Automatic rigid-zone area over column

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 Added by Mike Abell, last edited by Truly Guzman on Sep 23, 2016 (view change)
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Rigid zones are used to model the physical overlap between columns/walls and slab, which prevents
deformation of the slab at the column location. This also will have the effect of producing maximum
design moments at face of columns/walls instead of center line of columns/walls. This in turn will
produce less reinforcement and hence a more economical design, and allowed by most codes(i.e
ACI-318). Deformations also will be more realistic in this case.

Should I apply rigid zones when checking punching shear?

Extended Question: I am finding large differences in the moment demands for punching shear
when rigid zones are applied over columns. Is there an explanation for this behavior, and is there a
recommendation for whether or not to include this option?
Answer: When the option to Include Automatic Rigid Zone Area Over Column is specified, the
rigidity of the connection increases, causing deflection and slab reinforcement to decrease. Further,
unbalanced moments generally increase, leading to higher punching shear ratios.
While this modeling decision is at the discretion of the engineer, we generally recommend including
the rigid zones over column objects.

How do I eliminate the negative moment at the face of walls?

Answer: To decrease or eliminate negative moments, remove the rigid areas located over columns
and walls, and uncheck the Wall Takes Out-of-plane Moments option. When walls are not
unidirectional, or when they do not follow the direction of design strips, slab continuity will cause
some negative moment which is usually small or negligible.
Results may be further improved by decreasing the maximum mesh size.

Why does SAFE restrain Rx and Ry on top of columns above slabs,

but not walls above slabs?
Answer: For vertical systems that extend above slabs, restraints are applied to the top of columns,
but not walls, because large moment values will then develop along the top of walls. We generally
recommend that you do not apply restraints to the top of walls. To manually attach the top of walls
and columns to a rigid diaphragm above, select Run > Advanced Modeling Options > Add Special
Constraints.

Suggestions
 Height of columns and walls – Slab response and design is dependent upon the height of columns
and walls both above and below the slab. We recommend modeling the full height of these vertical
systems. Height is changed as follows.

 Slab-column connections – Standard practice is to model rigid zones at slab-column connections.

Since this will reduce the clear span between column locations, vertical slab deflection will also
decrease. Another effect is that the magnitude of maximum negative moment (at column locations)
will decrease. This is because moment is then taken at the face of the column and not at the
centroid. Without modeling rigid zones at slab-column connections, results will be more
conservative.

 Meshing complex slabs – It may be best to manually mesh slabs of irregular or curvilinear
geometry. The automatic-meshing algorithms may not sufficiently capture all intricacies of complex
models. Manual meshing ensures proper discretization, and allows analysis to run as intended.
LONG TERM DEFLECTION
OLD ARTICLE
As recommended in the ACI 435R95 report (section 4.3.3),

CSI Software has reduced the default modulus-of-rupture value from 7.5√f 'c to 4√f 'c.This change
has been documented as Incident # 19168 in the CSI Release Notes.
Through manual overwrite, users are welcome to comply with the previous 7.5√f 'c value, or apply
another value based on engineering judgment or project requirements. This is done by selecting Run
> Cracking Analysis > Cracking Modulus of Rupture > User Specified, shown in Figure 1:

Figure 1 - Overwrite modulus of rupture

NEW ARTICLE

ACI: As recommended in the ACI 435R95 report (section 4.3.3),SAFE uses a default modulus-of-
rupture value of 4√f 'c. PSI
For British, Hong Kong, Indian and Singapore Standards: Default modulus of rupture for cracked
deflection is limited to 1 MPa or 0.55 MPa in short term and in long term deflection calculations,
respectively.
For Australian and New Zealand codes: fr= 0.36√f 'c MPa
For Canadian code: fr= 0.3√f 'c MPa
For Euro-code:

Through manual overwrite by checking radio button of User Specified, users can comply with any
other value based on engineering judgment or project requirements. This is done by selecting Define
> Materials... > Modify/Show Material... as shown in Figure 1:

Figure 1 - Overwrite modulus of rupture