specification
for Y or Z is made, however, then all internal forces and moments are relative
to the so-defined reference point in the section coordinate system. They are
immediately transformed to the centroid or the centre of shear. The torsional
moments the sum from the Saint-Venant part and the secondary torsion from
warping torsion.
Forces and moments without a load case are always expected without the static
determined part of the prestress forces, defined in AQUA for example. However
if load cases or combinations are used, the forces and moments are always the
total sum of all contributions.
See also: LC
COMB
AQBS normally performs its design operations for the selected load cases. With
COMB, combinations of the load cases can be defined instead, as are used in
partial safety theory in many international codes or prestressed concrete.
The combinations must be input before the particular design request is specified,
and will stay in effect for later operations as well, until a new definition is made.
For each combination you may define a load case number LCST to store results.
Then the results are stored under this load case number. These are:
Combined forces and moments (not at EIGE) (incl. all special effects and
transformations)
Stresses for each material and selected stress points or the centre of every
shear cut for STRE. For shear stress in concrete we store for the reference
stress the shear stress due to lateral shear stress only.
Eigenstresses in case of EIGE
non-linear stresses for DESI and NSTR
You may also define for every block of combinations two special load case num-
bers via the combinations GMAX and GMIN with LCST. Then the maximum and
minimum values of the results will be stored via this load case numbers in the
same format.
If TITL is not selected, AQB constructs a name of its own from the involved load
cases.
For each load case a number can be specified; then the load case which is
addressed thereby is added up without regard for its type. As an alternative, a
load type can also be addressed (see record type LC); then all load cases of this
type are addressed and combined as selected within the action definition. e.g:
For the types G1, G2, PR and C, all of the contributing components are
added together (permanent loads). Load type G includes all of the G1 and
G2 load types.
For the type Q, S, F all components will be added if their contribution is
unfavourable (alternate action). This is also valid for ZG, Z1, Z2, ZP, ZC, ZQ
and SG, S1, S2, SP, SC, SQ.
In the cases of all other types, out of all the load cases of the same type,
only the one which yields the least favourable contribution is used. Typical
examples are alternative load cases max-My and min-My, which come from
a development of extreme values or an evaluation of influence lines.
ATTENTION: This behaviour may be changed via the INI-File for any predefined
or user defined action type. Each load case selection may have an additional
factor applied. If there are more than six load cases, then they must be input
with a second record, with the entries AND and EXTR.
With a special superposition type the user may apply the factors for a special
load case combination using safety factors and combination coefficients. There
are available:
MAXD/MIND/MAMD
X
S = g Gk + q,1 Qk,1 + q, 0, Qk, (3.3)
Accidental design combination favourable/unfavourable:
MAXA/MINA/MAMA
X
S = g,A 0,g Gk + A Ad + 1, Qk,1 + 2, Qk, (3.4)
Earthquake design combination favourable/unfavourable:
MAXE/MINE/MAME
X
Se = Gk + A Aed + 2, Qk, (3.5)
Rare (characteristic) combination for serviceability:
MAXR/MINR/MAMR
X
Ss = Gk + Qk,1 + 0, Qk, (3.6)
Frequent combination for serviceability:
MAXF/MINF/MAMF
X
S = Gk + 1, Qk,1 + 2, Qk, (3.7)
non frequent combination for serviceability:
MAXN/MINN/MAMN
X
S = Gk + 01 Qk,1 + 1, Qk, (3.8)
Quasi permanent combination for serviceability:
MAXP/MINP/MAMP
X
Sp = Gk + 2, Qk, (3.9)
For the variable actions Q the first given load case will be treated with the special
combination value, all other will be assigned the right most coefficients. As any
individual load case may have different combination values, one may select such
a value explicitly via a literal for the factor e.g. as follows (see also MAXIMA):
GAM / GAMA
GAMU GAMF
PSI0 0 PSI1 1
PSI2 2 PS1S 01
PSIG / 0 PSIA 0
PSIU 0 PSIF 0
PS1G / 1 PS1A 1
PS1U 1 PS1F 1
PS2G / 2 PS2A 2
PS2U 2 PS2F 2
P1SG / 01 P1SA 01
P1SU 01 P1SF 01
KFI k XSI
(EN 1990, Tab. B.3) (EN 1990 equ. 6.10b)
XSIG / XSIA
XSIU XSIF
KFG k / XKFI k
KFG0 k 0 / KFG1 k 1 /
KFG2 k 2 / KFGS k 01 /
XKGG k / XKGA k
XKGU k XKGF k
ATTENTION: The definition of an explicit factor will always overwrite any other
default factor without any reference on the type of superposition. Further the
leading action will not be selected automatically as within MAXIMA! AQB is de-
signed to allow the build of explicit combinations to find maximum reinforce-
ments.
1.4 G + 1.7 L
1.05 G + 1.275 L + 1.43 E
0.9 G + 1.43 E
With the use of appropriate factors, the superposition can also be defined ac-
cording to maximum corner stresses. If the factor of the axial force is defined as
1.0, then the factors of the moments are given by the ratio of area to moment of
resistance.
In the case of structural frames, for instance, a load case with a large axial force
may be left out of consideration in the maximum combinations of internal forces
and moments, if its moment proportion has a small effect or a favourable one.
Here, those load cases which yield the maximum value 1.0MY0.15N can be
incorporated into the design. (The value 0.15 must be selected appropriately for
the section.) This can be accomplished with the input :
With the use of appropriate factors, the superposition can also be defined ac-
cording to maximum corner stresses. If the factor of the axial force is defined as
1.0, then the factors of the moments are given by the ratio of area to moment of
resistance.
These factors do not act on the forces of the combination itself. They will be
considered only to decide if a load case acts favourable or not. The seldom
case where the factors act also on the combination forces, can be accomplished
through the input of the following EXTR values:
The factors do not act on secondary forces and from reasons of consistency on
internal forces of type prestress.
Other variations are possible, there is however only one factor per section force
allowed. In the case where more factors have been defined, they must be set
before the actual combination record with the keyword FSOL.
DIN Fachbericht 102 uses the lower 5 % fractile value (selected by CLAS in
record NORM)
AASHTO uses the upper fractile value (modulus of rupture) This is to be
selected for NORM US.
With load case type DMR an additional moment is specified for control of crack-
ing in accordance with DIN 4227 or the DAfStb guideline.
E
M1 = 5 105
d
or (3.10)
E
M2 = 15 105
d
DMR creates only additional MY moments; with DMRZ, additional moments for
MZ can be defined also. Except that, additional constant moments DMY and
DMZ are available. They correspond to a temperature difference of 1 degree.
DM1
DM2
DM2
DM1
EIGE
The most common case is the analysis of shrinkage and creep and tendon-
relaxation, but many other effects like non uniform temperature distributions may
be handled as well.
The results are secondary strains and stresses in the section. They are stored
under the load case number of the individual load case, or under the load case
number LCST of the record COMB. These results are deleted, if internal forces
and moments are defined with S for this load case, or if new loads will be defined.
The integral sectional forces may be added to the external forces only informally.
The cross section for which the design should be computed can be defined in
the record LC for a single load case or with the COMB record. If this is not
the case, then the the design is always done with the section with the highest
active construction stage. This default has to be checked thoroughly for complex
structures !
If PHI or EPS is not defined, these values will be established based on the
environment conditions (humidity, temperature), the age of the concrete at time
of loading, the cement class and the effective thickness A/U. For these values
AQB uses the design code associated to the material and not that of the design
task, because we need very specific material data for this. However, one of the
more general methods may be selected with CTRL EIGE.
For Bridges EN 1992-2 defines in section B.105 safety factors for delayed long
term strains to be used, "However, when safety would be increased by overes-
timation of delayed strains, and when it is relevant in the project, the creep and
shrinkage predicted on the basis of the formulas or experimental determinations
should be multiplied by a safety factor." Thus the user has to select these factors
via a definition of CTRL EIGE SAFE. The provisions of the German NA to apply
these factors always for the shrinkage is activated automatically if a bridge class
has been selected.
If T is defined, these basic values PHI and EPS will be modified according to
the evolution in time given by tables or formulas in the design codes. For those
design codes relying on the summation approach (DIN 4227, Japanese and Chi-
nese Code) the delayed elasticity will be incorporated automatically. If one wants
to apply the time evolution function to be applied to the explicit given PHI/EPS-
values, one has to use a negative value for T. For the first creep interval, the
value T0 will control the age for the concrete for creeping and the amount of
shrinkage which has been occurred between TS and T0. If we need the total
shrinkage (e.g. for deformations or stresses with reinforcements) a separate
unloaded shrinking time interval has to be introduced.
The value of TEMP defines then either the temperature in Celsius (0 to 80 de-
gree) during the creep step or, if defined negative the temperature of a thermal
treatment before the creep step. For special cases a definition with an explict
unit allows to specify an explicit scaling factor for the effective age of the con-
crete.
The influence of the temperature on the tendon relaxation (EN 1992-1-1, 10.3.2.)
should be accounted for with an explicit Factor for PHI. The formula (10.2) given
in EN 1992-1-1 yields for Tmax equal to 80 degrees a rapid (43.3 times accel-
erated) relaxation, that the method given in many technical papers to apply an
immediate loss of 4% is precise enough. For very special cases a definition with
For analysis SUM with delayed elasticity (old DIN and Japan and China) the
parts from delayed elasticity are always added if T is specified and applied for
all primary creep results with the corresponding negative value. The order of the
load numbers must correspond to the chronological course in this case. Higher
load case numbers must describe therefore later creep stages. If the PHI value
is given as 0.0, the part from delayed elasticity is suppressed. If one wishes to
determine only the re-creep, a small value must be entered at PHI.
Further it has to be taken care of, that the effective concrete age is based on the
slowly hardening cement, instead of the new coefficients (kz = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5), the
original factors from Rsch (kz = 1.0, 2.0, 3.0) have to be used.
AS 3600 / 5100 provide curves and final factors for creep and shrinkage based
on the effective depth, the environmental conditions and the concrete strength.
Not included are temperature, cements with other sulphate contents or high
stresses. With a definition of EC at PHI a switch to the Eurocode-Formulas may
be achieved.
With the setting CTRL EIGE 1, curvature loads for calculating the statically in-
determinate shares from creep and shrinkage are stored. As a rule, multiple
creep stages are required in that case (e.g. 3 to 5) because STAR2/ASE do
not know the stresses or the forces at the end of an interval. If necessary, the
relaxation parameters can be altered in AQB. If this load case is not calculated
with STAR2/ASE, the calculation for AQB remains unrestrained i.e. statically
determined.
If the centre of a part of a cross section has tensile stresses, the creeping coeffi-
cients are reduced with the utilisation of this stress to the mean tensile strength.
(See CTRL EIGE 32)
STRE
Notes on SMOD:
E: Evaluation of maximum stresses for every force principal and von
Mises yield stress in all sectional points.
B: Evaluation of the utilisation factors for every individual component
and a simplified linear superposition of the linear total utilisation.
C: Evaluation of the utilisation factors for every individual component
and a complex interaction of these components.
In all cases the elastic stress will be evaluated, as this is required to define a
sectional class. If the section is in class 3, the allowable stresses will be checked
and their utilisation is save to the data base as relevant utilisation. If the section
is in class 1 or 2, the resistance of the cross section for any individual force is
calculated and for option P a simple linear addition of all utilization degrees will
be saved to the database as total utilisation, while option C will store a complex
interaction based on the provisions of the Eurocode (1993/1999).
Additional tables for every section if ECHO TABS has been set which is also the
default value. Loadcases with the extreme values of stresses or utilisation
factors may be created in the data base by a preceding COMB GMAX/GMIN.
D: Suggested dimensions
Depending on the section class an estimate for the required dimen-
sions of the cross section is made based on allowable stresses or
plastic sectional capacities. For rectangle, circle, and steel shapes
a rather detailed analysis is performed, while for all other sections,
a linear scaling factor for the dimensions factor is evaluated. In
the cases of rectangular sections, the width or height can be fixed
when defining the section. Option DE will use only the allowable
stresses for the dimensioning.
DG: Similar to option D. However sections will be selected from a group
of sections. A group is defined via a sequence of cross section
with continuous section numbers and increasing load capacities.
The first section of a group will differ only in the last digit of the
current section number. If sections with numbers 8,9,10,11 and 12
are defined, then the program may select instead of section 8 and 9
any of these numbers while for sections 10, 11 and 12 only the last
Stresses from the combinations are stored if LCST is specified in the record
COMB. Without COMB, the stresses of the individual load cases are saved, if
they were specifically defined with a design type (e.g. LC type (D)).
A literal can be entered for STYP. Then the permissible stresses and any special
features of the codes are preset. Explicit input of the limiting stresses is now only
necessary in special cases.
An explicit different value for a stress, for example should only be used to answer
what if questions. Normally the defined values of AQUA should be used via
the unspecified literals H.
A number can also be specified for SMOD. In that case the permissible stresses
for the material which corresponds to this number is defined differently. SMOD
0 describes the stresses of all materials. However, this does not start the stress
check itself. That has to be done with a later record which has a normal input
for SMOD.
The permissible stresses are set in the sequence of the records entered. All un-
defined materials are set to the values specified in the final STRE input. If STRE
is activated more than once, all material definitions must be entered before the
corresponding STRE record. STRE only with the material number causes a
calculation of the stresses with the option E.
For steel and aluminium a literal from the following table can be input. Then the
values with [ N/mm2 ] are set accordingly.
The design for axially compressed beams in accordance with DIN 18800 Part
2 / EC 3 is also included under the stress design in AQB, since it is normally
used for lateral shifting perpendicular to the plane of the structure and for truss
braces.
For the design based on ultimate forces, the utilisation level of every individual
component will be analyzed first, the a linear and a more sofisticated interaction
rule will be applied. We use the EC 3 / BS for section classes 1 and 2 (see
). DIN 18800 has different Interaction formulas, but allows the usage of other.
More precise values may be obtained via NSTR.
For design codes with globale safety class factors, it is possible to specify such
a factor at STRE, either as number for STYP or as separate item SCMG. Then
all admissable stresses and plastic resistances will be multiplied with this factor.
For timber all admissible stresses have been defined with the material definition
in AQUA, so only the Literal H has to be specified to select these values. For
design according to DIN 1052 old the literal HZ may be also selected which will
produce values raised by 25 %. For very special cases you may select arbitrary
factors via the item GRZA (2nd Order Theory or older versions of the design
code).
According EN 1995 / DIN 1052-2008 AQUA has defined five factors (kmod) for
variant load durations. All load cases may have a type corresponding to that
duration. AQB will then select the correct factor depending on the load cases
involved in the combination.
permss. b
n + b < permss. b
permss. n
permss. b
n + b < permss. b
permss. n
as well as
permss. t
+ t < permssbe t
permss.
or
permss. t
+ t < permss. t
permss. permss.
With that the interaction conditions are verified for m=1 and m=2. The value
for permissible t can be tuned with TAUW. It should be pointed out that this
type of stresses will be checked only for the outer borders of the cross section.
For torsional stresses in the middle area as it will occur for a boxed section the
torsional stress is limited to the TAU value as it is also used for the shear force.
compressive strength and bending strength due to axial and lateral buckling.
n m,0,d
+ b + km b < m,0,d (3.11)
kc c,0,d
VH Set LIMA 0.00 for tensile stresses in concrete for the check of
decompression, else as BH. Depending on the category of the
structure, this has to be checked for non-frequent, frequent or
quasi-permanent actions. The value will be checked only in the
prestressed tensile region.
BH For rare (characteristic) or non-frequent combinations:
0.60fck for compressive stresses in concrete
0.80fyk for stresses in concrete steel
0.75fpk for stresses in prestressing steel (EC)
0.80fpk / 0.90 fyk for stresses in prestressing steel (DIN)
VZ For quasi permanent actions:
0.45fck for compressive stresses in concrete (if creep and shrink-
age is essential)
0.65fpk for stresses in prestressing steel (DIN 11.1.4),
otherwise as BH
For designs in accordance with DIN 4227 Part 1, the following can be entered
as STYP for the serviceability limit:
Tendons without bond (R=0.0 in AQUA) have higher admissible stresses accord-
ing to DIN 4227 part 6.
For designs in accordance with Austrian Norm OeNorm 4250 or B 4253 the
following can be entered as STYP for serviceability conditions:
For DIN 4227 the input of define STRE E UL does not only start the design of the
stresses in Zone a, but also the limiting stresses for shear design under cracked
condition in Zone b using DESI. For this reason, the meanings of some values
have been changed. Here the values TAU, SV and TAUS stand for values from
Table 9, lines 56, 59 and 61, and the values SSTM to SSKR stand for the values
from lines 53, 50, 54, 52, and 55. So a design is done when one of the shear
stress or principal tensile stress components exceeds the following limits:
V > SSEM
or T > SSTM or SSER
or V+T > SSKM or SSKR
As the value SSEM is also used for the specification of the inclination of the truss
model, a full shear analysis should be triggered by specifying SSKR 0.001.
V < TAU
and T < SV
and V+T < TAUS
and < CC (Webs) resp. CBC (Flanges)
If no record STRE has been defined with ULnn, the entire shear design is done
by DESI in cracked conditions. Otherwise a differentiation is made between
Zones a and b depending upon the maximum uniaxial extreme fibre stress LIMA,
and only sections in Zone b are designed. For the stresses found with STRE,
transitions of the limits are noted only in Zone a. Specification of GRZA 0 will
perform both types of design, using the specified stress limits, but the required
reinforcement is taken only from the design for zone b.
The volume of the tensile stresses is evaluated for the design combination which
yields the tensile strength of the concrete. From that a required reinforcement is
evaluated, which is covered with the defined reinforcement layers and a reduced
area of the tendons. Item SD is used for the crack width in mm according to
Table 20 (default 0.3), SZ may be used to specify a factor k explicitly, at SBZ
an explicit factor for the tensile strength may be specified. LIMA is the limit
value of the tensile stresses (default -1 N/mm2 ). The distinction between the
two formulas 7.2 and. 7.3 for the evaluation of k_c requires an intelligence not
available in AQB. AB considers the ratio between the area of the tensile zone to
the product of the height of the tensile zone and the minimum web thickness to
interpolate between the two formulas.
forcements:
There is also a control flag CTRL REIN, defining if the reinforcements should be
increased or not. The latter to be used for the analysis of existing structures.
SUPE cannot be used during an iteration, since then the maximum reinforce-
ment for an iteration step will not be able to be reduced. ASE/STAR2 therefore
ignore a specification of SUPE, as long as convergence has not been reached.
AQB can update or superpose the reinforcements at a later time: with REIN
RMOD SUPE but without any DESI input. A specification of BEAM, SPAN,
GLOB or TOTL under MOD refers to interpolated sections or sections with the
same section number. For all connected ranges with the same section, the
maximum for the range multiplied with SFAC is incorporated as the minimum
reinforcement. The design is done separately in each case for each load, how-
ever, so that the user can recognize the relevant load cases. As the existing
reinforcement has a considerable impact on the shear design, AQB will perform
an intermediate superposition after the design for normal force and bending mo-
ments. However, use of minimum reinforcement in ultimate load design has
also a detrimental effect on the shear reinforcement, since the lever of internal
forces is reduced. The user can take the appropriate precautions by specifying
a minimum lever arm in AQUA.
Since this latter effect is especially strong with tendons, AQBS can give special
effect to the latter in ultimate load design. This option is controlled with ZGRP:
ZGRP = 0 Tendons are considered with both their area and their pre-
stressing. Normal reinforcement is specified at the minimum
percentage.
1 2 3 4
SECT
BEAM
SPAN
GLOB
If ZGRP < > 0 has been specified, the tendons are grouped into tendon groups.
The group is calculated by the integer part from dividing the identification number
of the tendon by ZGRP. For the printout the groups are identified by characters
to distinguish them from the reinforcement layers. Group "P" contains the total
area and the prestress forces only, group Z is the group 0 which is always
applied with its full area, while groups "A" to "D" identify the optional groups.
Any group number higher than 4 is assigned to group "D". The use of different
steel materials in the same group may lead to slightly inconsistent results and
will be flagged with a warning.
Assume that tendons with the numbers 1,11,12,21,22 and 101 have been de-
fined. With the appropriate inputs for ZGRP, the following division is obtained:
Default Typical
P7 Weighting factor, axial force 5 0.5 - 50
P8 Weighting factor moments -2 -2
When designing, the strain plane is iterated by the BFGS method. The
required reinforcement is determined in the innermost loop according to
the minimum of the squared errors.
F1 = P7 (zm zmn)P8
F2 = P7 (ym ymn)P8
The default value for P8 leads to the same dimensions for the errors. The
value of P7 has been determined empirically. With symmetrical reinforce-
ment and tension it is better to choose a smaller value, with multiple layers
and compression a larger one. For small maximum values of the reinforce-
ment the value of P7 should be increased.
Default Typical
P9 Factor for reference point of strain 1.0 1.0
Default Typical
P10 Factor for reference point of moments 1.0 0.2-1.0
Lack of convergence in the design with biaxial loading can generally be at-
tributed to the factors no longer shaping the problem convexly, so that there
are multiple solutions or none. In these cases the user can increase the
value of P7 or can vary the value of P10 between 0.2 and 1.0, for individual
sections. In most cases, however, problems are caused by specifying the
minimum reinforcement improper.
P11 Factor for preference outer reinforcement
Reinforcement which is only one third of the lever arm, is allowed to be
maximum one third of the area of the outer reinforcement. P11 is the factor
to control this. For biaxial bending P11=1.0, for uniaxial bending P11=0.0
Design may be performed for various safety concepts. When designing for ul-
timate load or combinations with divided safety factors, the load factor must be
contained in the internal forces and moments. One way to accomplish this is
with the COMB records.
With KSV and KSB will be controlled the material law. As the correct default is
taken from the INI-file selected with the design code NORM, it is only for very
special cases that you may enter:
The safety factors referenced above refer to the values defined with the material
in AQUA. Without D only the factors defined in the INI file or the explicitly de-
fined values SC1 to SS2 of the DESI record are applied. However the additional
safety factor for high strength concrete of DIN will be applied additionally. The
printout will flag global safety factors.
If the values defined in DESI are < 1.0 or negative or SC1 is not equal SC2
(e.g. ACI or odl DIN) or the design code has special provisions for that
(SNIP), the safety factors are multiplicative. Printed stresses contain only
the safety factors of the materials.
In all other cases the value from the material will be taken instead of the de-
fault value of DESI. However if the safety factor is explicitly defined with DESI
with a value > 1 the option D will be deactivated with a warning. (Attention:
has been changed Sept. 2008)
If a design without any safety factors is required, all saftey factors have to be
specified as 1.0 which will then change the default for KSV/B to UL.
PL resp. PLD will modify for some design codes (DIN, EC, ACI) the stress strain
law to a constant equivalent stress block, i.e. the stress value and the strain
range will be modified according to the provisions of those codes.
With the special definition of SS1 NRIL the safety factors of the reinforce-
ments will be set to 1.05 and 1.10 according to the provisions of the German
Nachrechnungsrichtlinie, also the ordinates of those reinforcements will be
reduced then by an offset of 20 resp. 10 m.
The minimum reinforcements AM1 to AM4 are preset according to the design
code (INI file) and apply to all cross sections; they are input as a percentage of
the section area.
Note:
The statically determined portion of the forces and moments of prestressing is
always deducted when determining the external forces and moments. This con-
tribution is found from the location of the tendons and their tensile force. AQB
only: A specification of the bifurcation factor BETA in record BEAM is changed to
additional moments according to DIN 1045 17.4.3 resp. Eurocode 4.3.5.6. resp.
DIN 1045 neu 5.6.4. resp. OeNORM B 4700 2.4.3. or other design codes. The
design will always generate both bending axis. The output of the extra moments
is given with the forces of the combinations.
Defaults for strain limits and safety coefficients depend on the selected design
code and the type of load combination. They may be specified in the INI-file of
the design code. If SC1 and SC2 are defined different (e.g. old DIN 1045, ACI),
then the safety factors of the reinforcements will be also interpolated if SS1 is
equal to SC1.
The maximum strain depends on the stress-strain curve. The value of 2.2 is
reduced for example at the old DIN or high strength concrete automatically. The
EN and the DIN suggest to limit the strain also for the midpoint of compressive
flanges. This option may be selected by defining a value of C2 as positive (select
teh control) or negative (disable the control).
The values Z1 and Z2 do not limit the range of possible strains, but the maximum
corresponding values are used as strain increments for the tension members in
the section. This is necessary, for instance, when designing with partial pre-
stressing under DIN 4227 Part 2.
According to EN 1992 5.5 (4) or DIN 1045-1 8.2/8.3 (3) the height of the com-
pressive zone should be limited to achieve a certain ductility. (e.g. not larger
than 0.45 d, or 0.35 d for high strength concrete). As the maximum compressive
strain is fixed (3.5 o/oo), this is equivalent to the request that the steel strain has
at least a value of S1 (4.278 for x/d=0.45). If this is not fulfilled a compressive
reinforcement is needed and a minimum shear link according to DIN 1045-1
13.1.1. (5) has to be provided. A negative definition of S1 either explicitly or via
the INI-file will define the value of S1 depending on the strength of the concrete,
the ductility and the required degree of redistribution = DELR. This is especially
required if redistribution of moments is intended.
This design operation is also suitable for non-reinforced sections. In that case
the program produces internal forces and moments which are in the same pro-
portion to each other as the external forces and moments. The safety factors
SC1 and SC2 have to be defined dependent on the design code. The program
then shows the relative load carrying capacity and prints a warning if this should
fall below 1.0.
The shear design finds the lever of internal forces for all load cases with com-
pression and tension forces in the section, and finds the shear stress and shear
reinforcement resulting from shearing force and torsion. The shear stress limits
are set automatically depending on SMOD and the material. Deviating values
for the shear stress limits can be defined within AQB with a record STRE (under
4227 only) or TVS. Since in case of excess of the shear stress limits no design
more occurs, this can be exceeded onto own responsibility of the user with a
tolerance.
For the reduction of the shear capacity for tensile members the normal stress
pc is limited to the value MSCD. The default is selected with the mean tensile
strength fctm .
Consideration of the shift of the envelope line of the tensile force (shift rule)
depends upon the CTRL option VM. The ratio Ved/Vrd,max and the value of the
shift will be saved to the database.
For sections with tendons, the bond stress for every tendon will be evaluated
according to DIN 4227 chapter 13 as the increment in tendon force divided by
the periphery and the length given by BETA in record BEAM. (Use negative
factors for bending members)
With NSTR a non linear stress and strain evaluation determination is performed.
This contains checks in the cracked estate or nonlinear checks in general.
Byproducts are the determination of stress ranges or crack widths and non
linear stiffnesses, to be used in subsequent analysis with STAR2 / ASE or DYNA.
Defining CHK options will check the stresses in the section or reinforcements.
A violation of these limits will be marked, but no countermeasures will be taken
like an increase of reinforcements, as the non linear dependencies doe not allow
to solve this easily.
The calculation can be carried out with different material values and safeties.
This is controlled by the definition of the load condition. A default for this state
is only provided if the definitions to DESI and NSTR give a unique selection.
The load condition selects then the defaults for KSV and KSB, which may be
overwritten explicitly. Meant in this case:
Serviceability KSV=KSB=SL
Ultimate limit state Is defined in the INI file (e.g.
KSV=SLD, KSB=SL)
Accidental (ACCI) KSV=KSB=SL
Non linear (NONL) KSV=KSB=CAL
NSTR ULTI
KMIN 0.
Very large (fully plastic) strains will be created. Internal forces will not always
have the same ratio to the given moments and shear forces, but a mean
value as a relative bearing capacity will be printed. Clause 755 will be applied
directly unless KMIN > 0 is given explicitly. This option is mainly intended to
obtain points of a complete interaction curve, but not for checks for a given
set of forces and moments.
Design plastic-plastic
When iterating with ASE / STAR2 and NSTR a calculation according to the
yield zone theory is possible. A limit on the plastic moment as requested for
the plastic hinge method is not necessary and should be deactivated with
KMIN 0.
The design check of the c/t-ratio has differences for the elastic design and the
design tasks elastic-plastic or nonlinear (plastic-plastic):
If the yield strength is not reached, the section will be checked against the
slenderness of class 3, respective the augmented values for small stresses.
If the yield stress is exceeded, the limit values of sectional classes 2 (NSTR
SERV/ULTI) or 1 (all other NSTR options) will be checked . If these limits are
exceeded, the section will be classified as class 4.
Is the section classifed as class 4, the non effective parts according EN 1993-
1-5 will be calculated and taken into account.
Specifying a value for CRAC will perform a check of the crack width and/or the
limit diameter with the diameters and distances defined in AQUA and possible
reference areas. Non specified distances are calculated for a linear reinforce-
ment based on the total area and the specified diameter, but not larger than the
maximum allowed value taken from the INI-file. If required, AQB will try to fulfill
the requirements by an increase of the provided reinforcements, unless CTRL
The parameter CW is in nearly all cases the necessary crack width (wk, cal) and
will be preset accordingly. The utilisation factor for the crack width is the ratio
of the achieved crack width to the requested value. If CW is defined as 999 the
increase of the reinforcements will be deactivated and the utilisation factor is the
absolute crack width.
In all cases it is possible to specify a direct admissable stress value with SIGS.
DIN 1045-1 does not need any other factors for the crack width itself. For non-
linear methods including Tension Stiffening however formulas are given in Paper
525 of DAfStB section 8.5 (page 36), BB is used to specify the value t .
For B 4700 the value BB will control an interpolation between tables 7/8 and
9/10. BB=1 selects mostly constraining, while BB=0 (default) selects mostly
loading (no constraint).
Because not only the codes to the crack width but also their interpretation
change continuously, it is very probable that with different versions different re-
sults show up.
DIN 4227:
The more recent design check according to Appendix A1 is selectable via record
STRE. NSTR calculates the obsoleted original form where CW is the factor for
environmental conditions. The following values can be used:
BS 5400 / IS 456:
These design codes classify three possible crack width values (0.30, 0.20 and
0.10 mm). For the analysis we need the nominal cover Cnom of table 13 (BS
5400-4) resp. table 16 of IS 456 to be specified at item HMIN. The tension
stiffening effect is introduced by a stress of BB at the height of the centroid of
the reinforcement.
We have the following possibilities, where the value of Cnom should be specified
with item HMIN in [ mm] :
BS 5400 according equ. 25 is applied if this design code has been selected.
The ratio (1-Mq/Mg) can be taken from the permanent load cases within a
combination. If single load cases are used, the parameter BB may be used
to specify an explicit ratio. The value of Cnom has to be specified with HMIN,
there is no default.
For BS 8110 and IS 456 we have the following: If BB is defined as the tensile
stress a reduction of the strain is performed based on the triangular tensile
stress distribution. If BB = 0, the approximation of BS/IS for rectangular
sections is used instead.
AS 5100 / 3600:
For these design codes, BB defines with values of 1 or 2 the allowable steel
stress according to the SLS or the permanent effects following AS 5100 clause
8.6.1.(c). For tendons an additional check for 200 MPa on the stress increments
according 8.6.2. is performed if the tensile stress of the concrete exceeds the
tensile strength. Explicit values for the stresses may be specified also with BB,
where the original enum of the table has to be shifted to the fractional part. (eg.
190.2). The printout will show either the concrete stress with a preceeding c
or the tendon stress with a preceeding t.
SNIP 2.03.01:
For the design you have to select a crack width. The calculation of the crack
width is done for the completed crack pattern according to equation 144. The
input value BB is used for an explicit parameter , which is in general preset by
the concrete class.
EHE:
This Spanish design code is rather similar to the Eurocode (BB is factor k2). It
classifies four possible crack width values (0.40, 0.30, 0.20 and 0.10 mm). But
then then formulas for the effective height and the crack distance and the mean
strain quite different. Thus there is no dependency on the bond properties of
the reinforcements. The distance of the longitudinal bars is always taken as 15
, because we have not enough information available for more details. Tension
stiffening is treated as with EC 2.
Selection of the optimum iteration method is not easy, because the selected
type of stiffness update determines the iteration and convergence behaviour. In
most cases the use of KMOD S1 or SN will be straight forward. KMOD SN is
the fastest method for slightly nonlinear problems, while S1 is suited for highly
loaded systems where it may happen that the ultimate load capacity of a section
is exceeded within an iteration step. For the methods K0, K1 or KN the stiffness
will be kept constant, but plastic strains are calculated, to be used as extra load-
ing as initial strains similar to a temperature loading. Using this approach the
failure of the system is no longer given by an instability detected during the so-
lution of the equation system, but by monotone increasing deformations, which
have to be checked carefully therefore.
The user should start with SN for lightly loaded systems and with S1 for more
heavily loaded systems, and should then shift to K1 or K0 if necessary. When
there are many similar systems, it pays to find the optimum method by experi-
mentation.
With critical systems, which exceed their loading capacity in the course of the it-
eration, it may be necessary to limit the maximum acceleration factor with FMAX.
A value of less than 1.0 damps the iteration procedure. A value of 0.0 turns the
procedure off. The default of FMAX is 2.0 at a calculation with NSTR KMOD SN
and CTRL INTE 4.
AQB will keep track of maximum and minimum stress and will compare the re-
sulting difference with a given threshhold value specified for concrete and Steel
with AQUA. A value of SIGS from this record will limit the values of all reinforce-
ments to that given value. Such a global definition will deactivate some specific
stress modifications of the design codes however.
Unless a definition of CTRL REIN FIX/FIXL has been specified, AQB will in-
crease the area of passive reinforcements accordingly, if the limit value for the
reinforcements is exceeded. But there will be no reanalysis of the load cases
with the changed values. All printed results are therefore valid for the reinforce-
ment before the analysis. Special notice should be given to the fact, that without
a preliminary design only the minimum reinforcements for longitudinal and shear
links are used.
For the fatigue design check according to DIN 1045-1 resp. DIN FB-102 the Lit-
eral FAT DINF should be entered, further definitions might be done with records
LC and BEAM or within the material definition (AQUA).
It might be helpful to increase the volume of print out via ECHO NSTR EXTR in
such cases.
ECHO
With ECHO the volume of the output is controlled. While the default (YES) cre-
ates a minimum printout with the most important data in a single line, the defi-
nition of a pure option with (the default input) value FULL will created additional
but still compact output.
The value EXTR will create as much information as possible, which will be split
in several tables in general. Some special options will be availabe separately by
special items.
The record name ECHO must be specified with each input record to avoid am-
biguities with the the record names.
ECHO BSEC
NO Only sections explicitly selected with BEAM
YES All sections selected for printing
FULL All sections
ECHO LC
NO Only extreme values of stresses / reinforcement
YES Load case 0 and combination (superposition) load cases
FULL All single load cases
ECHO SECT
NO Table is omitted
YES Output for construction stage sections
EXTR Output for all sections as well as cross section parts of the
tendon groups
ECHO FORC
NO Table is omitted
YES Only the forces and moments for load case 0
FULL Forces and moments of the selected load cases
EXTR Forces and moments of the combinations
COMP additional forces and moments for every material for compos-
ite sections (available only within AQBS)
ECHO SSUM
Prints maximum forces and moments per section for all load
cases
YES Only one line per section
FULL Max and min per section
EXTR Max and min also for every load case
ECHO COMB
YES Table of the combinations is output
FULL Internal forces and moments of combinations are output
EXTR Factors of the superposition will be printed
ECHO EIGE
YES Output of effective creep and shrinkage coefficients, resulting
forces and moments and stresses
FULL Creep-inducing forces of partial section per creep load case
with applied creep coefficients Internal forces of partial sec-
tion, total resultant forces, shear force components and de-
termined strain and curvature modifications
EXTR Additional output of the evaluation of the creep coefficients.
ECHO STRE
OFF no print at all
NO print only stresses above limits
YES Main values / + / / / /
FULL including stress components of the individual forces
EXTR Stresses in stress points (SELE)
ELEM Stresses in important points (SELE)
FAT Enable Fatigue design check of stresses
ALL Stresses in all sectional elements (SELE)
ECHO SHEA
YES Only maximum values are output
FULL Uncracked stage I:
All sections in zone A are output
Cracked stage II:
All sections are output
Output of ratios of available to permissible shear force / tor-
ECHO TABS
ECHO TABS prints detailed tables of the stresses for every
beam section. It is treated as a bit encoded number which
contains the following options:
NO Table is omitted (default)
TEND Single prestress tendons instead of groups (1)
SIG Normal stresses (2)
TAU Shear stresses (4)
FAT Stress ranges for normal and shear stresses (8)
ECHO USEP
This option controls the output of used utilisation factors
YES Printout of the values after a check (default)
FULL Printout of detailed values
ECHO DESI
NO Table is omitted
YES Table will be output
FULL Lever arm of the internal forces and tension force after dis-
placement of the envelope line will be output.
EXTR Additionally the stresses in the tendon groups in beam beam
section as well as the max. and min. edge strains for the
materials
ECHO REIN
NO Tables are omitted
YES Only table with the maximum reinforcement
FULL Table with the maximum reinforcement and individual design
(distribution of deformation, shear etc.)
EXTR Reinforcement for each rank for NSTR (crack width) as well
as extended output of the maximum reinforcement (only
when GLOB and TOTA are in effect)
ECHO NSTR
YES Internal forces, stresses and location of neutral axis, effective
stiffness
FULL In addition strains and curvatures and maximum and mini-
mum stresses
EXTR Strains and stresses for all materials and in selected stress
points of the section
ELEM Strains and stresses for all selected elements in section
COMP Tensile and compressive components including internal lever
STIF Plastic strains and tangential stiffness for nonlinear analysis
SEFF Show effective stiffness as ratio instead of elasticity moduli
ECHO FAT
YES Print checks for beam sections exceeding the limits
FULL Print checks for all beam sections
EXTR Print checks for all selected stress points of the section
ELEM Print checks for all selected elements in section
ECHO C2T
OFF No check, but evaluation of be for NSTR
NO No output, utilisation c/t ratio is printed
YES only plates with exceeding c/t ratios
FULL maximum untilisation of c/t ratios
EXTR All c/t values for all plates for buckling
The output of the c/t ratio depends on the type of the check:
STRE E (sectional class 3 resp. elastic-elastic)
The output is printed in the table Stresses, if
ECHO C2T is defined.
STRE C (sectional class 1 or 2, elastic-plastic)
The advanced check for section class 1 or 2 is
done only in case of plasticized areas.
If these areas do not appear, then the check
elastic-plastic is done here also.
NSTR ULTI (sectional class 1 or 2 resp. table 15 DIN 18800
part1, elastic-plastic)
The output is printed in the table Nonlinear
Stresses, if ECHO C2T is defined.