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Computer Analysis & Reinforced Concrete Design of Beams

COMPUTER ANALYSIS & REINFORCED

CONCRETE DESIGN OF BEAMS

By
FADY R. S. ROSTOM

Fady R. S. Rostom Page-1

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Computer Analysis & Reinforced Concrete Design of Beams

ABSTRACT

This project deals with the creation of a computer application that analyzes and designs
structural beams. The project also aims at emphasizing the importance of computers in
the solution of everyday engineering problems.

The program developed analyses one, two and three-span beams and includes a module
for the design of reinforced concrete beams. This program was created using the
relatively new Actionscript language.

The project also discusses various theoretical analysis techniques that can be
implemented in developing a computer program. The main theoretical methods used in
this project are Moment Distribution and Macaulay’s Method. The Reinforced concrete
design is based on the BS8110 code.

This report acts as a support document for the created software. It describes the program
in detail and highlights the methodologies used in its development.

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Computer Analysis & Reinforced Concrete Design of Beams

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements 3

Abstract 4

Contents 5

CH.1: INTRODUCTION 8

1.1 Computer Application in the Civil & Structural Engineering Industry 8

1.1.1 Structural Analysis & Design Software 9

1.2 Scope & Aims of Project 10

1.3 Project Overview 11

CH.2: LITERATURE REVIEW 12

2.1 Programming Language Review 13

2.2.1 Basic Elements of Actionscript 13

2.2 Analytical Theories Review 16

2.2.1 Macaulay’s Method 16

2.2.2 Moment Area Method 19

2.2.3 Conjugate Beam Method 22

2.2.4 Virtual Work Method 23

2.2.5 The Unit Load Method 24

2.2.6 Influence Line Theory 25

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Computer Analysis & Reinforced Concrete Design of Beams

2.2.7 The Three Moment Equation (Clapeyron’s Theorem) 27

2.2.8 Stiffness & Flexibility Methods 29

2.2.9 Slope Deflection Method 32

2.2.10 Moment Distribution Method 35

2.3 Reinforced Concrete Beam Design Review 42

2.3.1 Composite Action 42

2.3.2 Limit State Design 44

2.3.3 Bending & the Equivalent Stress Block 45

2.3.4 Rectangular Section with Compression Reinforcement

at the Ultimate Limit state 48

CH. 3: PROGRAM REVIEW & APPLICATIO N 52

3.1 Single Span Beams 53

3.2 Two Span Beam Analysis 59

3.3 Three Span Beam Analysis 65

3.4 Reinforced Concrete Beam Design 72

CH. 4: DISCUSSION 80

4.1 Single Span Beam Analysis 81

4.2 Two & Three Span Load Swap Modules 85

4.3 Two Span Beam Analysis 92

4.4 Three Span Beam Analysis 99

4.5 Reinforced Concrete Beam Design Module 113

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Computer Analysis & Reinforced Concrete Design of Beams

4.6 Program Limitations 122

4.6 General Program Discussions 123

CH. 5: CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS 125

5.1 Conclusion 125

5.2 Recommendations 128

CH. 6: SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 129

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Code Printouts for the Main Program 131

Appendix B: Code Printouts for the Profile Plotting Module 252

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