Column Design Assistant#
This task offers the possibility to organize and design all reinforced concrete columns that are modelled in the same project by using the nominal curvature method.
This chapter of the documentation focuses on the user input with the graphical user interface.
See also
Find out more about the theoretical principles of column design in the respective chapter in the column manuel (find here: SSD -> Help -> User Manuals -> All Manuals -> column).
This task should manage design group classifications centrally, so it is only possible to add it one time in a project.
When open the task for the first time, there will be a default design group classification which puts all columns with the same length, cross section (which includes material) and element type together in one group.
Design Group Navigator#
On the left side of the task the Design Group Navigator is located. Its functionalities are always available when you click through the tabs on the right-hand side. The Design Group Navigator offers the possibility to manage the Design Groups with the following options:
Add and delete manually created Design Groups with the corresponding icons in the ribbon at the top
Automatic grouping: a new automatic grouping can be created optionally according to cross sections, lengths and storeys
Activate and deactivate design groups for calculation: a Design Group will not be calculated if the checkbox at Active is not activated
Rename design groups by clicking on the name
Choosing element types for design groups (one group can only contain SLN or DSLNs): use the dropdown at Element type for this
Control the behaviour of the settings that are done in the corresponding tabs that are described further on
Design Case: here it is possible to choose in which design case the required reinforcement per column and in which design case the maximum reinforcement per group is saved
Load case combinations: see chapter Combinations
GUI Task Column Design Assistant - Design Group Navigator (click on image to enlarge)#
Selection#
Show the properties of every column that is modelled in the project. In addition, this table shows the reinforcement and the degree of reinforcement of the last calculation for the design cases used there.
It is also possible to change the Design Groups for every column individually by selecting one or multiple columns and using the dropdown at Design Group.
GUI Task Column Design Assistant - Selection Tab (click on image to enlarge)#
Control parameters#
Here all the properties for the design can be seen and modify. The parameters will be set for the selected design group in the design group navigator. It is also possible to select several groups and change parameters for all selected at once.
GUI Task Column Design Assistant - Control parameters Tab (click on image to enlarge)#
Combinations#
Automatic as well as user defined load case combinations can be defined here.
For automatic generated load case combinations there are two options:
Automatic for all groups (located in the button of the Design Group Navigator): this button generates automatic load case combinations for all design groups that are listed in the design group navigator
Automatic: this button generates automatic load case combinations for the selected design group in the Design Group Navigator
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The global configurations for the load case generation can be control with this button. Here you can control if the beam forces and how many stress points should be considered for generation, also the Relevance Factor can be set here. |
See also
For more information on the concept behind the automatic load combinations please refer to the Combine Loads task and the tutorial Determination of Decisive Load Case Combinations with Superposition of Normal Stresses in Cross Section Points
With the other symbol in the toolbar, it is possible to manually add, duplicate and delete load case combinations.
The lower part of the dialog shows the properties of the selected combination and allows to modify several factors. It is also possible to modify a automatic generated load case combination by activating User Defined.
Hint
When the load case combinations are generated automatically all combinations with Automatic Yes will be deleted and new generated according to the current system and results. All combinations that are set to Automatic No will remain, this includes the manually defined ones and automatic ones that where modified by activating User Defined
GUI Task Column Design Assistant - Combinations Tab (click on image to enlarge)#
Output#
Here all the properties for the report can be checked and modify. The parameters in the upper part of the dialog will be set for the selected design group. It is also possible to select several groups and change parameters for all selected at once.
Beside the output for every design group there is also a chapter in the report that shows a summary of all groups. Below are the properties for this output. These settings are independent of the selection in the design group navigator.
GUI Task Column Design Assistant - Output Tab (click on image to enlarge)#