Analysis & Design of Reinforced Concrete

Buildings for Earthquake and Wind Forces

COPYRIGHT
The computer program EngSolutions RCB and all associated documentation are proprietary
and copyrighted products. Worldwide rights of ownership rest with EngSolutions, Inc.
Unlicensed use of the program or reproduction of the documentation in any form, without prior
written authorization from EngSolutions, Inc., is explicitly prohibited.

Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:

EngSolutions, Inc.
At: Dr. Ricardo E. Barbosa
5220 S. University Dr, Suite 106C
Ft. Lauderdale FL 33328

Tel: (954) 370-6603

Fax: (954) 370-0150
www.EngSolutionsRCB.com
Email: [email protected]

© EngSolutions, Inc., 2000-2013

© Ricardo E. Barbosa, Ph.D. 1992-2000
 Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

EngSolutions RCB .................................................................... 1

Technical Overview ………......................................................... 2
Organization of Manual ….......................................................... 3
Program Versions ………........................................................... 3
Technical Support....................................................................... 4

Chapter 2 Installation 5

System Requirements ………..................................................... 5

Software Installation ……............................................................ 6
Software Initialization …….......................................................... 6
Protection Key …….................................................................... 7
Network License .....................................…............................... 8

Chapter 3 EngSolutions RCB Interface 11

Running the Program …............................................................. 11

EngSolutions RCB Main Window .............................................. 12
Commands ................................................................................. 15
Activating Commands …............................................................ 15
Types of Commands .................................................................. 15
User Interaction ………............................................................... 16
Element Selection …….............................................................. 16
Property Window ………….......................................................... 16
Context Menu ............................................................................. 17
Rotating the Structure …............................................................. 17
Exiting EngSolutions RCB …...................................................... 17
What to do Next ............................…......................................... 17
Chapter 4 EngSolutions RCB Concepts 19

The Structure .............................................................................. 19

The Geometry..…………………………………………………….. 20
The Elements ………….…………………………………………… 22
Support Conditions ….…………………………………………….. 26
Loads …….................................................................................. 30
Self Weight ................................................................................. 32
Vertical Floor Loads ……........................................................... 32
Wind Forces ……....................................................................... 33
Equivalent Static Earthquake Forces ……................................. 33
Response Spectra …….............................................................. 36
Dynamic Time-History Analysis …………….……….………….. 37
Load Combinations ………......................................................... 39
Analysis ..................................................................................... 40
Modes / Frequency Analysis ……………………........................ 40
Gravity and Lateral Load Analysis ................….......................... 41
Linear Analysis ……………………………………………………… 42
P-Delta Analysis …….................................................................. 42
Gravity Load Analysis ................................................................ 43
Incremental Analysis ………………………………………………. 43
Seismic Analysis …………………………………………………… 45
Time History Analysis ………..……………………………………. 45
Stiffness of Elements ……………………………………………… 47
Analysis Results …………......................................................... 47
Design of Reinforced Concrete Elements ................................. 55
Design of Beams ....................................................................... 55
Column Design …….................................................................. 56
Shear Wall Design ...................................................................... 58
Design of Foundation Beams ………….…………………………. 61
Design of Footings …………………………………………………. 61
Design Results ..................……….............................................. 61
Design of Structural Steel Elements ……….…………………….. 63
Printing ...............................................................……................. 65

Chapter 5 EngSolutions RCB Training Session 67

The Structure .............................................................................. 67

Creating the Structure …............................................................ 68
Assigning Supports ……............................................................... 86
Applying Loads Manually ……...................................................... 87
Generating Self Weight of Elements ............................................ 89
Generating Floor Loads ……….................................................… 89
Modes and Frequency Analysis …………………………….......… 90
Displaying Mode Shapes …………………………………………… 91
Generating Earthquake Forces ……………………………………. 92
Analyzing the Structure …………………………………………….. 95
Displaying Analysis Results ……………………………………….. 96
Checking Story Drift Ratios ………………………………………… 99
Defining Load Combinations ………………………………………. 101
Designing of Structural Elements …………..…………………….. 104
Displaying Design Results …………………………………………. 109
Seismic Shear Resisted by Shear Walls …………………………. 111
Design Check for Dual System ……………………………………. 113
 Cost of the Structure ……………………………………………….. 114
Modifying the Model ……………………………………………….. 116

Chapter 6 Reference 117

Earthquake Records ……............................................................ 117

Differences in Use with RCBE ......…........................................... 118
RCBE v5.2 Structures .....………................................................. 119
Rotating the Structure ............….………………………………...... 119
Wall Element Output …............………......................................... 121
Load Scale ……………………..........…........................................ 125
Estimate of Building Materials ..................................................... 126

References 127

Appendix A EngSolutions RCB Applications 129

Covert Ocean Park Tower 1 & 2 Punta Pacifica, Panama, Rep. of Panama,
Structural Engineer Gonzalo Sosa from Grupo G.S., S.A., Panama.
 1

Chapter 1

Introduction
EngSolutions RCB
EngSolutions RCB is a structural engineering program for tridimensional analysis and
design of reinforced concrete buildings. EngSolutions RCB consists of several modules
integrated into an exceptionally easy to use software package. Through its graphical
interface it is possible to easily create, analyze and design complex building structures
for earthquake and wind forces, according to different building codes.

Creation of the structure, assignment of element properties, definition of supports and

application of loads, are all performed interactively. Hence, there is no need for an input
file. All operations including analysis and design are carried out within the program’s
graphical interface.

Generation of loads is fully automated releasing the engineer from lengthy manual
calculations. Vertical floor loads can be automatically converted to span loads on
adjoining beams and walls. Wind forces and earthquake forces can be generated
automatically according to different international building codes.

Once a building structure is created, it remains interactively displayed and all program
commands remain available. The engineer can make changes at any time on the
structure, such as change coordinates, add or remove elements, add or remove stories,
modify element properties, change support conditions, change loading, etc., and see the
influence of these changes on the analysis and design results. All these steps are
accomplished with just a few mouse clicks.

The program allows modeling the incremental construction of tall buildings, checking
lateral story drifts, computing redundancy factors, and designing structural elements
according to various seismic codes. It is possible to run simultaneously multiple
instances of the program, which makes it easier to compare different structural solutions.
2

Technical Overview

EngSolutions RCB is a mature and stable software system that has a proven track
record of improving the profitability of engineering firms and enhancing the efficiency of
regulatory building agencies. The main technical features of EngSolutions RCB are the
following:

 Native Windows application that operates under Windows 8/7/Vista\XP/2000/NT.

 No limit on number of nodes, elements or equations.
 Interactive procedure to create building models through typical floor framing plans.
 Automatic generation of seismic forces, static equivalent, spectral, and time-history,
according to numerous international building codes, including: USA ASCE7-2010,
ASCE 7-2005, UBC-97, UBC-94, ASCE7-93/95, NERPH-97, NERPH-85, Mexico
RCDF-2004, GUAD-97, CFE-93, Panama REP-04, REP-93, Colombia NSR-10,
NSR-98 and CCCSR-84, Venezuela COVENIN-82, Peru E030-2000, Ecuador CEC-
01 and CEC-93, Chile NCH433.Of93, Dominican Republic R001-2011 and
DNRS/SEOPC-80, Costa Rica CSCR-86.
 Complete library of earthquake records.
 Automatic generation of wind forces, according to various international codes,
including: USA ASCE7-2010, ASCE7-2005, ASCE7-95, ASCE 7- 88, UBC- 94,
Mexico RCDF-87, CFE-93, Dominican Republic DNRS/SEOPC-80.
 Accurate modeling of torsion effects: The engineer may specify different design
eccentricities based on inherent and accidental eccentricities, and may choose from
different methods of modal combination available, including SAV, SRSS, CQC, 1/2
SAV+SRSS, and 0.25 SAV + 0.75 SRSS.
 Automatic distribution of floor loads to span loads on adjoining beams and walls.
Various floor systems can be considered, including one-way and two-way slab
systems as well as one-way and two-way joist systems.
 Automated incremental analysis to model the construction sequence of high-rise
buildings. Instead of applying gravity loads in a single step, the analysis can model
the sequential addition of floors to the structure.
 Graphical display of lateral inter-story drifts that allows immediate check for
compliance with building codes.
 New finite element formulations for accurate modeling of buildings with shear walls.
 Automated design of shear-walls, which includes dimensioning of boundary zones for
special (ductile) seismic design.
 Boundary zones for shear walls can be design either according to the stress design
method of the ACI-318-99 or to the strain method of UBC-97 and ACI-318-08/05.
 Automatic detailing of steel reinforcement for beams.
 Automatic generation of design load combinations according to different international
building codes.
 Buildings can be modeled as supported on theoretical dimensionless nodal supports
or on rigid footings, including spread footings for columns, continuous footings for
walls, combined footings and mats.
 Automatic re-sizing of footings according to specified allowable soil pressure.
 Design of spread and continuous footings.
 Specification of member end-releases.
 Automatic generation of load combinations: according to several international codes.
 3

 Structural elements can be separated into elements that are part of the lateral force
resisting system only, elements that are part of the gravity load resisting system and
elements are part of both structural systems.
 Inertia modification-factors for analysis based on cracked sections.
 Design and design check for structural steel members according to the Load and
Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methods of AISC and RCDF.
 Creation of DXF files.

Organization of Manual
This manual describes the use of EngSolutions RCB and its main technical features.
The special provisions for seismic design of reinforced concrete buildings are described
along with the theoretical basis and limitations of the program. The following are brief
descriptions of the remaining chapters of this manual.

 Chapter 2 Installation describes the installation procedure, system requirements

and system configuration for EngSolutions RCB.
 Chapter 3 EngSolutions RCB Interface describes the components of the
EngSolutions RCB graphics interface.
 Chapter 4 EngSolutions RCB Concepts describe the theoretical basis of
EngSolutions RCB and introduces the terminology used in the program. It is highly
recommended that this chapter be read before using EngSolutions RCB, to
understand the capabilities, assumptions and limitations of the software.
 Chapter 5 Training Session presents an example in which an example building is
created, analyzed and designed. It is recommended that this chapter be read,
preferably at the computer, to understand the fundamentals of the EngSolutions
RCB analysis and design interface.
 Chapter 6 Reference is a section that describes various aspects of EngSolutions
RCB.

Program Versions
EngSolutions RCB version 6 is available in four versions, all with the same capabilities,
as documented in this manual, but with different licensing terms.

 EngSolutions RCB Standard licenses the use of RCBE to a single user.

 EngSolutions RCB Network licenses access to a determined number of users on
network environments.
 EngSolutions RCB Educational is restricted to academic use. Commercial use of
the software in private practice is explicitly prohibited.
 EngSolutions RCB Evaluation licenses use for a trial period of time only.
4

Technical Support
Technical support is available to registered users only, therefore be sure to complete and
return the registration card. Registered users are eligible for the following support
services at no extra charge.

Fax support. If you need assistance beyond what the EngSolutions RCB manual can
provide, you may fax messages at (954) 370-0150. Please include the following
information:

 Your name, company name, fax & phone numbers and Email address.
 EngSolutions RCB version number and License number.
 Your hardware and operating system configuration.
 A concise description of the problem.
 Selected information and/or printouts documenting the problem.

Email support. You may also send Email messages to [email protected]. Please
include the same information requested above.

Telephone support. To help us provide a more efficient support service, we request that
you send first a fax/Email message with the information requested above, before you call.
Telephone support is used to discuss and solve cases already described in written form.
Please contact us at (954) 370-6603.

EngSolutions RCB technical support program is subject to change without notice.

If you would like to share ideas with the creators of EngSolutions RCB, make comments
about the software, or suggest improvements, please use any of the technical support
options described above. Occasionally, we are unable to implement some requests for
additions to the software as fast as we would like, and sometimes we cannot implement
at all some of the suggested modifications, however, we do study and consider all the
suggestions that we-receive.
 5

Chapter 2

Installation
This chapter deals with the installation of EngSolutions RCB on computers with
Windows Vista/XP/2000. The complete EngSolutions RCB package includes a CD and
a software protection key.

System Requirements
To run EngSolutions RCB you must have certain hardware and software installed in
your computer. The system requirements include:

 Personal computer with a Pentium processor.

 At least 518 MB of RAM.
 A color monitor with a minimum resolution 1024 x 768.
 A hard drive with at least 300 MB of free hard disk space.
 Operating system Windows 8/7/Vista/XP/2000.

Software Installation
To run EngSolutions RCB you need to install the software itself and then install the
driver for the protection key. To install EngSolutions RCB follow the steps below:

1. If you are upgrading from a previous version of EngSolutions RCB uninstall such a
version by opening the Control Panel, from the Windows Start button, and clicking the
Add/Remove Programs icon. This command activates the EngSolutions RCB uninstall
program. The uninstall program does not remove any folder; therefore, structure files
previously saved remain untouched.
6

Next, delete manually the folder Bitmaps, located on the folder where the previous
version of EngSolutions RCB was installed.
Users of RCBE (our program predecessor to EngSolutions RCB) do not need to
uninstall such a program, as EngSolutions RCB and RCBE are completely independent
programs.
2. Connect the EngSolutions RCB USB Flash Drive (white), or insert the EngSolutions
RCB CD in the CD drive.
3. Use Windows explorer to locate and activate the SetUp.exe program. Alternatively, you
may activate the Windows RUN command and type the command line: D:\SETUP
(assuming the CD drive/ Flash drive is D)
4. Follow the screen instructions.

In the first window of the installation program (Welcome to the EngSolutions

Note:
RCB installation program…) click on the OK button to continue. In the second
window, where the installation folder is selected, click on the installation button
not in the exit button (Exit Setup). The installation button is the one located
under the message: Begin the installation procedure by clicking the button
below.
If your operating system is Windows 8/7/Vista, do not install the program in the
default folder (C:\Program Files\) but create a different folder such as C:\RCB\

If during the installation process a window pops up, warning that a more recent
version of a given file is already present in your system, answer affirmatively to
the question whether you want to keep the existing file. (A file being copied is
older than the file currently in your system. It is recommended that you keep
your existing file. Do you want to keep this file? ─Yes.)

In Windows 8/7 you may get an error message during installation registering
WSHOM.OCX. Ignore such message and proceed with the installation.

Installing HASP Device Driver

To install the driver for the protection key, use Windows explorer to locate and run
HASPUserSetUp.exe. Once the driver has been installed, connect the protection key
(black) to your computer and wait a few seconds for the system to recognize it.

Running the Software

Once the installation process is finished, run EngSolutions RCB from the Windows
Start button (Start > Programs > EngSolutions RCB).

When the program is run for the first time, it displays the license agreement. Then, it asks
user information (company name, user name, country). Next, the program creates a
shortcut in the Windows desktop, for an easier access to EngSolutions RCB.
 7

Network License
In the case of network licenses, a single protection key (HASP Net) is provided which is
connected to one of the computers in the network. This HASP Net key is pre-
programmed to allow a determined number of stations to run EngSolutions RCB at the
same time. The computer to which the HASP Net key is connected does not have to be
the network file server but any computer on the network, providing the HASP License
Manager is installed on the same machine.

The HASP License Manager is included in the EngSolutions RCB distribution Flash
Drive (or CD). It is the application that communicates EngSolutions RCB and the
protection Key (HASP Net key), functioning as a link between the two. When
EngSolutions RCB is activated from a network station, it accesses the HASP License
Manager and request permission to run. The HASP License Manager then checks that
the correct protection key is connected and access the HASP Net key to verify that
EngSolutions RCB is licensed to run and that the number of stations allowed to run
EngSolutions RCB at the same time has not been exceeded.

The following steps are necessary to run EngSolutions RCB in a network environment:

The following steps are necessary to run EngSolutions RCB in a network environment:

 Install and initialize EngSolutions RCB in each computer in the network where
the program is going to be run, as indicated above.
 Connect the HASP Net key to a computer in the network.
 Install and start the HASP License Manager on the same computer the
HASAPNet key is connected to.
 If necessary, customize the HASP License Manager and EngSolutions RCB to
adapt them to your network environment.

The HASP License Manager is available for the following environments: Windows
NT/2000/XP/Vista/7/8.

HASP License Manager for Windows

The HASP License Manager is available as an executable and as a service. Both types
of HASP License Managers can be installed with the setup file lmsetup.exe in the folder
NetworkLic in the EngSolutions RCB distribution FLASH Drive.

The HASP License Manager for Windows can communicate via TCP/IP, IPX and
NetBIOS. The protocols can be loaded and unloaded using the HASP License Manager
graphical user interface or command-line switches.

Installing HASP License Manager under Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista

The HASP License Manager for Windows is nhsrvice.exe. Install it by running the setup
file lmsetup.exe from the EngSolutions RCB distribution Flash Drive and following the
instructions of the installation wizard.
8

It is recommended that you install the HASP License Manager as a service, so there is
no need to log in to the station to provide the functionality.

1. If you are running a previous version of the HASP license manager deactivate it.
2. Install and initiate EngSolutions RCB following the steps indicated in RCB
Installation.pdf. If the HASP Net key is going to be connected to a Windows station in
which EngSolutions RCB is not going to be used (and was not installed), before
installing the HASP License Manager it is necessary to install the HASP device
driver. To install the HASP device driver copy the file HASPUserSetUp.exe (from the
distribution Flash drive). Then run HASPUserSetUp.

Activating and Deactivating HASP License Manager

To activate the HASP License Manager start it from the Start menu or the Windows
Explorer. The HASP License Manager application is always active when any protocol is
loaded and a HASP Net key is connected. To deactivate it, use the standard Windows
Service Administration in the Control Panel.

Installing the HASP License Manager under Windows7/8

To install the HASP License Manager under Windows 7/8 follow the steps indicated on
RCB Red Installation.pdf in the folder NetworkLic of the EngSolutions RCB distribution
flash drive.
 9

Chapter 3

EngSolutions RCB Interface

This chapter describes the main elements of the EngSolutions RCB graphical interface
and explains how the engineer interacts with them.

Runing the Program

To run EngSolutions RCB double-click the shortcut to the program.

After a few seconds, a splash window is shown, displaying copyright information, license
number, and name of the engineer. The starting window, shown in Figure 3.1, follows the
splash window. In this later window, the engineer chooses between creating a new
structural model and opening a previously saved model.

Figure 3.1 EngSolutions RCB’s starting window

10

EngSolutions RCB Main Window

The main window of EngSolutions RCB is shown in Figure 3.2. In this window, different
views of the model can be shown, along with different diagrams displaying analysis and
design results.

Figure 3.2 Main Window of EngSolutions RCB

The main window of program EngSolutions RCB include the following elements:
 11

1. Title Bar (at the top) includes buttons to minimize, maximize and exit EngSolutions
RCB.

Figure 3.3 Menu Bar

2. Menu Bar (under title bar) provides access to menus and submenus to activate
EngSolutions RCB commands.
3. Toolbars includes the most frequently used commands.

Standard Toolbar Located by default to the left under the menu bar.

View Toolbar Located by default to the left of the standard toolbar.

Element Toolbar Located by default vertically on the left border of the main
window.

Figure 3.4 Toolbars

4. Main View Window displays the structural model along with analysis and design
results. Also in this area occasionally dialog windows and message windows are
shown.
5. Status Bar presents messages along with pertinent information about the model.
6. Active Command Window This window is shown when an interactive command is
activated. It shows subcommands available and options for multiple selection of
12

structural elements. By default, this window is shown in the right top corner of the
main window. A typical active command window is shown in Figure 3.5.

Figure 3.5 Active command window

7. Property Window is a table containing properties of the selected element. The first
line of this window shows the name of the selected element and is followed by a two-
column table with the name and de value of each property. This window is shown
simultaneously and below the Active command window.

Figure 3.6 Property window

8. Selected element window presents a solid 3D view of the selected element

displaying its local axes. This window is displayed simultaneously and below the
Property window.
 13

Figure 3.7 Selected element window

9. Rotation window shows a reference system to rotate the model.

Figure 3.8 Rotation window

Commands
EngSolutions RCB is a procedure-oriented program. At any stage, only one command
or procedure can be active. Some examples of EngSolutions RCB commands that at a
given instant may be active are:

Create a new model , Save current model , Edit properties of columns , Run

a static analysis , compute natural frequencies and modes of vibration , etc.

Activating Commands
A command is activated when the engineer selects it with the mouse in either a menu in
the menu bar or in a toolbar. The name of the active command is shown in the Active
command window.

Types of Commands

There are three types of commands in EngSolutions RCB, which require different
degrees of user interaction. These are action commands, automated commands and
interactive commands.

Action commands require little or no user interaction. These commands are executed
as soon as the user activates them. Some of these commands may require the user to
14

input additional information such as a file name o some parameter values. When the
command is completed it is deactivated and the program remains idle waiting for the user
to activate a new command. Examples of this type of command are: Save current

structure , run analysis , etc.

Automated commands lead the engineer through a series of generation steps. There
are usually available Next >> and Cancel buttons to go from one step to the following or
to abort the command. At each step the program requires the input of pertinent
parameters. The command is deactivated when it is completed or cancelled by the user.
Examples of this type of command are the commands for generating new structures,
automatic generation of wind loads, automatic generation of earthquake loads, etc.

Interactive commands are executed numerous times and remain active until the user
deactivates them or activates a new command. Examples of this type of command are:

Edition of columns , beams , walls , definition of supports , manual

application of loads , display of analysis results, etc. To execute these commands, the
engineer interacts with the model selecting nodes or structural elements. Interaction
takes place in the Main view window.

User Interaction
Element Selection
To select a member the user places the mouse cursor near the member and then
presses and holds-down the left mouse button. The selected member is highlighted and
displayed in the Selected element window. The command is executed when the mouse
button is released. If the cursor is moved away from the selected member, the member is
deselected and no command is executed upon mouse button release. A similar
procedure is used to select nodes.

To select a wall panel or a floor panel the user places the mouse cursor at about the
center of the panel and then presses the left mouse button. The same holding-down-the-
mouse-button applies to panels.

By default nodes and structural elements are selected individually. The Selection options
window includes options that allow selection of multiple elements. For example, options
such as Beams up or Beams down, allow selecting in a single step, the beam pointed-at
and all the beams above or below it.

Property Window
All elements have default properties that can be viewed by activating Edition commands
and selecting elements. Properties are shown in the Property window. These properties
can be edited entering new values for each property, pressing ENTER after each entry.
The edited properties are assigned to the selected elements by clicking the Assign
button in the property window.

Context Menu
A pop-up menu with display commands can be displayed in the Main working area using
the right mouse button. This menu can be displayed only if there is a structure. The
menu contains commands for zooming, moving selecting parts of the structure, and
several display options.
 15

Rotating the Structure

In EngSolutions RCB structures can be viewed from any angle in a tridimensional

space. To change the view angle the user interacts with the device-reference system in
the Rotation Window. Refer to Rotating the Structure in Chapter 6 for an explanation on
how to view the building structure from different angles.

Exiting EngSolutions RCB

To exit EngSolutions RCB click the exit button in the main window –or activate the
Exit command in the File menu

What to do Next
The EngSolutions RCB software package is so intuitive and easy to use, that many
engineers have started using it productively in complex designs, before reading any
documentation. As you learn to use EngSolutions RCB, its intuitive design will stand out
more and more indeed, you will be able to anticipate how features of EngSolutions
RCB will work without having used them. This quality is what makes EngSolutions RCB
attractive to so many structural engineers around the world. However, to understand the
capabilities, assumptions and limitations of the program, it is highly recommended that
the next chapter, EngSolutions RCB Concepts, be read before using the software.

For a more through introduction to EngSolutions RCB it is recommended to follow

Chapter 5, preferably at the computer, to understand the fundamentals of using the
analysis and design interface.
16
 17

Chapter 4

EngSolutions RCB Concepts

The Structure
In EngSolutions RCB, the structure of a building is idealized as an assemblage of
column, beam, brace and wall elements, interconnected by horizontal floor diaphragm
slabs, rigid in their own plane. The basic building geometry is defined with reference to a
simple tridimensional grid system, formed by intersecting floor planes and vertical column
axes. Column axes are defined through an architectural grid of either longitudinal and
transverse axes, in the case of rectangular buildings, or radial and circumferential axes,
in the case of cylindrical buildings. The program includes wizards that allow creating
complex building models with minimum data entry.

To generate the structure, the engineer enters story heights and spacing between
frames. Based on this information the program presents a floor-framing plan that the
engineer modifies interactively moving column axes, adding or removing slab panels,
shear walls, columns and beams. This typical floor plan can be used to generate various
stories of the model. It is possible to define various typical floor-framing plans. The ease
in creating the model is the main reason why EngSolutions RCB has resulted so
attractive to so many structural engineers around the world.

It is possible to specify either rigid or deformable supports, elastic beams on elastic

foundations or rigid footings on elastic foundations, which allows analyzing buildings
founded on compressible soils. Rigid supports include the usual fixed, hinge, roller, and
special supports for which the engineer specifies the degrees of freedom to be restricted.
Deformable supports are defined as multiaxial springs. Deformable supports can also be
used to model the lateral ground support on basement walls. For footings and beams on
elastic foundations the program accepts different values of the subgrade reaction
modulus for gravity load analyses and for lateral load analyses.
18

Once a building structure is created, the engineer may modify it, adding and removing
elements, and changing the coordinates of the reference grid system of floors planes and
column axes. The final building may be unsymmetrical and arbitrarily irregular in plan.
Torsional behavior of the floors and interstory compatibility of the floors are properly
modeled. The solution satisfies complete tridimensional force equilibrium and
displacement compatibility at the nodes.

Modeling of partial diaphragms, such as mezzanines and openings is possible. It is

possible also to model cases with multiple diaphragms at each level, allowing to analyze
buildings consisting of several towers, rising from a common base structure at the lower
levels.

The Geometry

The geometry of building models in EngSolutions RCB is based on a grid system

defined by an architectural grid system of axes, which define the plan view of the model,
and floor levels, which define the elevation of the model. This tridimensional grid is used
to define the location of all structural elements.

Figure 4.1 Plan created from a rectangular architectural grid. Floor level 2

Most building models can be created from a rectangular grid system of longitudinal and
transversal axes. First, an orthogonal grid system is created, by specifying separation
between axes. Then the coordinates of the axis intersections are edited to accommodate
the real geometry of the building. The command for editing axis intersections can be
activated in the Elements Toolbar and in the Elements menu .

EngSolutions RCB allows moving axes intersections arbitrarily as long as axes

originally parallel do not intersect. That is, longitudinal axes (alphabetical axes in Figure
4.1) cannot intersect each other, neither transversal axes (numerical axes in Figure 4.1)
can intersect each other
 19

Figure 4.2 (a) Floor level 6

The coordinates of nodes can be varied from floor to floor, allowing the creation of
complex tridimensional building systems with a limited number of axes, as shown in
Figure 4.2. The command to edit nodal coordinates can be activated in the Elements
toolbar and in the Elements menu .

Figure 4.2 (b) 3D view (Faro del Saber Library, Structural Engineer A. Muns, Puerto
Rico)
20

Before modeling the structure of a building, it is recommended to plan the model and
idealize the structure minimizing the number of axes along each direction. It is preferable
to have a model with a reduced number of architectural axes in a zigzag fashion than
defining the model using an orthogonal grid consisting of a large number of axes. The
edition and processing of the model as well as its visualization and interpretation of
results is easier in models with a reduced number of axes, and when beams and shear
walls are aligned along axes. Appendix A includes several actual models of real
structures designed with EngSolutions RCB.

The Elements
Members
Columns, beams and braces are modeled as either prismatic elements or variable
section elements, which may be subjected to axial and shear forces and torsion and
bending moments. Shear and bending can act in any two perpendicular planes. Moment
releases can be assigned near the ends of members. The effects of the finite dimensions
of the beams and columns on the stiffness of the structure are automatically included in
the analysis.

In EngSolutions RCB the engineer may specify which frames or structural elements are
part of the lateral force resisting system. Any element may be part of the lateral force
resisting system only, part of the gravity load resisting system only, or part of both
structural systems.

Members are added and edited with the commands: columns , beams and braces
, located in the Elements toolbar and in the Elements menu.

(a) (b)

Figure 4.3 (a) Column Property Window (b) Table of column sections

When any of the above commands is activated and an element is selected, the program
shows the element’s Property window. Figure 4.3 (a) shows column properties. These
include the structural system to which the element belongs (Gravity, Lateral, Gravity and
Lateral), the name of the section, name of the material, the angle defining the element
plan orientation, alignment of the member along each direction, type of conection at each
end (rigid or pinned), reinforcement cover to centroid of steel (for reinforced concrete
 21

columns) and in the case of structural steel members, spacing between intermediate
supports (-1 if there are no intermediate supports, 0 for continuous support).

When a new building model is created, by default all column elements are assigned a
section named Column1, which have some particular cross section properties. If the
name of the section in the Property Window is clicked, a window is displayed showing the
table of column sections. This table, shown in Figure 4.3 b, includes a list of available
column sections and the properties of the selected section. The cross section properties
can be edited in this window. Furthermore, in this window, it is also possible to add new
sections (Add), remove existing sections (Remove), import sections from existing files
such as the AISC database (which is included in the EngSolutions RCB software
package) or tables saved from previous projects (Import), and to save tables of sections
(Save). Any change made to the properties of a particular section applies to all elements
that have assigned such section.

Similarly, the default material for all elements is Rconcrete1. If the name of the material in
the Property window is clicked, a window is displayed showing the table of materials, as
shown in Figure 4.7 b. This table includes a list of available materials, and the properties
of the selected material. These properties include modulus of elasticity (E), shear
modulus (G), unit weight, compressive strength of concrete (f’c), yield strength of
longitudinal reinforcement (fy), yield strength of stirrups (fys), etc. In this window, it is
possible to edit these properties, to add new materials (Add) such as reinforced concrete
of a different quality or structural steel, to remove existing materials (Remove), to import
materials previously saved (Import), and to save materials (Save) to be used in future
projects. Any change made to the properties of a particular material apply to all elements
which have been assigned such material

b
Global Axes 2
Z Y

3 b 2 h
X

h
3
=0  = 90o

Figure 4.4 Local axes and orientation of columns – Plan view

By default all column elements are created centered with respect to the nodes. That is,
the centroid of a column coincides with the intersection between architectural axes. In
the case of facades, it is possible to shift columns, fixing the distance between column
faces and the node, using the alignment properties D2 and D3. In a Plan View of the
model, the program draws column sections with their actual orientation, location and
dimensions. Therefore, there is no ambiguity regarding the orientation and/or orientation
of columns

Properties of beam and brace elements are similar to those of column elements. By
default all beam elements are assigned a section named Beam1. If the name of the
section is clicked at, in the Property window, a new window is displayed showing the
table of beam sections. In this table, it is possible to edit the properties of sections, to add
new sections, to import sections from the AISC library, etc.
22

The alignment property D3 of beam elements, shown in Figure 4.5, represents the
distance between the top face of the beam and the centroid of the slab. Thus, in the case
of a typical two-way slab with beams, the D3 property for all beams would be one half the
thickness of the slab. In the case of spandrel beams, it is possible to locate vertically the
location of each beam element using the D3 property.

Figure 4.5 Local axes and D3 alignment property of beam elements

When any property is changed in the Property window such as the section, the material,
alignment, etc., it is necessary to click the Assign button in that window to apply such
change.

Shear walls
In EngSolutions RCB walls can be modeled using three types of finite elements. Shell
elements, membrane elements, and plate elements. Membrane elements are elements
that only resist in-plane forces (i.e. they only have in-plane stiffness). Plate elements are
elements that only resist out-of-plane forces (i.e. they only have out-of-plane stiffness).
Shell elements are elements that resist both in-plane and out-of-plane forces. By default,
shear walls in EngSolutions RCB are modeled as shell elements.
Both shell elements and membrane elements include in-plane rotational stiffness
(drilling-degrees of freedom). Therefore, any beam or column connected in the wall plane
will have complete moment continuity, without any additional artificial elements such as
rigid beams.

Connecting individual panels makes easy to model general three-dimensional wall

configurations, such as C-shaped core elevator walls, curved shear walls, discontinuous
shear walls and shear walls with arbitrarily located openings. Various elements can be
used to model a planar or three-dimensional wall. These modeling options along with the
possibility to specify the structural system property allows an accurate modeling of
buildings with shear walls, with the possibility of differentiating between structural walls
and nonbearing walls.

Walls are added and edited with the command Walls is located in the Elements toolbar
and in the Elements menu, . Shear walls are always added manually, preferably in a
plan view or in an elevation view, selecting two extreme nodes. The properties of each
panel are: Structural system (Gravity, Lateral, Gravity & lateral), type of finite element
(Shell, Membrane, Plate), name of material and element thickness. The wall length B and
wall height H, are computed based on the coordinates of the nodes defining the element.
 23

Figure 4.6 EngSolutions RCB model of a bearing wall system (Project El Faro Fajardo, Structural
Engineer A. Muns, Puerto Rico)

The finite element used to model shear walls is a quadrilateral hybrid element developed
for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA (M. Aminpour, NASA
Contractor Report 4282, Direct Formulation of a 4-Node Hybrid Shell Element With
Rotational Degrees of Freedom, 1990).

(a) (b)

Figure 4.7 (a) Wall Property Window (b) Table of materials

24

Slabs
Floors are in general idealized as rigid horizontal diaphragms. However, to distribute
automatically floor loads to span loads on adjacent beams and walls, the engineer may
assign load properties to individual slab elements.

The default slab properties are selected by the engineer. When a new structural model is
created, the engineer selects the predominant floor system. The program considers the
following floor systems: one-way joist slabs, one-way slabs, two-way joist slabs, two-way
slabs and one-way deck on secondary beams. Next, the engineer enters the properties
of the predominant floor system, including slab thickness, geometry and spacing
between joists (for joist systems), reinforcement direction, unit weight, superimposed
dead load (partitions, equipment, etc.) and live load per unit area. With this data the
program creates slab type Slab1, which is assigned to all existing floor panels. Once the
model is created, the engineer may define other slab types and assign them to individual
panels. Slabs are edited with the command Slabs located in the Elements Toolbar and in
the Element menu . This command is also used to edit the slab geometry defining slab
regions and slab holes.

Support Conditions
Nodal supports

The structure can be modeled as supported on theoretical nodal supports or on footings.

Nodal supports can be rigid or deformable. Rigid supports include fixed supports, hinges,
rollers, and special supports, for which the engineer specifies for each degree of freedom
whether it is free or fixed. Deformable supports consist of elastic springs. In this case,
the engineer specifies the spring constant for each degree of freedom, which can instead
be fixed or free (0: free, -1: fixed, >0: spring constant). Figure 4.8 shows Support
property windows for a rigid hinge support and for a deformable support.

Nodal supports are added and edited with the command Supports located in the
Elements toolbar and in the Elements menu . Selection options in the Active
command window include the option: All ground nodes, which allow defining in a single
step all the supports at the base of the model.

(a) (b)
Figure 4.8 Nodal support properties: (a) rigid support (b) deformable support
 25

Footings

In the early stages of building design it is preferably to model the structure as supported
on theoretical nodal supports. Once the final section of elements have been defined, it is
possible to include the footings considering their actual size.

The program considers three types of footings. Spread footings for columns, continuous
footings for walls and mats for combinations of columns and walls. Footings are idealized
as rigid elements that can be fixed, pinned, or supported on vertical springs distributed on
the area of the footing, representing the foundation soil. Footings are added and edited
with the command Footings in the Element toolbar and the Elements menu .

A spread footing is created by selecting with the mouse the corresponding column. The
engineer must input the footing dimensions (B, L) and to indicate the relative position of
the column within the footing. By default footings are concentric. At this stage of adding
footings, the program does not check if the dimensions are appropriate. A spread footing
is associated to a single column. Even if the user inputs large footing dimensions such
that the program graphically shows several columns within the footing, in the
mathematical model only the selected column is actually supported. The other columns
within the footing are not supported. With the automatic resizing commands, which are
available after analyzing the model, the program can compute the footing dimensions B
and L so that the allowable soil pressure is not exceeded.

A continuous footing is created by selecting the corresponding wall. The user must input
the footing width B. The program computes the length of the footing as equal to the
length of the wall. A continuous footing is associated to a single wall. The automatic
resizing commands computes the required footing width such that he allowable soil
pressure is not exceeded.

Figure 4.9 (a) Properties of spread footings (b) Table of foundation soil properties

Combined footings and mat footings are created by drawing the footing contour. All
elements (columns and walls) within are supported on the footing. Automatic resizing of
mat footings shrinks or expands the footing geometry (keeping the original shape) such
that the allowable soil pressure is not exceeded.

Foundation Soil Properties

26

Foundation soil properties can be different for each footing. The properties the program
requires are the allowable pressure, Pa, the increase in allowable pressure for
combinations that include wind and earthquake, dPa (33% in most building codes) and
the modulus of subgrade reaction. The user may input two values of the modulus of
subgrade reaction. A subgrade reaction modulus for gravity load analysis, Kg, and a
subgrade reaction modulus for lateral load analysis, Ks.

For gravity load analysis, which is a permanent load condition, the subgrade reaction
modulus Kg, can be estimated as the ratio between the allowable pressure and the
expected long-term settlement under the footing. For earthquake and wind load analysis,
which are rapid and transient loads under which the foundation soil has no time to
consolidate, the soil stiffness is greater and the modulus of subgrade reaction Ks, can be
estimated as the ratio between the allowable pressure and the expected short-term
settlement.

For pile caps an equivalent admissible pressure can be input, computed as the
admissible load per pile divided by the square of the center-to-center spacing between
piles. Similarly, an equivalent modulus of subgrade reaction can be computed as the ratio
between the equivalent allowable pressure and the settlement of the pile group.

Footing Support Conditions

Footings may be considered fixed or may be allowed to rotate and/or undergo a vertical
displacement. If footings are modeled as fixed elements, the subgrade reaction modulus
is not used in the analysis; hence any arbitrary values can be input. If vertical
displacements (settlements) are permitted, the program computes a vertical spring
constant based on the subgrade reaction modulus and the footing area. If rotations are
permitted, the program computes the rotational stiffness of the footing based on the
subgrade reaction modulus and the moments of inertia of the footing.

The analysis of building systems allowing rotation of footings is more realistic than
analysis based on the usual assumption of fixed supports, particularly in combined
frame-wall systems. In these systems, with the usual fixed support assumption, the
analysis results show that the walls resist most of the lateral forces. In reality, just a small
rotation at the wall footings is enough to produce a significant redistribution of lateral
forces with columns resisting part of the loads initially resisted by walls. If these columns
are not designed for these larger lateral loads, these overstressed elements may be end
up suffering significant damage under lateral loading.

The analysis of building systems allowing rotation of footings though more realistic has
the disadvantage that produces larger computed story drifts and greater computed steel
ratios. Considering that most building codes allow to model the building as completely
fixed at its base and that the story drift limitations were established for that usual fixed
base assumption, it turns out disadvantageous to use a model permitting footing
rotations, as it leads to a more costly structural solution. For this reason, the program
allows to model footings (spread, continuous and mats) as fixed.

It should be kept in mind that if footings are modeled as fixed, it is not possible to model
either tie beams or strap beams. If these elements are to be modeled as part of the
structure, to obtain their real design it is necessary to allow rotation of the connected
footings. When designing, eccentric footings, with strap beams, it is necessary to allow
rotation of at least the eccentric footings.

Foundation Beam Elements

The foundation beam element is an element that resists flexure and shear, and is
supported continually and elastically on subjacent soil. The element is based on a
 27

Winkler model implemented as a displacement based finite element. The element can be
used for analysis and design of cellular and two-way slab-and-beam mat foundations,
analysis and design of combined footings, and for static and dynamic soil-structure
interaction studies.

Foundation beams are added and edited with the command F-Beams located in the
Elements Toolbar and the Elements menu. In addition to the structural properties of
conventional beam elements (including section and material), the foundation beam
element has to additional properties. Soil type and tributary width B. Each soil type has in
turn various properties buit from those only the subgrade reaction modulus is used in the
analysis of foundation beams. The product of subgrade reaction modulus and tributary
width represents the stiffness of the foundation soil, as a continuous spring uniformly
distributed under the foundation beam element. Consistent with the Winkler model, the
soil reaction at any point is equal to the product of such stiffness and the transversal
displacement (settlement) of the element. The inertia of the structural element is defined
by the section properties and is independent of the tributary width.

Figure 4.10 Models of beam on elastic foundation. (a) Using multiple beam elements (30
elements) and springs in auxiliary nodes (b) using 3 foundation beam elements.

The program allows considering two different values of the modulus of subgrade
reaction. A value Kg, which represents the long-term soil stiffness or stiffness under
permanent loading, and a value Ks, which represents the short-term soil stiffness or
stiffness for transitory loads. The Kg value is used in the gravity load analysis and the Ks
value is used in the lateral load analysis.

The soils engineer based on his evaluation of settlements can estimate values of the
sugrade reaction moduli Kg and Ks. The Kg value represents the ratio between the
contact pressure of a continuous footing of width B, and its long-term settlement. The Ks
value represents the ratio between the contact pressure of a continuous footing of width
B, and its immediate settlement. The Ks value can also be estimated from K1 values
corresponding a a rapid plate load test (B= 1ft) either measured or estimated from
published typical values for different foundation soils, corrected to the actual footing width
B.

Although it is possible to model foundation beams using conventional beam elements,

segmenting them by introducing numerous auxiliary nodes, and adding elastic springs at
those nodes, as shown in Figure 4.10 (a), applying this procedure to complete models of
mat foundations, or in interaction-studies to models that include the superstructure,
would result in unnecessarily complex models. The main advantage of using the
28

foundation beam element is that it is not necessary to introduce auxiliary nodes to model
the soil reaction. The element formulation considers the presence of a continuous elastic
support under the element.

Figure 4.11 Model to study soil-structure interaction using foundation beams.

The foundation beam element may be used in models of individual beams or in complete
models of one-way or two-way cellular mats foundations. Cellular mats are those in
which the stiffer elements are beams or joists and the slab is made up of a grillage of
these elements in contact with foundation soil, working under flexure and shear, having a
thin slab at the plane in contact with the subsoil.

The element can also be used in soil-structure interaction studies in which both the
superstructure and the complete slab are modeled. Alternatively a simpler idealized slab
may be modeled in this kind of studies, assigning to each beam element equivalent
tributary widths and equivalent sections.

Loads
Loads in EngSolutions RCB are grouped into load cases. Load cases are independent
loadings for which the structure is analyzed internally, such as dead load (DL), live load
(LL), snow load (SL), wind load (WL), earthquake load (EQ), etc. There can be up to 12
independent load cases. Load cases should not be confused with load combinations,
which are defined later.
 29

Loads for any load case can be applied manually to the nodes, members and walls,
through graphical mouse interaction. Nodal loads are composed of concentrated forces
and moments. Member loads include concentrated loads and moments, and trapezoidal
distributed loads. Wall loads include concentrated and distributed loads at the top and
sides of the wall. Loads and moments can be applied at any location along the member
or wall, and can be referred either to the local axes of the element (1,2,3), or to the global
coordinate system of the structure (x,y,z).

Figure 4.11 Property window with member load data.

The commands to apply loads manually are located in the Load menu. When any of
those commands is activated, the program presents a property window where the
engineer enters the load data. The load assignment is carried out by selecting with the
mouse the elements to be loaded. Figure 4.11 shows an example of member load data.

Figure 4.12 Command for automatic generation of loads.

EngSolutions RCB can also generate automatically the loads of complete load cases,
representing significant savings in tedious manual calculations. Figure 4.5 shows the
30

automatic loading submenu. The load cases that can be generated automatically are: self
weight (D0), vertical floor loads (DL, LL1, LL2), wind loads (WLx, WLy), and earthquake
loads (EQx, EQy), which can be static equivalent, spectral, o may correspond to a time
history analysis.

Self weight

The self-weight of elements can be generated automatically with the command Self
Weight. The program uses the cross sectional area of each element defined in the
Sections table and the unit weight defined in the Materials table. Weight of beams and
braces is applied as a uniformly distributed load along the length of the member. The
weight of columns is applied as a concentrated load in the upper node of the element.
The weight of walls is represented as a uniformly distributed load at the top of the
element. Self-weight loads are grouped in a load case named Self Weight, D0.

Vertical Floor Loads

Vertical floor panel loads can be automatically converted to span loads on adjoining
beams and walls using the properties assigned to slabs: Thickness, reinforcement
direction, superimposed dead load and live load.

Figure 4.13. Distribution of floor loads to beams and walls (Sky Loft Tower, Structural
Engineer J. Robert & Associates, Puerto Rico)

The program reports the total floor dead load (self weight of the slab plus superimposed
dead load) (DL) and live load (LL) for each floor and the total for the whole building, and
displays for each beam and wall the corresponding tributary slab load, as shown in
 31

Figure 4.13. This way, the engineer can visualize how the floor loads are being
distributed in her model.

Wind Forces

Wind forces can be generated according to various building codes, including American
codes: ASCE 7-95, ASCE 7-88, UBC-94; Mexican codes: RCDF-87, CFE-93 and
Dominican code: DNRS/SEOPC. EngSolutions RCB load generator guides the user
throughout the generation process. First, the program asks for wind load parameters
such as basic wind speed, importance factor, exposure category, topographic factor and
wall pressure coefficients. Then the program classifies the structure, according to its
response to wind loading, as either rigid or flexible, and computes the gust effects factor,
using the rational analysis of the selected code. The velocity pressure at each floor level
is reported. The program automatically identifies exterior nodes, determines nodal
tributary areas, and computes wind forces on the roof and windward, leeward, and side
walls. Load cases for two orthogonal directions (x & y) are generated in a single step.

The program reports total wind forces at each floor level as well as all the values needed
for the overturning and sliding check. (i.e. total base wind shear, overturning moments
due to lateral forces and to roof uplift forces, total building weight and stabilizing gravity
moment). The program generates two wind load cases: WX and WY

Equivalent Static Earthquake Loads

Static equivalent earthquake loads can be generated automatically according to

numerous international building codes, including, American codes: ASCE7-10/05, UBC-
97; Mexican codes: RCDF-04, RCDF-93, CFE-93, GUAD-97; Colombian codes: NSR-10,
NSR-98 (including seismic microzoning of Bogota, Armenia and Medellin) and CCCSR-
84; Venezuela COVENIN-82, Peru E030 2003, Ecuador CEC-01, Chile NCh433-93,
Panama REP-2004 and REP-94, Costa Rica CSCR-86 and Dominican Republic R001-
2011, DNRS/SEOPC-80. New building codes are continually added to EngSolutions
RCB.

The load generation process is guided by the program. The engineer selects a building
code from a list of available codes, enters the number of basements, and then inputs
seismic parameters. Seismic parameters include parameters such as effective peak
acceleration (or seismic zone factor, or spectral response accelerations), importance
factor, site profile coefficient, response modification factor (ductility factor). The
appropriate parameters with the proper terminology for the selected building code are
requested by the program. Figure 4.14 shows this stage of the generation for IBC-2003.

Next, the program computes and reports the seismic base shear. The engineer may
change the value of the computed base shear. The engineer may also specify an
accidental eccentricity and a definition of the design eccentricity, in terms of both the
actual static (inherent) eccentricity (es, distance from center of mass to center of rigidity),
and the accidental eccentricity (). The program proposes the definition, appropriate for
the selected code, however, the user makes the final selection. In most building codes
the design eccentricity is simply:  = es .

Next, the program reports for each story the center of mass, center of rigidity, static
(inherent) eccentricity, accidental eccentricity, and design eccentricity. Then the program
computes inertial forces shifting the center of mass according to the accidental
eccentricities. Then, the program reports seismic forces for each story for two orthogonal
directions (x & y). Then, the program produces a report with the results of the seismic
forces.
32

Figure 4.14 Seismic parameters for generating seismic forces according to ASCE7-10

Next, the program reports for each story the center of mass, center of rigidity, static
(inherent) eccentricity, accidental eccentricity, and design eccentricity. Then the program
computes inertial forces shifting the center of mass according to the accidental
eccentricities. Then, the program reports seismic forces for each story for two orthogonal
directions (x & y). Then, the program produces a report with the results of the seismic
forces.
 33

It is noticed that the nodal forces applied by the program are simply inertial forces
proportional to nodal masses and do not represent the seismic response of the structure.
These forces are not proportional to the stiffness of elements and do not show the
distribution of shear forces in the structure, The way these seismic inertial forces are
resisted by the different structural elements is determined in the analysis, based on the
stiffness characteristics of the different elements conforming the lateral load resisting
system and their connection with the floor diaphragms.

Figure 4.15 Report with summary of seismic forces

Nota: Accidental Torsion

Starting with version 6.1, in the automatic generation of seismic forces only two
load cases are generated: EQUAKE X (EQX) and EQUAKE Y (EQY). In previous
versions, two load cases were generated for each direction according to the two
possible signs of accidental torsion, for a total of 4 load cases: (EQX1, EQX2 y
EQY1, EQY2.)
34

Starting with version 6.1, each one of the load cases generated represents an
envelope for the two definitions of accidental torsion. For each load case (for
instance EQX) the program generates a set of seismic forces without accidental
torsion and computes two sets of accidental torsion. During the analysis, the
structure is subjected first to the set of seismic forces with no accidental torsion.
In this analysis, the program computes nodal displacements, story drifts along
each column and wall boundary, and internal forces in all structural elements
(moments, shears, axial loads, wall stresses, etc.). Next, the program applies the
first set of accidental torsion. In those locations (or elements) where the result of
displacement, drift or internal force increase, such result is updated. On the
contrary, on those locations where the displacement, drift or internal force
decreases, the result is not modified. Then, the program applies the second set
of accidental torsion and updates the results according to the same criterion, to
obtain this way an envelope of seismic results.

Response Spectra

EngSolutions RCB can also perform response spectra analysis according to various
international building codes. Figure 4.16 shows the seismic building codes implemented
in the program. The analysis can be performed in a single step for two orthogonal
directions or for a specified attack angle. Before doing the seismic analysis however, the
engineer must perform a dynamic analysis, using the EngSolutions RCB analysis
commands that will be discussed in a later section, to compute the tridimensional modes
of vibration, natural frequencies, modal participation factors, and percentages of
participating mass.

The load generation process is guided by the program. The engineer selects a building
code and enters the number of basements. In computing the approximate empirical
period of vibration Ta, based on the building height, the program considers only those
stories above ground. That is, the program assumes that during earthquake loading,
buried stories move along with the surrounding soil. Next, the program asks the engineer
to input the seismic parameters corresponding to the selected building code. The
program computes the spectral acceleration for each mode, according to the selected
code. The engineer can edit the values of spectral acceleration, which allows considering
any other design response spectra, such as that corresponding to a specific earthquake
record.

Various methods of modal combination are available in EngSolutions RCB, including

summation of absolute values (SAV), square roof of summation of squares (SRSS),
complete quadratic combination (CQC), and a combination of the first two:
½(SAV+SRSS) and 0.25(SAV)+0.75(SRSS).

Next, The program computes the base shear for each mode and the combined base
shear. The program also evaluates the equivalent static base shear, that the selected
codes requires as a minimum design base shear. This minimum static shear is usually
computed based on an empirical fundamental period defined by the code. The program
suggests a design base shear, based on the combined value and the minimum static
shear. The engineer may change the proposed value. If the design base shear is
different from the combined base shear, the program automatically scales the combined
shears for all story levels.

A set of inertial forces is obtained by combining the modal nodal forces, scaling them to
obtain the appropriate floor shear. The treatment of accidental torsion is the same as that
in the equivalent static analysis, specifying a design eccentricity and shifting the center of
 35

mass, a set of static forces is computed which is later combined with the spectral
analysis results to obtain an envelope of analysis results.

Once again is noticed that the set of combined nodal forces that the program presents
are just inertial forces rather than the seismic response, which is later determined during
the analysis stage.

Figure 4.16 Building codes for seismic spectral and time history analyses.

Dynamic Time-History Analysis

The dynamic time history analysis is guided by the program and consists of various
steps. First, the engineer selects the building code that will gobern the analysis, form the
list shown in Figure 4.16. Next she enters the damping ratio (default is 5% for all modes)
and enters the corresponding seismic parameters. The program computes the spectral
accelerations according to the code, and determines the static base shear.

Next the engineer selects the earthquake records to be applied to the model. The
program includes an extensive database of earthquake records. In a later section it is
shwon how to add new accelergrams to this database.

Figure 4.16 shows the window in which earthquake records are selected and scaled. For
each record, the engineer must input first the acceleration scaling factor, then, add it to
36

the list of selected records by clicking the Add button. The engineer can add up to 5
different records. By default, only the horizontal component with maximum peak
acceleration is considered. However, the engineer can include the two horizontal
components and the vertical component, marking the corresponding checkmark in this
window. When the vertical component is included, it is necessary to include computation
of vertical mode shapes during the modes-frequency analysis. By default the vertical
modes are inhibited in the modes-frequency analysis.

After selecting the earthquake records, the program presents a table comparing the
response spectra of the selected records and the code-specified design response
spectrum, and applies the scaling required by the selected code. Next, the program
reports the dynamic base shears for the scaled selected records and the static base
shear, and performs again any scaling required by the selected code.

The procedure to comply with accidental torsion requirements is the same used in the
equivalent static force and spectral procedures. Accidental torsion is applied statically
shifting the center of mass.

Figure 4.17 Selection and scaling of earthquake records

 37

In this stage of seismic force generation all the information required to perform the
analysis is assembled. However, the actual dynamic analysis is conducted when the
engineer activates the Run analysis command in the Analysis menu. At this later stage,
the program applies, at the base of the structure, each one of the selected earthquake
records along each direction (X y Y), obtaining the response of the structure at every time
instant and saving the maximum values of drifts, displacements and internal forces in
each one of the resisting elements.

Load Combinations
Load combinations are the loading conditions for which the building is designed. Load
combinations are assembled as combinations of the load cases. An example of a load
combination is: 1.4DL + 1.7LL, where DL is the dead load and LL is the live load. In
EngSolutions RCB there can be up to 150 load combinations.

To generate load combinations the engineer selects in the menu shown in Figure 4.18,
the building code according to which the load combinations are to be generated. The
program generates all the combinations considering all sign combinations (sense) for
seismic and wind forces.

Figure 4.18 Command for automatic generation of load combinations

The engineer may specify to consider bidirectional effects in earthquake loading (e.g.
100% of earthquake in one direction acting simultaneously with 30% in the other
direction), to generate the load combinations accordingly. Depending on the building
code used to generate seismic forces the program determines whether seismic forces
are strength level or service level loads, to select the appropriate seismic load
coefficients. The engineer may alter this determination.

When seismic forces have been design according to ACI 318-08, ASCE 7-05, IBC-2003,
or UBC-97, the program includes in the load combinations the redundancy factors, which
are determined during the analysis. For these codes, the program also considers through
38

load combinations the effects of the vertical component of the ground motion, creating
additional combinations increasing and decreasing factors for gravity loads.

The generated load combinations are displayed in a table, as shown in Figure 4.19. In
this table the engineer may edit load coefficients for any combination, add manually new
combinations by entering individual load case coefficients, and may remove any
combination specified by the selected code.

Load combinations can only be generated after load cases have been created.

Figure 4.19 Table of load combinations

Analysis
EngSolutions RCB performs two types of analysis. Modes/frequency analysis in which
the program determines the free vibration characteristics of the structure, and load
analysis in which the program determines the response of the structure, in terms of
displacements and internal forces, to each one of the load cases.

The engineer may base both types of analyses on cracked sections by specifying inertia
modification factors, torsion-constant modification factors, and area modification factors
for beams, columns and braces. For walls, the user may specify independent
modification factors for in-plane and out-of-plane flexural and shear stiffness.

Modes/Frequency Analysis
 39

EngSolutions RCB provides the solution for the free vibration response of the building in
terms of its three-dimensional mode shapes and natural frequencies. Mode shapes,
frequencies and modal participation factors are obtained using the Lanczos method with
selective orthogonalization described by Golub et al, 1985, which is an improved version
of the subspace iteration method used in most commercial software. For large buildings,
the program improves computational speed using the iterative procedure for large
sparced matrices described by Underwood, 1975.

The implementation of the Lanczos procedure is general allowing analyses of complex

buildings. The building may be unsymmetrical and arbitrarily irregular in plan. Torsional
behavior of the floors and interstory compatibility of the floors are properly modeled.
Instead of the usual 3 degree-of-freedom-per-floor-level simplified analysis,
EngSolutions RCB considers the full stiffness matrix of the structure, allowing modeling
partial diaphragms, such as mezzanines and openings, as well as cases with multiple
independent diaphragms at each level, allowing to analyze buildings consisting of several
towers, rising from a common base structure at the lower levels.

The mass matrix is created automatically, based on the gravity loads acting on the
structure. The program asks for the coefficients of each load case to be used in the
evaluation of the lumped mass matrix. The load combination for the mass matrix could
be for instance: M = (1.0 DL + 0.25 LL)/g.

The program asks the engineer for the number of modes to be computed and performs
the analysis. Obviously, the modes/frequency analysis can only be conducted after
gravity loads have been created.

The dynamic analysis can be linear (first order) or P-Delta (second order) allowing to
consider the effects of initial stresses on the natural frequencies and modes of vibration
of the structural model.

It is pointed out that approximated methods for computing periods, such as the Rayleight-
Ritz procedure, presented in most building codes (T = 2  (( wi i) / (g  fi i))1/2), would
produce accurate results only in the case of regular buildings of simple geometry
consisting of a single diaphragm per floor level.

On the other hand, approximated fundamental periods evaluated with empirical

equations such as Ta = 0.1N and Ta = Ct(hn)3/4, which are based on field measurements
on real buildings (mostly during the San Fernando Earthquake), will typically predict
shorter periods as these real buildings, with their partitions, stairs, facades, and other
non-structural elements, are stiffer than the ‘naked’ structural model analyzed.

It is a good practice (not a requirement) to do the modes/frequency analysis before the

generation of wind loads. The natural frequency is needed to classify the main wind force
resisting system, in terms of its response to wind loading, and to evaluate the gust effects
factor of flexible buildings. If it is not available, it is estimated based on the overall
features of the building, using the approximated equations of the selected code.

It is also advisable (not a requirement) to do the modes/frequency analysis before the

generation of seismic loads, even if the design is based on static equivalent seismic
loads. The fundamental period of the structure is needed to compute the base shear
force. Furthermore, the fundamental mode shapes in each direction, which contain all the
information of stiffness and mass distribution in the building, allow an accurate evaluation
of the center of rigidity of the structure.

Gravity and Lateral Load Analysis

40

EngSolutions RCB performs a tridimensional finite element analysis to determine nodal

displacements, story drifts, internal forces and moments on members, and internal
stresses on walls, for each load case that has been defined. Prior to the actual analysis,
the program determines the rigid length at the end of each member, based on the
element sections and a specified rigid zone factor, to consider the finite dimensions of
elements. Next, the program computes buckling loads for columns. Then, the program
initiates the actual solution procedure. Figure 4.20 shows the different analysis options.
Linear Analysis
The linear analysis is a first order elastic analysis in which the equilibrium equations are
formulated in the original undeformed configuration. The program assembles the
stiffness matrix of the whole structure adding the contribution of individual elements.
Then the program triangularizes the stiffness matriz using the Gauss elimination
procedure. Then, the program computes by backsubstitution nodal displacements and
determines internal forces and stresses on the elements.

Figure 4.20 Analysis Options

P-Delta Analysis

The P-Delta analysis is a second order elastic analysis in which the equilibrium equations
are formulated in the deformed configuration. It is considered that as the structure
undergoes deformation, it carries the applied loads with it. The changes in position of
applied forces are cumulative in nature and cause additional second-order forces,
moments and displacements, which are not included in the first-order analysis. The
analysis is carried out in exact form, incorporating directly in the stiffness matrix of each
element a geometric component. This way, secondary effects are represented exactly in
all aspects of the structural analysis without any additional computational effort or
iterative approximations, such as those required in the Direct Method used in some
commercial programs.

When the P-Delta analysis option is selected, the program requests the engineer to input
the gravity load combination to perform the P-Delta analysis. This combination
represents the permanent gravity load, or better yet, the gravity load acting when the
earthquake loading occurs. The default gravity load combination is: 1.0DL+ 0.25 LL. This
 41

is the vertical load that is going to be carried by the structure laterally when it deforms
under lateral loading. The change in position of this gravity load is what will cause the
additional second-order forces, moments and displacements.

The P-Delta analysis involves two analyses. First, the program performs a preliminary
linear elastic analysis and determines the solution (displacements and internal forces for
all elements). From this preliminary analysis the program determines the internal
forces/stresses in each element, corresponding to the above gravity load combination.
Next, the program performs the actual P-Delta analysis. In this stage, when assembling
the stiffness matrix for each element, instead of using the conventional stiffness matrix
for stress-free elements, the program assembles the nonlinear stiffness matrix for
elements carrying the stresses corresponding to the gravity load combination. The
additional terms in this stiffness matrix resulting from the existing stresses correspond to
the so-called geometric matrix. Triangularizing the assembled stiffness matrix, using
Gauss elimination, and backsubstituting the load vectors for each case, the program
computes nodal displacements, and determines internal forces and stresses on the
elements.

Gravity Load Analysis

The program performs the gravity load analysis and the lateral load analysis separately.
In the gravity load analysis only those elements that are part of the gravity load resisting
system are considered to contribute stiffness, and the program solves for vertical load
cases including self weight of elements (D0), floor dead loads (DL), live loads (LL), and
snow loads (SL).

Incremental Analysis

Building design is usually based on the analysis of an idealized structure, whose

geometry corresponds to the final configuration of the building. Dead loads are applied to
this idealized structure in a single step. In the real structure, on the other hand, the
geometry changes continually during construction, and loading is incremental as new
floors are added. In cases of tall buildings (more than 15 stories), this basic difference
between the real structure and the system analyzed can result in important errors due to
the fact that the final state of stresses and deformations depends on the construction and
load history, even if the material behaves elastically.

The application of vertical loads to the whole structure in a single step may result in
unrealistic moment diagrams on the upper beams and columns, due to excessive axial
deformations of the interior columns. The difference between the axial deformation of
interior and exterior columns, which in the analysis accumulates from one floor to the
next, is not real. Each floor is built as a horizontal surface. Any difference in axial
deformation that may exist between the columns directly under a particular floor is
deleted when the concrete of that floor is placed.

Not only the displacement pattern in a given level, obtained from a conventional analysis,
is wrong, but also, for any particular column, the variation of vertical displacements
throughout the height of the building is completely different from the real one. In the
conventional analysis the vertical deformation increases with the height, reaching a
maximum at the top roof. In reality, floors are built at project elevations and the
displacements at the roof are minimal. The column displacement at the top level is
produced only the weight of the floor slab, rather than the accumulated from lower floors.

The errors in displacements that occur in conventional analyses have naturally an effect
on the internal forces and moments, calculated from those deflections. Figure 6.10
shows the moment diagrams and the variation with height of the negative moments in the
42

floor beams, from (a) a conventional analysis and (b) an incremental analysis. While in
the incremental analysis the negative moments in the floor beams tend to be constant
with height, in the conventional analysis, the negative moments at the central column-
support decrease with height, due to excessive axial deformations of the central column,
while at the end supports the negative moment increase.

Figure 4.21 Displacements, (a) conventional analysis, applying dead load in a single
step, (b) incremental analysis, modeling the construction process

The differences in the distribution of internal forces and moments that exist between the
structure loaded in a single step and that build incrementally, are clearly reflected in the
design of elements, specially in that of beams and columns of the upper levels. The
conventional analysis, underestimates the negative reinforcement of beams at the interior
supports and overestimates it at the ends. With regard to the exterior columns of the
upper levels, the conventional analysis leads to steel ratios greater than actually
required, due to the excessive moments that are obtained for these low-axial-load
elements.

Figure 4.22 Moment diagrams (a) conventional analysis (b) incremental analysis
 43

The incremental analysis method implemented in EngSolutions RCB, takes into account
the story-by-story construction process, eliminating the limitations present in the
conventional linear analysis, used in most structural analysis programs. The method is
described in detail in Barbosa (1994).

The incremental construction analysis, implemented in EngSolutions RCB, consists

substantially of a series of stages, each one corresponding to the addition of a new floor
(or some new floors). In each stage, columns, girders and walls of new floors are added
to the structure (i.e. to the finite element mesh representing the structure). The updated
structure is subjected only to the dead load associated to the new elements. The
displacements and internal forces and moments, obtained in each stage, are added to
the previous values. The process is automated to perform all the incremental analysis in
a single run. Obviously, the live load and lateral load analyses are performed on the final
configuration, in single step.

In the automated incremental analysis, the engineer specifies how many floors are to be
added in each stage of the analysis. The user controlled incremental analysis is more
general as it can consider any arbitrary construction sequence. The engineer assigns to
each element in the model (beams, columns, braces, walls, slabs, supports, footings), in
the Property window of the element, a property named Step. This property represents
the construction stage at which the element is added to the structure. This way, in
addition to conventional story-by-story construction sequence any arbitrary construction
sequence can be modeled.

Seismic Analysis
In the lateral load analysis only those elements that are part of the lateral load resisting
system are considered. Elements that are purely gravitatory are cracked during the
analysis so that any small seismic contribution they might otherwise offer gets distributed
to the elements that are part of the lateral load resisting system. If seismic loads were
applied manually or automatically with the equivalent static force procedure, the seismic
analysis is performed using a static linear or P-Delta analysis described above right after
the gravity load analysis. If spectral seismic forces were generated, the program
performs a static analysis for the combined nodal forces establishing this way a sign for
deformations and internal forces in elements. Then, the program establishes an envelope
between this static solution and the spectral combination.

Time History Analysis

In the time history analysis, after determining the gravity load solution the program
applies to the model each one of the scaled earthquake records selected during the
seismic load definition. The program determines at each time step the dynamic response
using a modal combination procedure, saving maximum values for lateral displacement,
intersory drift, axial load, shear and moments on columns, beams, wall and brace
elements and stress resultants and resultant forces and moments on shear walls.

Throughout the time history analysis, as shown in Figure 4.23, the program shows the
deformed configuration during the seismic event. The program applies first the first
record in X-direction and then in Y-direction. Next the program follows with the other
selected records. Whenever for a given earthquake record the intense phase of the
ground motion has passed, and it becomes clear that the remaining vibration will not
modify the envelope of results obtained so far, the engineer may terminate the
computation for that particular record to pass to the next analysis, by closing the window
showing the scaled accelerogram.

Using the time history analysis it is possible to design a building structure for a series of
real seismic events, establishing the elastic response, without the approximate
combination procedures required in the spectral analysis. The program provides an
44

elastic solution, which as in the other seismic procedures, is modified using the response
modification factor R, and the displacement amplification factor Cd.
 45

Figure 4.23 Seismic time history analysis (Sky Loft Tower

Structural Engineer J. Robert & Associates, Puerto Rico)
Nota: Stiffness of Elements

Activating the command Options in the View menu, the engineer may specify inertia
reduction factors, torsion-constant reduction factor and area reduction factor for beams,
columns, and brace elements. The engineer may also specify stiffness modification
factors for shear walls (in plane axial, flexure and shear, and out-of-plane bending,
torsion and shear). These factors allow analysis to be based on cracked sections.

It is noticed that the ACI-318 building code and most international building codes derived
from it, state that when elastic analysis are used to determine deformations at either
service level or strength level, it is recommended to the the stiffness values EI represent
the stiffness of the elements in the appropriate state, and propose tables of stiffness
modification factors for each case. However, most seismic codes (ASCE 7, IBC, UBC,
ATC, RCDF, NSR, REP, etc.) use the concept of Response modification factor (R or Q)
and Displacement amplification factor (Cd o Q) to account for the nonlinear behavior of
elements (cracking of concrete and yielding of reinforcement). Therefore, applying both
procedures simultaneously -cracked sections and displacement amplification factors-
would imply considering the same effects twice.

Nevertheless, some regulatory building agencies often require analyses based on

cracked sections. In these cases, in order to comply with drift limits without penalizing
unnecessarily the design, it is recommended to consider the following:
a. Some building codes (e.g. NSR-98) explicitly state that when the analysis is based
on cracked sections, the computed interstory drifts can be reduced by a factor equal
to 0.7.
b. Most building codes (e.g. ASCE7, IBC, REP, etc.) allow considering a separate set of
seismic forces for the purpose of drift analysis, different from that used for designing
structural elements. In determining these forces, it is recommended to compute the
fundamental periods from a modes/frequency analysis considering cracked sections
(which results in longer periods), and to keep in mind the following provisions of the
above codes:
 In determining the base shear for drift analysis, there is no upper-bound limit
on the fundamental period (e.g. 1.4 Ta).
 In determining the seismic coefficient Cs for drift analysis, there is no
required minimum value for long periods.
 For drift analysis the redundancy factor is equal to 1.0

The program default settings for stiffness reduction factors is 1.0, corresponding to gross
sections, except for torsion. The default value of the reduction factor for torsion is 0.1,
which is consistent with ACI-318 Sec R.11.6.2.1y R.11.6.2.2 and the common practice in
seismic areas of minimizing torsional stiffness of reinforced concrete members so that
any torsional moments in these elements can be re-distributed as flexure by orthogonal
members. Beam design in EngSolutions RCB includes design for torsion, therefore,
reinforcement is provided for equilibrium torsion (torsion that cannot be redistributed).

Analysis Results
EngSolutions RCB provides interactive graphic display of analytical results including the
static deformed shape of the building, bending moment diagram, shear force diagram,
axial force diagram, torsion moment diagram, wall internal forces, wall stresses
46

(resultants, mid-plane, front face, back face), support reactions, shear ratio stress, story
drifts, and mode shapes. All these results can also be printed in tabular form in a report.

Analysis results can be displayed for the whole structure or for a selected group of
elements. The EngSolutions RCB graphic interface includes commands to view
selected groups of elements. Numerical analysis results for any node, wall, or along any
member can be visualized in the main graphic window simply by selecting the element
with the mouse.

Figure 4.24 Moment diagram for a frame in a 3D model

 47

Analysis results can be presented for any load case or for any load combination. The
displayed results correspond to the load case or load combination currently active, which
is always printed in the EngSolutions RCB main graphic window. The engineer may
quickly change the active load case or load combination by clicking its label with the
mouse.

Figure 4.25 Relative story drifts

EngSolutions RCB also includes a command for the graphical display of story drifts
(lateral displacement of one level relative to the level below), which allows immediate
check of compliance with local building codes. The user may specify a displacement
amplification factor to magnify drifts, along with a limit story-drift ratio (story-drift divided
48

by story-height). The program shows column axes and wall boundaries in different
colors, depending on whether or not the amplified relative story drift ratio exceeds the
specified limit value. The engineer may select any column or wall boundary to view Drift
values.

Members
The analysis member results displayed by the program and output in the printed report
are the internal forces including: axial force, shear forces, torsion moments and bending
moments. These internal forces are referred to the member’s local axes. In the graphic
display, it is possible to see the variation of these forces along the element by selecting it.
The Active command window of bending and shear diagrams, include the option:
Member results, which presents these results in tabular form.
 49

Figure 4.26 Contours of vertical stress resultants in shear walls

Shear Walls
For shear walls the program present various types of results as contours including:
stresses in the wall midplane, on front face, in the back face, and stress resultants
(stresses integrated on the wall thickness), which correspond to internal forces per unit
length of wall. The program also presents for each wall segment total internal forces at
the top and bottom ends of the wall, including axial force, in-plane shear force, and
moment, which are the forces needed to design the element. The program presents
results for individual wall segments and for the multiple segments of a particular plane
wall. Stresses and internal forces in shear walls are referred to the element local axes. A
detailed description and sign conventions of analysis output for shear walls id presented
in Chapter 6.

Nodal Supports
EngSolutions RCB reports nodal support reactions referred to the global model axes
X,Y, and Z.

Foundation Beams
The analysis results that the program shows for this type of element include deflexions,
shear forces, and bending moments along the element. The program also presents the
soil reaction under foundation beams, drawn at the same scale as distributed forces. The
engineer may change the scale factor activating the command Load scale in the Loads
menu. When the analysis results command for reactions on foundation beams is active,
the engineer may select any of the beams and the program shows in tabular form, in the
Property window, an equivalent linear reaction defined by the reaction values at the two
ends of the element (wi y wj). This reaction is an equivalent linear reaction that produce
at the ends of the element the same fixed-end moments and shears as the real cubic soil
reaction.

Results for Footings

Footing pressures
The program includes various analysis and design results associated to footings. One of
these is the Footing pressures command in the Results Analysis menu. When this
command is activated the program presents contours of contact pressures under the
footing. The command has two options: “Selected load combination” y “Envelope all load
combinations”.

Footing pressures for the active load combination

With the option “Selected load combination”, which is the default option, the Footing
pressures command shows the pressures at the base of the footings for the active load
case or active load combination. It is pointed out that the color scale bar simply covers
the range of maximum and minimum stresses with no comparison to the allowable soil
pressures. As in most analysis results commands, if the active load combination/ load
case title is clicked at, the next load combination is activated and the pressure diagram is
updated. If any footing is marked with the left mouse button, the program selects the
whole footing group and presents in a window the results in tabular form.

The footing group corresponds to all footings connected to the selected footing. As an
example, in the case of a wall with columns at its ends, representing boundary elements,
if a continuous footing has been defined for the wall and spread footings for the columns,
the program identifies the three footings as a group, both during the analysis and the
presentation of results. Similarly, for a “C” shaped shear wall composed of three
segments, each supported in a continuous footing, when marking one of these segments
50

with the mouse, the program selects the three segments and displays the total results
―for the active load combinations― for the whole group.

Figure 4.27 Contact pressures in a model with variable foundation depth (Agromonte
House, Structural Engineer A. Muns, Puerto Rico)

The results presented by the program are the total reaction forces at the center of gravity
of the footing group, which includes the forces Rx, Ry, Rz, and the moments Mx, My y
Mz; and the maximum and minimum footing pressure under the footing group Pmax and
Pmin. Forces and moments are referred to the global coordinate system and the sign
convention used is the same used for nodal supports, shown in Figure 4.24.
Compressive pressures are positive and tensile pressures are negative.
 51

Figure 4.24 Positive direction for footing reactions

Pressure envelope

The option “Envelope all load combinations”, of the Footing pressures command allows
to verify graphically if the size of footings is appropriate, by comparing contact pressures
with the allowable soil pressure. With this option, the program presents the envelope
from all load cases of the ratio between the maximum contact pressure and the allowable
pressure Pcmax/Pa. The program draws in red shades those footings for which the ratio
Pcmax/Pa is greater than 1.0. When the command is activated the program displays a
window in which the following parameters are to be defined.

 Type of load combinations. The pressure envelope can be determined for service
load combinations or for the existing ultimate load combinations. If the service load
combination option is selected, which is the default option, the program saves
temporarily the existing ultimate load combinations and generates the set of service
load combinations. The user may edit these combinations, changing coefficients, and
adding or removing load combinations. After accepting the generated service load
combinations, the program computes for each footing the maximum contact pressure
under the footing Pcmax, the allowable pressure Pa and the ratio Pcmax /Pa, for each
load combination, taking into account the increment in allowable pressure permitted
for combinations including lateral loads, dPa. The program draws the footing
according to the maximum value of the ratio Pcmax /Pa from all load cases considered.
Once all footings have been drawn, the program re-establishes the existing ultimate
load combinations.

 Type of contact pressure. By default, the contact pressure that the program uses is
the maximum pressure Pmax, computed from the vertical reaction Rz, the moments
Mx, My, and the properties of area and moment of inertia of the footing group,
assuming a lineal distribution of contact pressures. The program includes the option
of considering the average footing pressure under the footing Pavg, computed simply
as the vertical reaction force divided by the area of the footing group. The program
also includes the option of using an equivalent uniform pressure Peqv, acting in a
reduced area whose centroid coincides with the point of application of the vertical
reaction.

 Self-weight of footing. The program allows to add the weight of the footing to the
computed contact pressures. The weight of footings is estimated as a fraction of the
vertical reaction Rz corresponding to service gravity loading (D0+DL+LL). The
default value of such a fraction is 0.10 and can be edited by the program user.

Once the above parameters are selected, the program draws each footing, selecting its
color according to the maximum value of the ratio between the contact pressure and the
allowable pressure. When a footing is selected with the left mouse button, the program
selects the footing group and presents the following results considering the selected set
of load combinations: maximum and minimum values of the vertical reaction for the
selected set of load combinations, Rzmax y Rzmin , maximum and minimum values of
contact pressure under the footing (the footing pressure is evaluated for each load
52

combination in each corner of the footing) Pcmax , Pcmin (where Pc is Pmax, Peqv, or Pavg),
and the maximum and minimum values of the ratio between the contact pressure and the
allowable pressure Pc max /Pa and Pc mix /Pa. It is noted that because the allowable
pressure is different for load combinations that include lateral loads, the load combination
for which the contact pressure is maximum may be different from the load combination
for which the ratio Pc max /Pa is maximum.

Automatic resizing of footings

The command window for the command Footing pressures includes the button
Autoresize all which allows to automatically resize all footings so that the maximum
value of the ratio between the maximum contact pressure and the allowable pressure,
Pcmax/Pa, becomes equal to 1.0. Footings can also be automatically resized individually
with the button Auto resize which becomes available when a footing is selected with the
mouse, being active the option Envelope all load cases.

The procedure used to resize footings is the same with both buttons. The program
presents the same window described for presenting envelopes, in which the user selects
the type of load combinations to be used for resizing footings, the type of contact
pressure which will be compared to the allowable pressure and whether or not a fraction
of the vertical service load is to be included to represent the self weight of the footing.
Once these parameters are selected, the program determines the minimum dimensions
that the footing should have so that for no load combination the maximum contact
pressure Pcmax, exceeds the allowable pressure, Pa.

In the case of spread footings for columns, the program determines the dimensions B
and L taking into account the size of the column and the alignment of the footing
(whether the footing is eccentric or concentric), so that the cantilever in both directions
are equal. In the case of continuous footings, the program determines the width of the
footing B. In the case of combined footings or mats of arbitrary geometry, the program
reduces uniformly the footing plan dimensions keeping its shape and trying to equate the
maximum contact pressure and the allowable pressure, without allowing neither any
overlap with other footings, nor changes on which elements ―columns and walls― are
supported by the footing.

Other Results

EngSolutions RCB includes graphic commands that allow a better understanding of the
seismic behavior of the structure. The program computes and draws for each earthquake
loading direction, the shear ratio r for each resisting element. For a given direction, the
shear ratio is the ratio between the shear force that the element resists and the total story
shear. The element-story shear ratio ri is the ratio of the design story shear in the most
heavily loaded single element divided by the total design story shear. The program
reports also, for each loading direction, rmax, which is defined as the maximum element-
story shear ratio occurring in any of the story levels at or below the two-thirds height level
of the building (UBC-97).

The display of the element-shear ratio allows the engineer to visualize the path of
earthquake forces from the top to the base of the structure. Additionally, EngSolutions
RCB computes for each seismic loading direction the redundancy factor of the structure,
. The redundancy factor es computed as  = 2 – 20/ [ rmax Ab½] (where Ab is the ground
floor area of the structure in square feet). The redundancy factor is an index of the
redundancy of the structure that varies between 1.0 and 1.5. The lower value
corresponds to structures with numerous elements resisting the seismic loading so that if
 53

any of them behaves unsatisfactorily during the earthquake, its load can be resisted by
the other elements. On the other hand, the larger value correspond to structures with a
limited number of few elements resisting the earthquake loading, thus, as these elements
are critical, they are designed for amplified seismic loads.
54

Design of Reinforced Concrete Elements

Structural elements can be designed in accordance to the Strength Design Method of
ACI 318-08/05, ACI-318-99, RCDF-04, RCDF-93, NSR-10/98 and other international
building codes. EngSolutions RCB computes the required steel reinforcement for any
concrete section considering all design load combinations. Although each norm has
some particular details, the design procedures are similar and are described below in
general terms.

In the seismic design of elements the engineer may specify different ductility levels for
columns, walls, beams, and braces. Therefore, it is possible to have for instance a dual
system consisting of special shear walls and intermediate moment resisting frames.
Elements that are not part of the seismic force resisting system are design with no
ductility provisions.

In EngSolutions RCB, the engineer can specify which frames or structural elements will
resist the lateral loading. Each element has a property named System that defines to
which structural system the element belongs. A particular element may be part of the
gravity system only, or the lateral system only, or both gravity and lateral load resisting
systems.

The above functionality allows conducting more efficient designs. For instance, if for a
given structuration, it is obtained in a preliminary analysis that several elements, —due to
their location and/or size— contribute little to resist seismic forces, it would be inefficient
and expensive to design them for special ductility provisions. It would be better to to
declare those elements as purely gravitatory. This way, during the lateral load analysis
the program will automatically crack these elements so that the small seismic force they
were carrying gets distributed to the lateral load resisting elements. During the design,
these elements that are not part of the lateral load resisting system are design without
any seismic provisions, making sure they can resist their gravity lateral load even under
the lateral displacements occurring during the design earthquake loading.

Design of Beams

In the design of beams, EngSolutions RCB calculates and reports the required areas of
steel for flexure, shear and torsion, based upon the beam moments and shears from all
the design load combinations. The reinforcing requirements are calculated at eleven,
equally spaced sections, along the clear span of the beam..

All beams are designed for major direction flexure and shear. Any effects due to axial
forces and minor direction bending that may exist in the beam, must be investigated
independently by the user.

EngSolutions RCB first establishes the envelopes of negative moment and positive
moment, from all design load combinations, at the eleven design sections. If appropriate,
these envelopes are modified to account for the provisions for seismic design (ductile
design). Thus, for beams in special design (special frames/ ductile frames), the moment
envelopes are modified so that: 1) at any end support of the beam, the beam positive
moment is not less than ½ of the beam negative moment at that end; 2) the negative
moment at any design section is not less than ¼ of the negative moment at any end
section; 3) the positive moment at any design section is not less than ¼ of the positive
moment at any end section. Similar provisions are enforced for intermediate design
(intermediate frames), with factors of 1/3, 1/5 and 1/5 for conditions 1, 2, and 3
respectively.
 55

Flexural reinforcement for negative and positive moments are calculated on the basis of
the modified design envelopes and the section properties and design parameters
provided by the user. EngSolutions RCB enforces the minimum steel ratio, specified by
the code, including the provisions for seismic design. The program also checks for the
number of bar layers to fit the tension reinforcement and automatically adjust the value of
the effective depth, d, if necessary.

For design according to ACI-318-99 and previous, When the required reinforcement ratio
 is greater than 75% of the balanced reinforcement ratio b, compression reinforcement
is added, up to the limit allowed by seismic requirements (e.g. max = 0.025, for special
moment resisting frames), but never exceeding and additional amount corresponding to
0.75b. Wen designing according to ACI-318-05 the tensile unit deformation in the
reinforcement is limited to t = 0.004.

Shear reinforcement calculation is based on the envelope of absolute value of shear

force, from all the design load combinations, which is also established at the eleven
design sections. In cases of special and intermediate moment resisting frames, the shear
envelope is modified so that the design shear at any design section is not smaller than
the seismic shear, computed from the moment capacities of each end of the beam and
the gravity shear forces. The end moment capacities are estimated with no strength
reduction factors, and in the case of special moment resisting frames, using a stress of
1.25 fy in the longitudinal reinforcement.

EngSolutions RCB computes and reports the size of stirrups and their required spacing
along the length of the beam, taking into account the limits for seismic design, in
concrete shear capacity and the shear that can be resisted by the steel, specified by the
design code. The results for stirrups and longitudinal reinforcement (positive and
negative) reported by the program include reinforcement required for torsion.

Column Design

In the design of columns, EngSolutions RCB calculates the required areas of

longitudinal steel, at each clear end of the element (top and bottom), based upon the
acting axial load and biaxial bending moments, for each design load combination. The
program reports the largest computed area of steel along with the load combination that
requires it (critical load combination). The program also reports the required shear
reinforcement, considering all design load combinations.

EngSolutions RCB uses the moment magnifier concept to account for slenderness
effects. The design axial load and biaxial design moments, at any end of the column, for
any load combination are

P = Pu
M2 = b2 Mub2 + s2 Mus2
M3 = b3 Mub3 + s3 Mus3

where is Pu is the axial load Mub2 and Mub3 are moments in the minor and major direction
caused by gravity loads, Mus2 and Mus3 are moments in minor and major direction caused
by lateral loads, b2, b3, s2, and s3 are the moment magnification factors. EngSolutions
RCB obtains the magnified moments s2 Mus2 and s3 Mus3 directly from the P-Delta
results. The program assumes a P-Delta analysis has been carried out. The moment
magnification factor b for each local direction, 2 and 3, is computed as
56

b = Cm /[1 - Pu / Pc]

where

Pc = 2 EI /(KLu)2

and Cm = 0.6 + 0.4(Mib / Mjb) but not less than 0.4

Mib and Mjb are the moments at the ends of the column and Mjb is numerically larger than
Mib.

The magnification factor must be a positive number greater than one. Therefore Pu must
be less than Pc. If Pu is found to be greater than Pc an insufficient section condition is
reported.

The stiffness EI for each local column direction is computed as

EI = 0.4 Ec Ig/ (1 + d)

where d is the ratio of the maximum factored axial dead load to the total factored axial
load.

In the design of special moment resisting frames, before magnifying moments, the
ultimate end-column moments are increased by a code specified factor, usually equal to
1.2 (6/5), to satisfy the strong column-weak beam requirements of the design code.

EngSolutions RCB determines the required longitudinal reinforcement at each end of

the column for each load combination, based on the design axial load and biaxial design
moments (P, M2, M3). The reinforcement is assumed to be uniformly distributed around
the section of the column, with a constant clear cover d’.

The computation of the required steel reinforcement is based on an iterative procedure

that involves the generation of selected portions of load-biaxial moment interaction
surfaces for varying steel ratios. The load-biaxial moment interaction surfaces are
computed using the method proposed by Gouwens (1975).

The shear reinforcement is designed for each load combination in the two local directions
of the column. In designing the shear reinforcement for a particular load combination in a
particular direction, the factored forces Pu and Vu are determined first. Then, the shear
force Vc that can be resisted by the concrete, which depends on Pu, is computed. Next,
the reinforcing steel to carry the balance Vu - Vc is determined.

Vu is determined as the maximum factored shear force along the column length, in the
direction considered, for the load combination considered. In the design of intermediate
and special moment resisting frames (intermediate and high seismic risk), a shear force
Vu is also determined from the end moment capacity of the member. The end moment
capacities are estimated with no strength reduction factors, and in the case of special
moment resisting frames, using a stress of 1.25 fy in the longitudinal reinforcement.

EngSolutions RCB computes and reports the size of stirrups, cross-ties or legs and
their required spacing along the length of the column, taking into account the limits for
seismic design, in concrete shear capacity, balance shear that can be resisted by the
steel, and spacing of stirrups, specified by the design code.
 57

Shear Wall Design

In the design of walls, EngSolutions RCB computes the required vertical and horizontal
reinforcement, at each end section of the wall (top and bottom), based upon the acting
shear force, axial load and in-plane bending moment, for each design load combination.
The program reports the largest computed reinforcement and the critical load
combinations.

The calculation procedure consists in designing the wall for shear first, and then checking
adequacy under combined axial load and bending moment in the plane of the wall. The
vertical and horizontal reinforcement, required by shear, are determined according to the
design code, including the special provisions for seismic design. EngSolutions RCB
enforces the code requirements for minimum steel ratio, reinforcement spacing and
number of layers of reinforcement.

For low rise buildings, the uniformly distributed vertical reinforcement required for shear,
usually provides adequate resistance for combined axial loads and bending moment in
the plane of the wall. If additional reinforcement is required, EngSolutions RCB
concentrates it at the ends of the wall.

For high rise buildings in high seismic risk regions, boundary elements are usually
required. Design of boundary elements can be conducted according to the stress design
method (ACI-318-99 and previous) or the strain design method (UBC-97, ACI-318-05,
RCDF-04).

In the stress method the need of boundary elements is established by computing the
maximum extreme-fiber compressive stress. If such stress value exceeds 0.2f’c,
boundary elements are required. If the engineer modeled the boundary elements as
columns, the program determines the required reinforcement. If boundary elements were
not modeled but are required, the program determines their required size and
reinforcement.

In this design method, boundary elements are design as short columns, capable of
supporting the total factored gravity loads acting on the wall plus the vertical force
required to resist the overturning moment produced by earthquake loading. That is,
boundary elements are design as if the wall itself did not exist. The contribution of
concrete and reinforcement on the wall web is ignored.

The stress design method being so conservative in flexure, results in expensive designs
as it leads to large boundary elements with large steel ratios, producing also structures
that most likely would behave poorly under severe earthquake loading. Ignoring the
contribution of the wall’s web results in rigid massive elements (wall plus boundary
elements) with a large flexo-compression capacity, much larger that computed in the
design, but with no additional shear capacity. Under earthquake loading, these massive
elements would attract more seismic force, making it more feasible a fragile shear failure.
Special reinforcement provisions for boundary elements, aimed at increasing
flexocompression ductility would not increase the actual ductility of the element, as these
elements with their large flexocompression capacity are inherently fragile in shear. For
the above reason the stress design method is no longer allowed in some building codes
(e.g. UBC-97, SEAOC-99, RCDF-04).

In the strain design method (UBC-97, ACI-318-05, RCDF-04) the contribution of

concrete and reinforcement along the web of the shear wall to axial load and in-plane
58

bending is taken into account, which results in significantly lower reinforcement quantities
and smaller boundary elements. UBC-97 considers two alternative procedures to
determine if boundary zones are required: a simplified procedure and a procedure based
on computation of unit compressive strains. According to the simplified procedure
boundary zones are not required on shear walls or portions of shear walls when:

Pu  0.10 Ag f’c for symmetrical wall sections

Pu  0.05 Ag f’c for unsymmetrical wall sections

And either

Vu  3 Acv f’c½ and Mu/(Vu Lw)  3

or

Mu/(Vu Lw)  1

For shear walls and portions of shear walls meeting the conditions above and having a
factored axial load Pu < 0.35 Po (where Po is the nominal axial strength for no eccentricity)
shear zones must be provided at each end of the wall in a distance varying linearly from
0.25 Lw to 0.15 Lw for Pu varying from 0.35 Po to 0.15 Po. The boundary zone should
have a minimum length of 0.15 Lw.

Alternatively the requirements for boundary zones of shear walls or portions of shear wall
may be based on the determination of the compressive strain levels at edges when the
wall or portion of wall is subjected to displacement levels corresponding to the design
earthquake loading. Boundary zone shall be extended over those portions of the wall
where compressive strains exceed 0.003. The boundary zone should have a minimum
length of 18 in at each end of the shear wall or portion of shear wall. In no instance
designs are permitted in which compressive strains exceed max = 0.015.

The maximum axial load in this method is limited to 0.35 Po. Shear walls or portions of
shear wall in which Pu > 0.35 Po should not be considered to contribute to earthquake
induced loading.

In both, the stress design method and the strain design method, stirrups must be
provided in the boundary zones. The purpose of these stirrups is to provide confinement
to the vertical reinforcement and concrete, to increase the capability of the element to
deform inelastically. These stirrups are required because compression reinforced
concrete elements would otherwise fail explosively if not properly confined. However
unlike stirrups in columns, these stirrups are not intended to resist shear forces, hence
spacing requirements such as d/4, included in some buildings codes, are not really
required. The spacing and area of stirrups (Ash) should instead be based solely on
confinement requirements, as done in UBC-97.

In the shear wall design implementation in EngSolutions RCB, the engineer must select
if boundary elements are to be designed by the stress design method (ACI-318, NSR-98,
RCDEF-93, etc) or by the strain design method (UBC-97, ACI-318-05, RCDF-04).

If the engineer selects the strain design method, the program uses first the simplified
procedure to establish if boundary zones are required. If according the this procedure
boundary zones are required for a particular shear wall or portion of a shear, and if such
shear wall originates from the base of the structure and extends upward several stories,
the program confirms the need to provide boundary zones by computing compressive
strains. If the program detects that boundary zones are required and the engineer did not
 59

previously define them, the program dimension them automatically and determines their
required reinforcement. If boundary zones were defined as columns at the ends of the
shear wall, the program uses those dimensions and computes the required reinforcement
without verifying dimension requirements. In the strain design method, it is preferred to
let EngSolutions RCB dimension automatically boundary zones, if they are required.
That is, it is better no to introduce in the model prefixed-columns at the wall ends to
represent boundary zones.

Figure 4.28 Steel ratio in shear walls (Picasso Tower, Structural Engineer
Postensa S.A. de C.V., Mexico)
60

Design of Foundation Beams

Foundation beams are designed using the same procedures used for aerial beams. The
command for designing foundation beams is the same used for aerial beams.

Design of Footings

EngSolutions RCB performs structural design of spread footings for columns and
continuous footings for walls. The program does not design combined footings or mat
footings. The footing design command assumes that the plan dimensions of footings are
adequate, that is, the contact pressure does not exceed the allowable soil pressure. The
command also assumes that the existing load combinations are ultimate design load
combinations.

When the footing design is activated, the program computes the required footing
thickness and the required reinforcement in each direction. The assumptions and design
computation sequence is as follows.

In determining the thickness, the program starts with a thickness equal to 0.8 times the
minimum dimension of the column (or wall thickness in the case of continuous footings).
The program modifies the computed thickness, if necessary, so that the thickness is not
smaller than a minimum thickness equal to 10 inches. Next, based on the modified
thickness and a value of reinforcement cover (assumed to be equal to 4 inches, to the
centroid of reinforcement), the program computes an effective depth for flexion as d = h –
4 in.

Next the program computes the ultimate moment along each direction (envelope from all
design load combinations) considering a lineal (non uniform) distribution of net pressure
under the footing. Based on the ultimate moment along each direction, the program
computes the required effective depth d, required for the steel ratio not to exceed 1.2 the
minimum steel ratio. The program takes as effective depth, the larger between the
determined above from minimum dimensions and that calculated to ensure a low steel
ratio.

Based on the computed effective depth d, the program starts an iterative procedure,
sweeping all load combinations, comparing ultimate shear forces, including one-way
shear Vu1 and two-way shear Vu2 with the shear resisted by concrete in each case, Vc1
and Vc2 respectively. If for any load combination, the ultimate shear force is greater that
the corresponding one resisted by concrete, the effective depth is increased and the
check is repeated until a final effective depth d, is reached for which the ultimate shear
for all load combinations are smaller that the shear resisted by concrete. The program
determines then for this effective depth the corresponding footing thickness, the required
steel ratio along each direction and verifies that the amount of reinforcement is not
smaller than that required for temperature.

Design Results

The design process is graphically displayed in EngSolutions RCB. Elements are drawn
as they are designed in different colors, depending on the required amount of steel.
Elements with insufficient cross section are marked in red. This way, the designer can
clearly see which elements need to be resized. In addition, EngSolutions RCB
 61

computes for all the designed elements, the volume of concrete and weight of steel
required, which allows making cost analyses for various structural solutions.

After the design process is finished, the user can display detailed design results for any
element just by selecting it with the mouse, after activating the Design Results command.

Beams
In the case of beams, EngSolutions RCB displays the envelopes of negative moment,
positive moment, and shear force, from all design load combinations, as well as the
required area of steel reinforcement and size and spacing of stirrups at various sections
of the member.

EngSolutions RCB can also propose detailing of reinforcement for beams, displaying
bar cutoffs and splicing, based on the design results, code provisions for development,
anchorage and splicing, and detailing options and bar data specified by the engineer.

Columns
In the case of columns, EngSolutions RCB displays the load-biaxial bending moment
interaction surface for the required longitudinal reinforcement, reports the size of stirrups,
cross-ties or legs and their required spacing along the length of the column, the area of
longitudinal reinforcement and the design load and bending moments for the most critical
load combination.

Figure 4.29 Design Results for Columns

Shear Walls
62

For shear walls EngSolutions RCB reports the required vertical reinforcement on the
wall and on the boundary elements and displays the load-moment integration diagram for
the required reinforcement. In addition, EngSolutions RCB reports the required size and
spacing of horizontal reinforcement.

Footings
The design results menu includes a command for footings. The design results for
footings are not actually stored but the footings are simply redesigned each time the
command is activated. For this reason, it is possible to display design results for footings
that have not been previously designed. When the command is activated, the program
displays the required steel ratio along each direction for each footing. If a footing is
selected with the mouse, the program presents the design results in tabular form.

The design results presented by the program are the following. The require footing
thickness h, proposed reinforcement along each direction (including number of rebars,
rebar diameter and rebar spacing), area of reinforcement, ultimate moment (envelope)
along each direction and the ratio between the ultimate shear and that resisted by
concrete for shear action in one and two directions.

General Design Sequence

The general suggested sequence to use the new features of this version is the following:

1. Create the building model (columns, beams, wall, slabs).

2. Add manually spread footings for columns and continuous footings for walls,
entering approximate footing dimensions (B and L for spread footings and B for wall
footings). If there are eccentric footings their alignment properties can be set. In this
stage it is also possible to define combined footings and mat footings.
3. Generate loads: self-weight, dead load and live load on slabs.
4. Generate earthquake and wind forces. For preliminary analysis, equivalent static
seismic forces can be considered. For more detailed analysis mode shapes should
be computed first to allow generation of inertial forces according to spectral or time
history analyses.
5. Run analysis.
6. Verify story drifts.
7. Modify dimensions of structural elements recreating in (3) self-weight and carrying
out 4 and 5 until requirements for (6) are met.
8. Resize footings.
9. If some footings overlap, redefine them as combined or mat footings.
10. Re-analyze.
11. Generate ultimate load combinations.
12. Design structural elements.

Design of Structural Steel Elements

EngSolutions RCB includes the command: Results: Steel design that allows to check
and design steel members, according to the Load and Resístanse Factor Design (LRFD)
of AISC and RCDF. This command applies only to elements whose material property is
structural steel. The section property of the element can be any shape (W, M, S, T, C, L,
2L, P, etc.) created manually or imported from a library of steel sections. The program
includes the AISC library.
 63

The procedure for design check steel members is as follows. Once element properties
have been assigned and the ananalysis has been carried out, the command Results:
Steel Design is activated. In response, the program draws each steel member in color
depending on the value of its capacity ratio. The capacity ratio is essentially the ratio
between the ultimate load and the nominal strength reduced by a strength reduction
factor. When the capacity ratio is > 1.0 the section is insufficient. When the capacity ratio
is < 1.0 the section is larger than required. Theoretically, for an optimum design the
capacity ratio of all elements should be about 1.0.

When the Steel design command is active, selecting any member produces a report with
a detailed calculation of its capacity ratio.

The Steel design command includes command buttons for automatically resizing
columns, beams, and braces. When any of these buttons, for instance the Autosize
columns command button, is clicked, the program displays the list of the column
sections. The user may remove some sections, add or import additional sections. The
modified list of sections is the one used for automatically resizing elements. The program
selects from this list, for each column the lightest section that produces a capacity ratio
near to 1.0. This command only applies to columns visible in the screen. That is, if a
determined elevation view has been selected, only the columns in the visible frame are
automatically resized. The program does not perform a re-analysis. It simply uses
existing analysis results to compute capacity ratios and required sections. The command
buttons for auto-sizing beams and braces operate similarly.

Beams

In the design check of beams, the program divides the clear length of the member in 11
stations, and computes at each one the capacity ratio for negative moment, positive
moment and shear force. In computing nominal bending strength the program considers
the following limit states: (a) flange local buckling, (b) web local buckling and (c) lateral
torsional buckling. In beam properties, it is possible to indicate the spacing of lateral
supports for the upper flange and for the bottom flange. These properties have a strong
effect on the computed bending strength of the element. If the upper flange is continually
connected to the floor slab, the spacing between lateral stiffeners equal to zero can be
specified. If there are not intermediate supports, a spacing equal to –1 should be
specified. The program does not perform composite design.

Columns

The design check for columns is carried out for each end of the element. The limit states
considered are tension yielding (tension members), flexural buckling (compression
members), flange local buckling, web local buckling and lateral torsional buckling. The
program does not check flexural-torsional buckling. Thus columns with one or none axes
of symmetry, or elements with very low torsional stiffness for which flexo-torsion might be
critical should be check for such a limit state, independently of the program. In column
properties the user may indicate the spacing of intermediate lateral supports for instability
around each local axis of the member.

Braces

The design check for diagonals is carried out for each end of the element, considering
tension yielding (tension members), flexural buckling (compression members), flange
local buckling, web local buckling and lateral torsional buckling. In brace properties the
64

user may indicate the spacing of intermediate lateral supports for instability around each
local axis of the member.

Printing
All structural data including coordinates of axis intersections and nodes, element
properties, applied loads, etc., along with analysis and design results, can be printed as
an organized report or saved in file for later printing. Reports can be saved as text files
(*.txt) or as Eprint files (*.epr)

Printing commands apply only to elements that are currently visible. EngSolutions RCB
includes different options to make visible selected parts of the structure. In an Elevation
view, only one frame is visible. In a Plan view only one floor plan is visible. In a 3D View,
either the whole structure is visible or selected floors, frames or regions. Therefore, the
engineer has complete control on the amount of printing. She can print design results for
a single element, or all project data, analysis and design results for the whole structure.

Results from automatic generation of earthquake and wind forces can be printed at the
end of the generation process or they can be saved in a file for later printing. Reports can
be saved as text files (*.txt) or as Eprint files (*.epr)

EngSolutions RCB includes program Eprint which allows to preview and print reports
saved in format *.epr. Wen a report is saved as a text file, the text formatting of the
document is lost. If the report is saved as an *.epr file, it is possible to print the report at
a later time using program Eprint, without loosing the document formatting.

Any graphical image on the EngSolutions RCB main view area can be printed with the
Print command in the File menu. EngSolutions RCB saves a copy of the image in its
main window in Windows Paint program. Before printing from Paint de page must be
configured (File >Page Setup) to scale to fit the image in a single page.
65
66

Chapter 5

Training Session
In this section you will create, analyze and design your first EngSolutions RCB building
structure. You will be guided step by step through a simple example. The basic steps you
take in processing the example building will show you principles that you will use with
every other building that you design.

The Structure
The example structure is a 10-story building located in a high seismic risk zone. The
structural system is a dual system, consisting of special reinforced concrete moment
resisting frames and special reinforced concrete shear walls. The floor system is a two-
way slab with beams. The columns and shear walls have constant cross-sections
throughout the height of the building. The floor beams and slabs also have the same
dimensions at all floor levels. Although the dimensions of the structural elements in this
example are within practical range, the structure itself is hypothetical and has been
chosen mainly for illustrative purposes.

Structural elements are designed according to ACI-318-08. Seismic forces, in this

example, are defined according to ASCE 7-20105. However, the procedure for
generating seismic forces according to other seismic codes such as UBC-97, NSR-98,
RCDF-04, CFE-93, GUAD-97, REP-04, E030-03, and CEC-01, is similar. Story drift ratio
amplified for the deflection amplification factor Cd, is limited to 0.02.
Other pertinent design data are as follows:
Load data:
Slab self-weight: 87.5 psf (7” two-way slab)
Superimpossed DL*: 50 psf
Live load: 50 psf
Roof live load: 30 psf
* Partitions, ceiling and mechanical
 67

Elements:
Interior columns: 20” x 20”
Exterior columns: 16” x 28”
Beams: 16” x 20”
Walls: 12”
Slab: 7” two-way
Materials:
Concrete: f’c = 4.0 ksi
w = 150 pcf
Reinforcement: fy = 60 ksi
Occupancy category: II (Importance factor. I =1)
Foundation soil:
Site class S = C (Very dense soil, ASCE 7, IBC)
Mapped Spectral Accelerations* Ss = 1.0, S1 = 0.4 (Equivalent to UBC-97 Z= 0.3)
* Maximum considered earthquake
68

Figure 5.1. Building considered in training example: Roof plan, typical floor framing
plan (Floor levels 3-10), floor plan floor level 2 and a longitudinal elevation

Creating the Structure

 Run EngSolutions RCB and in the Starting window select the option 3D Frame/Wall
in the group Create New Structure, to create a new three-dimensional model.
 In the story information window input 10 stories and press ENTER.
 Input the first story height equal to 15 ft and press ENTER:
 In the second entry, type 10 and press ENTER.
 Press the ENTER key several times to repeat the previous value, until reaching the
story height for the upper story.

The Building Wizard window should look as follows:

 Press ENTER or click the Next> button.

 Accept the proposed grid type (default), corresponding to an orthogonal system of
architectural axes.
 69

 Press ENTER or click the Next> button.

 For number of longitudinal axes type 4 and press ENTER.
 Enter the spacing between frames A and B equal to 20 ft and press ENTER.
 Press ENTER twice to repeat the previous value. The Building Wizard window should
look as follows:

 Press ENTER or click Next>.

 For Number of transversal frames type 7 and press ENTER.
 For spacing between transversal axes. Enter 25, pressing ENTER after each entry. The
Building Wizard window should look as shown below:
70

 Press ENTER or click Next>.

 In the Reentrant corners window do not do any editing. In the case of buildings with
re-entrant corners, such as buildings with floor plans shaped as “L”, “T”, “U”, etc., in
this step of the creation process the engineer may permanently remove slab panels
that do not exist. However, this can be done more conveniently later, after the 1st
story has been created.
 Click the Next> button
 In the Local Axes Coordinates is possible to edit coordinates of axis intersections, in
cases the architectural axes are not rectangular. The edition of axis intersections can
also be done after the model has been created.
 Click the Create button to create the first floor plan of the model.

 A window is shown, asking for the type of floor system. Select 4, which correspond to
a 2-way slab.
 71

 Change the slab thickness to 7” and click OK

Based on the previous data, EngSolutions RCB creates a first story, which we can edit
and use as basis for defining the rest of the model.

Change the current 3D view to a plan view by clicking the Plan View button (View
Buttons: ), in the View toolbar. If necessary, use the Zoom buttons or the Move
button , to enlarge, reduce or move the floor plan to the center of your
screen. The floor plan should look as shown in Figure 5.2.
72

Figure 5.2 Preliminary Floor Plan

In order to define the wall boundaries it is necessary to insert an axis between axes C
and D, which for demonstration purposes we did not include when entering the axis
information.

To edit structural Axes

 Activate the Grid Axis command , in the Elements toolbar

 In the Edit grid axes window (active command window) click the button Edit Grid.
 73

 Select Generate rectangular grid

 Leave the given x, y, dx, parameters.
 Click the OK button.

The structural Edit Axes window will appear and can be seen below.

 Use the wheel of the mouse to zoom in and out of the Edit axes window
 While holding the mouse wheel if desired, pan the model floor to a specified
location. The window should appear as Figure 5.3

Figure 5.3 Structural Axes editing window

74

The editing window includes a toolbar with commands to edit points, structural axes, and
regions. When you open this window, as a default Edit Axes is activated.

To insert structural axes

 In the Edit Axes command window select the option Add.

 Click the third axis right on the middle between C and D as shown in Figure 5.4.
This point defines the origin of the new structural axis.
 Move the mouse up to the fifth axis between C and D, and click again. This point
defines the end of the new structural axis and is shown in Figure 5.5.
 Using the Edit Points command in the toolbar, check the coordinates on the ends
of the new axes.

Figura 5.4 Interactive addition of structural axes

Note: The new structural axes that are added must begin and end on existing
lines, and should devide existing regions.
 75

Figura 5.5 Nuevo eje estructurale

Following the same procedure insert downward transverse axes between the third and
fourth axis and between the fourth and the fifth as shown bellow. After the addition of
these axes click the OK button.
76

In the following step we will remove the slab panels in the elevator area.

To remove slab panels

 Activate the Slab edition command in the Elements toolbar.

 Point the mouse cursor to the center of the panel to be removed and click the left
mouse button
 Click the Remove button in the property window
 To remove various panels in a single step, press and keep down the SHIFT key,
mark all panels to be removed and click the Remove button. Use this procedure to
remove all panels in the elevator area.

The configuration after removing slab panels should look as shown in Figure 5.6

Figure 5.6 Configuration after removing slab panels

Note: To re –add slab panels previously removed, select option Add slab panel in the
Edit slabs Window. Then select the panels to be added and click the Add
button in the Property window.
 77

The next step is to add the elevator core walls.

To add shear walls

 Activate the Wall edition command in the Elements toolbar

 In the Edit walls window (active command window) select option Add wall

 In the Wall property window enter a wall thickness equal to 12 in.

 Point the mouse cursor and click with the left mouse button to the intersection
defining the first end of the shear wall (for instance D-3)
 Move the mouse cursor to the other end of the wall and click the left mouse
button (for instance C-3). The program automatically connects the interior axis C’
creating two wall segments
 Using the same procedure, add all the shear walls of the elevators core.
 Using the same procedure, add all the shear walls around the perimeter of the
basement.

The configuration after adding the walls should look as shown in Figure 5.7.

Note: To remove a wall segment activate the Wall edition command (if it is not
active), select the wall segment and click the Remove button in the
Property window.

In the next step, we will edit beams. We can remove the beams embedded within the
walls and inexistent beams along transversal axes 3 and 5, add the longitudinal beam
along axis C’, and assign beam properties.

To remove beams

 Activate the Beam edition command , in the Elements toolbar.

 In the Edit beams window (active command window) select option Existing
beams. This is the default option when the command is activated.
 Select a beam by pointing at it with the mouse cursor and clicking the left mouse
button. For instance, mark the longitudinal beam C(2-3)
 In the window properties click the Remove button.
 To remove various beams in a single step, press and maintain down the SHIFT
key and select the following beams: 2(B-B’), 2(B’-C), A(2-3), A(5-6), C(5-6)
 Click the Remove button.
 Use the same procedure to remove transversal beams 3(A-B), 3(C-D), 5(A-B) y
5(C-D)
 Use the same procedure to remove the beams around the perimeter of the
basement.
78

Figure 5.7 Configuration after adding structural walls

To add beams

 In the Edit beams window (active command window) select the option Add beams
 Point and click the intersection that defines the first end of the beam (e.g. 3’-C)
 Move the mouse cursor to the other end of the beam and click the left mouse button
(e.g. 3’-D). The program automatically connects the intermediate axis C’ creating two
beam segments.
 Use the same procedure to add a horizontal beam on the C’ axis and a vertical beam
on the 4’ axis.

The configuration after adding and removing beams should look as shown in Figure 5.8
 79

Figure 5.8 Configuration after adding beams

To edit beam properties

 In the Edit beams window (active command window) select the option Existing
beams
 In the Edit beams window, in the selection options group, click the mini-button All
beams. With this button, all beams are selected in a single step. The property
window shows the properties that are common to all selected beams. All have
section property: Beam1.
 Click in the Property window the name Beam1
 A table is displayed showing the properties of section Beam1.
 Click the beam width (b), type 16 in and press ENTER.
 Click the depth of the beam (h), type 20 in and press ENTER.
 The program automatically computes area and inertia properties of the section.
 Click OK so that Beam1 become a rectangular beam section 16” x 20”. In this
example all beams will have this section. In a real project, we need to add various
beam sections to this table.
 Click in the Property window the name of the material Rconcrete1 (reinforced
concrete 1)
 Edit the compressive strength of concrete (f’c = 4 ksi) and enter modulus of elasticity
E and shear modulus G (~0.4 E) corresponding to the specified concrete quality
 Click OK
80

In the next step we will edit columns. We will remove the existent columns in the ends of
shear walls. If due to seismic considerations boundary zones are required at the ends of
shear walls, the program will automatically detect that condition and add them.

To remove columns

 Activate the Column edition command en the Elements toolbar

 In the Edit columns window (active command window) select the option Existing
columns
 Point at the column to be removed and select it by clicking the left mouse button. For
instance select column C-3
 Click the Remove button in the Property window (or press the Del key)
 To remove various columns in a single step press and hold down the SHIFT key,
mark the columns and click the Remove button. Use this procedure to remove
columns C-5, D-3, D-5
 Activate the command in the Edit window and select the option Existing columns and
also select L-Frame
 Now point the mouse to any column on the F axis and notice how all of the columns
become selected.
 Click the Remove button to delete all the columns on the F axis.
 Use this procedure to delete all the columns on the A axis.
 Select the remaining columns of the perimenter of the basement by pressing the
SHIFT key, and after having selected all the columns, click Remove.
 Click the Refresh button in the View toolbar to redraw the floor plan.

To edit column properties

 In the Edit column window, in the Selection options group, click the mini-button All
columns to select all columns
 In the Column properties window click property Column1
 In the Table of sections, change the section dimensions to b=20 in, h = 20 in.
 In the property Name, in the Table of sections, click at Column1 and change this
name to C20x20
 Click OK
 Click the Assign button to assign these changes
 Click at any point in the screen without pointing at any column
 81

To change properties of exterior columns

 In the selection options of the Edit columns window, select the option Story L-Frame
cols.
 Select column E-1. All columns along axis D are selected
 Press and hold down the SHIFT key
 Select column B-1. All columns along axis B are selected
 Change the selection option to Single column and release the SHIFT key

To add a new section

 In the Column properties window click at the name of the section C20x20
 In the table of sections, click the Add button to add a new section.
 Select a rectangular section and click the Next> button as shown in Figure 5.9.
 Edit the size of the new section to b = 16 in, h = 28 in
 Click OK.
 In the table of sections, change the name of the new section to C16x28.
 Click OK.
 Click Assign to apply these changes.

To modify column properties

 Select column B-1.

 Pressing and holding down the SHIFT key, select also columns C-2, C-6, D-2 y D-6.
 In the Column property window click the name of the section C20x20.
 In the sections list (left side of the table of sections) select section C16x28 and click
OK.
 In the Column properties window, in the property corresponding to orientation edit
the property value entering 0 degrees (to rotate the selected columns) and press
ENTER.
 Click the Assign to apply these changes.

The configuration to edit columns should look as shown in Figure 5.10. As an additional
exercise, it is suggested to change the section of column B-4, for a new circular section
24 in diameter (Oval: 24 in x 24 in)
82

Figure 5.9 Column sections

 83

Figure 5.10 Final configuration of first aerial slab.

The final configuration of the first floor plan should look as shown in Figure 5.10. It is
recommended to save periodically the model to avoid loosing information.

To Save the model

 In the File menu or in the Standard toolbar activate the command Save and save the
model assigning a file name.
84

We will use the first story created as basis to created the additional floor levels.

To create next level

 Change the current plan view to a 3D View clicking the 3D View button in the
View toolbar.
 Click the Next Floors button in the main View window
 In the displayed window, indicate that you just want to create up to floor level 3 (the
default is 11, which is the upper level)

 Click OK

The program creates a new story. If there are plan changes we can edit the new floor
plan, preferably in a plan view

To edit the typical floor plan

 Change again to a plan view clicking the Plan View button . The program shows
the current Floor level in the selection box near the View buttons (in this case floor
level 3)
 Activate the Slab edition command.
 Pressing and holding the SHIFT key, select the panels around the model.
 Remove these panels by clicking on the Remove button.

The basement perimeter walls and beams that rest on these could also be removed
individually. However, it is easier to remove the nodes which will automatically remove
the elements connected to these nodes.

 Activate the command Edit Nodes

 Select the nodes of the perimeter of the basement and remove them by clicking the
Remove button in the properties window.

The final configuration of the typical floor plan should look as shown in Figure 5.11
 85

Figure 5.11 Typical floor framing plan

To create the additional floors

 Click the Next Floors button.

 In the Create additional stories windows accept the defaults by clicking OK
 Change the current view for a 3D view to see the complete model
 If necessary, enlarge, reduce or move the model to see the whole model in the main
view window, using the commands Zoom(+), Zoom(-) and Move .

To edit the roof (roof of elevators and machine room)

 Change the current 3D View for a plan view (Floor level 11)
 Activate the Slab edition command
 In the Selection options group of the Edit slabs window (active command window)
select the option Floor panels
 Select any slab panel. All slab panels in the active floor are selected.
 Click the Remove button to remove all slab panels of the upper floor level
 In the Edit slabs window select the option Add slab panel
 In the Slab properties window click at the slab name: Slab type 1.
86

 In the Table of slab sections click at the Add button to add a new slab type.
 Select a two-way slab and click OK.
 Enter a slab thickness of 6 in and live load 30 psf. Then click OK.
 Press and hold down the SHIFT key and mark the slab panels corresponding to the
elevators and the central machine room
 Click the Add button to add these panels

The roof floor plan should look as shown in Figure 5.12

The beams and columns of the exterior axes could be removed individually. However, it
is much easier to remove the nodes, which will automatically remove the framing
elements.

Figure 5.12 Roof plan after re-addition of slabs

 Activate the Node edition command in the Elements toolbar. Note that the Node
edition command should not be confused with the Axis Intersection edition
command .
 In the Edit nodes window (active command window) select the option Floor L-Frame.
 Mark any on axis D. All nodes along D are selected.
 Click the Remove button. Nodes, beams and columns along D axis are removed.
 Select any node on axis A.
 Click the Remove button. All nodes and elements along Axis A are removed.
 87

 In the Edit nodes window select the Single node selection option.
 Press and hold down the SHIFT key and mark the exterior nodes C-2, C-6, D-2, D-6.
 Click the Remove button.
 Close the Edit nodes window to deactivate the command.

The final roof configuration should look as shown in Figure 5.13.

Figure 5.13 Roof floor framing plan

 Change the actual view for a 3D view using the 3D View button in the View toolbar.
 Save the model.

The final configuration of the 3D model should look as shown in Figure 5.14.

Making visible selected parts of the structure

To make visible a particular floor framing plan

 Click the Plan View button in the View toolbar

 In the selection box located near the View buttons, select the desired floor level. For
instance select floor level 10.
88

To make visible a particular frame of the model

 Click the Elevation view button in the View toolbar.

 In the selection box located near the View buttons, select the desired frame. For
instance select frame B.

To make visible part of a model in 3D

 Change the current view to a 3D view clicking the 3D View button in the View toolbar.
 In the View menu, select the command: View > Visible > Floor.
 The Visible window is displayed. To make visible floors 1 to 3, floor 3, and floor 9,
select the option Floors and input the following text: 1-3, 7, 9

 Click OK. After examining the result, make visible the complete structure, activating
the command: View > Visible > All.

To view a 3D solid structure

 Click the Solid View button .
 With the arrow keys on the keyboard, you can rotate the model in any direction.
 With the mouse wheel is possible to zoom(+) and zoom (-).
 Press and hold the mouse wheel to move the model to any location on the window.
 The above commands are also available in the main program window.
 89

Figure 5.14 3D configuration

Interactive commands, such as printing command and design commands, operate only
on the elements that are visible. Therefore, when a certain region of the structure, such
as a particular frame, and a design command is activated, the program only designs the
elements of that frame.

In this example the geometry is perfectly regular. If in the real structure, the axes do not
conform an orthogonal grid, we can edit the individual axes intersections to model the
actual geometry.
90

To Edit Axis intersections

 Activate the Axis intersection edition command in the Elements toolbar.

 Change the current view to a plan view corresponding to floor level 10. Edition of axis
intersections can be done in any view. However, it is much easier to perform such
editing in a plan view.
 Holding the SHIFT key, select the intersections E-3, E-4 and E-5.

The editing of intersections can be done interactively by dragging the mouse to the new
location, or numerically entering coordinates.

To edit intersections interactively:

 In the Edit grid points command window click the minibutton Move y-selected
 Slowly move the mouse vertically by dragging the selected items to the desired
location. In the Message Bar you will find displayed the instantaneous cooridnates of
the selected points.
 Click to complete the desired displacement.

Figure 5.15 Configuration after editing axis E

 91

To edit intersections numerically:

 In the properties window the program displays the Y coordinate of the points
selected. Edit the value of the Y, entering 83 ft pressing ENTER twice to complete
the entry and assing the new value.

The floor plan configuration should look as shown in Figure 5.15. The change in
coordinates applies to all floor plans even though only floor plan 10 was visible, as the
Axis intersection object referts to the complete collection of nodes form floor level 1 to the
upper floor, associated to the same intersection of architectural axes.

The command to modify the coordinates of the particular node corresponding to the
selected floor plan is the Nodes edition command , which operates on individual
nodes.

To edit the height of mezzanine:

 Activate the Edit floors command on the Toolbar of elements.

 Select the 4th floor, clicking on the title of the elevation 4 in the main window.
 In the Floor properties window edit the value of the DH and enter 16 ft. Press Enter
twice to accept and assign the new value.
 The program redraws the model with the new story height.
92

Figure 5.16 Cofiguration after modifying the mezzanine level 4

In this element all elements were defined in plan view, generating individual stories,
which usually is the most convenient way for modeling a building structure. Alternatively,
in cases of regular geometries, is feasible to create first a 3D basic model, generating all
floors at once and then remove/add beams, columns, walls, and slabs, working with the
complete 3D view, or alternating floor plans with elevations. In EngSolutions RCB, is
possible to add and remove elements at any time.

Assigning Nodal Supports

In this example the structure is idealized as supported on nodal supports. Nodal supports
in EngSolutions RCB can be rigid or deformable. Rigid supports include the
conventional: fixed, hinges, rollers, and special supports in which the engineer decides
which degrees of freedom are restrained. Deformable supports consists of multiaxial
elastic springs. In this example the structure is modeled as supported on fixed supports.

To assign supports

 Activate the Nodal supports edition command in the Elements toolbar.

 Change the current view to a 3D view of the complete model.
 93

 Select in the Support properties window the type of support. By default, the selected
type of support is fixed, which will be used in this example.
 To assign a support a particular node, select the node pointing it with the mouse
cursor and pressing the left mouse button. For instance, select the lower node of
column A-7. A fixed support is generated in that point.

By default, the active selection option in the Edit supports window is Single node. To
assign all nodal supports in a single step, click the mini-button All ground nodes in the
Selection.

The command to assign supports as all interactive commands in the Elements toolbar, is
an interactive command that remains active even after all nodal supports have beenn
assigned. The engineer may reassign other support types to some particular nodes. The
command remains active until the engineer deactivates the command or activates a new
command.

To deactivate the Nodal supports edition command close the Edit supports window
(Active command window )

Applying Loads Manually

Loads can be applied manually or automatically. Manual loads can be applied to nodes,
members and walls. In most cases, loads are applied automatically. However, the
manual procedure to apply loads will be illustrated first.

To apply loads to members

 Activate the command Load > Member in the menu bar. The menu that must be
opened to activate the command is shown below.
94

 A window is shown asking for a tile for the load case that will be created. Type DEAD
and press ENTER. Click the OK button.

In the load properties window the engineer defines the type of load. The types of load
are: Class: force or moment, Type: distributed or concentrated, System: global o
local, Direction: X, Y, or Z (or local axes 1, 2, or 3) etc. The default load is a
distributed load defined with reference to the global axes of the structure, acting
along the Z direction.

 Accept the default type of load. Click at the A/L value (0), which defines the starting
point of the load. Type 0.2 and press ENTER.
 Click at the B/L value (1), which defines the loaded length. Type 0.6 and press
ENTER.
 Click at the initial value of the load Wiz. Type 3 and press ENTER. The program
automatically makes the final value of the load Wjz equal to the initial value.

With the above, a distributed load of 3 kip/ft, starting at 0.2 L and ending at 0.8 L
(loaded length is 0.6L), where L is the length of the loaded member. The Load
properties window should look as shown in Figure 5.13.

 In the window Edit member loads (active command window), select the option
Members down in the Selection group. This multiple-selection-option means that
 95

when an element is marked, that element and those elements directly below it are
selected.
 Point at beam E(5-6) on floor level 10, press and hold down the left mouse button to
see the selected elements and then release the mouse button.
 Repeat the previous step, selecting the same elements.

When loads are re-applied to members, loads get added. Hence, in our
Note: example, the distributed load acted on the elements is now 6 kip/ft.

 Point as beam 2(B-C) on floor level 10, press and hold down the left mouse button to
see the selected members. Keeping the mouse button down move the mouse cursor
away from the marked element and the release the button.

If an element is marked and then the mouse cursor is moved away,

Note:
when the mouse button is released, the element is not selected and the
command is not executed. This feature of marking elements and see
them before they get selected is useful in complex model where the
wrong element may be marked.

(a) (b)

Figure 5.13 (a) Member loads window and (b) Load properties window

To see the value of an existing load

 In the Edit member loads window (active command window) select the option
Existing loads.
 Select any loaded member.
 The properties will be displayed in the Load properties window.

If an element has various type of loads (distributed forces, concentrated

Note: forces, moments, etc.) it is possible to select each one of these loads by
repeatedly selecting the element.
96

To edit an existing load

 With the Load Edition command being active, select any loaded element.
 Edit the load value in the Load property window. For instance change the initial value
of the load to 4 kip/ft and press ENTER to complete the entry.
 Press ENTER again or click the Assign button to assign the new value. The
uniformly distributed load is replaced by a trapezoidal load.

To remove an existing load

 Winth the Load Edition command being active, select any loaded element.
 Click the Remove button to remove the load.
Generating Self Weight of Elements
 Activate the command Load > Automatic > Self Weight in the menu bar.

To compute the self-weight of each element, the program uses the section of the element
and the unit weight of the assigned material. Alternatively, the user may input modified
unit weights for columns, beams and walls.

 Click OK.

The Weight of beams and braces is applied as a uniformly distributed load

Note:
along the length of the member. The weight of columns is applied as a
concentrated load in the upper node of the element. The weight of walls is
represented as a uniformly distributed load at the top of the element. Self-
weight loads are grouped in a load case named Self-Weight, D0. This load
case does not include the self-weight of slabs.

Generating Floor Loads

Previously to generating floor loads, change the current view to a Plan view. Select for
instance the floor-framing plan of floor level 10. This is in order to visualize the floor load
distribution performed by EngSolutions RCB.

 Activate the command Load > Automatic > Floor Load in the menu bar.
 A window is displayed; asking if the existing load case DEAD should be deleted.
Load case DEAD groups the member loads applied manually in a previou
section of this example. Click the YES button to remove these loads.

EngSolutions RCB makes the distribution of floor loads for each floor level using the
properties assigned to slabs, and show total values of dead load and live load for each
floor level and for the complete model. For our example structure the total values are: DL
= 7685 kip and LL = 1844 kip. Dead load includes the self-weight of the slab and the
superimposed dead load. The computed loads are grouped into load cases DEAD and
LIVE, which are abbreviated as DL and LL.

To see the floor load distribution move the Automatic distribution of floor loads window
(point at the window title bar, press the left mouse button and move the window while
holding down the mouse button)
 97

The floor load distribution should look as shown in Figure 5.14. Each element and its
tributary area are drawn in the same color.

Figure 5.14 Distribution of floor loads to adjoining beams and walls.

The method for load distribution is general and works well even in the case of irregular
geometries, floor panels supported along 3 or 2 sides only, panels with different
reinforcement direction, floor with ‘diagonal’ walls or beams, etc.

 Click OK to close the Automatic distribution of floor loads window.

To see the load distribution on a different floor, it is necessary to run the command again
allowing the program to delete the previous loads. Floor loads are generated for all the
floor levels in the model.

Once floor loads have been generated automatically, it is possible to add manually any
missing loads corresponding to non-structural models not present in the model (e.g.
stairs, cantilevers, etc) These manual loads can be grouped in a separated load case
(DEAD 2, etc.) or can be included in the same load case generated automatically by the
program.
98

Modes and Frequency Analysis

To compute the natural frequencies of the building model and its mode shapes:

 Activate the command Analysis > Modes/freq in the menu bar.

 A window is displayed asking to input the number of modes to be computed. Type
15 and click OK.
 A window is displayed to specify the load combination for computing masses.
Accept the proposed values, that is, press ENTER for each factor.

Note: In EngSolutions RCB the mass matrix is computed automatically based on the
loads acting on the structure. In this example the mass matrix is computed as:

M = (D0 + DL) / g.

In buildings for storage ASCE7-10 requires the inclusion of 25% of the floors
live load, then the combination would be:

M = (D0 + DL + .25 LL) / g.

 The program shows a record of all analysis steps. When the dynamic analysis is
completed, the program shows in a table the accumulated percentage of the
participating mass. In this example, with 12 modes, in the X-direction participates
99.19% of the mass, and in the Y-direction participates 99.62%. If any of those
values was smaller than that prescribed in the building code (80% to 90%) and
earthquake forces were to be determined from an spectral analysis or a time history
analysis, it would be required to repeat the analysis computing a larger number of
modes.
 Press OK.

Displaying Mode Shapes

To visualize the mode shapes it is convenient to change the current view to a 3D view.

 Activate the command Results > Analysis > Mode Shapes in the menu bar.
 The first mode shape is shown. Click the mini-button Next Mode in the Mode Shapes
window (active command window) to see other mode shapes and their respective
natural frequencies and periods. The fourth mode shape is shown in Figure 5.15.
 Click the mini-button Animate in the Mode Shapes window to se an animation of the
active mode shape. Click anywhere in the main window to stop the animation.
 99

Figure 5.15 Display of mode shapes

Generating Earthquake Forces

EngSolutions RCB can generate automatically static equivalent earthquake forces, or
perform response spectrum analysis, or perform a time-history analysis, according to
numerous seismic codes. In this example a spectral analysis will be carried out according
to ASCE 7-10. The loading procedure for other seismic codes such as UBC-97, NSR-98,
RCDF-04, CFE-93, GUAD-97, REP-04, E030-03, CEC-01 is similar to that of ASCE7-05.

To perform a spectral analysis

 Activate the command Load > Automatic > EQ Spectral in the menu bar.
 A window is displayed, showing several seismic codes available. Select ASCE 7-05.
100

 For the seismic resistance system choose Dual System ( special porches and special
shear walls) in both directions and Special Category, click OK to continue.
 A window is displayed asking if the analysis would be carried out for a specified
angle of attack or for two orthogonal directions X and Y. Click OK to perform two
spectral analyses in the X and Y directions.
 The program asks for the number of modes to be considered in the modal analyses.
By default, the program suggests the same number of modes that were computed.
Press ENTER to accept the default value of 15.
 Input values of the Response modification coefficient R equal to 7 for the two
directions (X and Y), which according to ASCE 7-10, correspond to dual structural
systems of shear walls and special moment resisting frames (SMRF) resisting at
least 25% of the prescribed seismic forces.
 Click Next>.
 Input the seismic parameters as shown in Figure 5.16.
 101

Figure 5.16 Seismic parameters

 Accept the computed design response acceleration parameters computed by the

program, which correspond to the entered mapped spectral accelerations and site
class. Sds = 0.67 (spectral acceleration at the plateu of the design response
spectrum), Sd1 = 0.37 (spectral acceleration in the descending branch of the design
response spectrum for T=1 sec).
 Click Next>>.
 Accept the proposed Seismic Design Category SDC = D.
 Click Next>>.

The total weight of the building, computed from the load combination that was used to
determine the mass matrix (W = D0 + DL + 0.25 LL), is reported along with the static
base shear Vo in each direction. Press ENTER to accept the computed values. The
combined dynamic base shear cannot be smaller than Vo. The corresponding table is
shown in Figure 5.17.
102

Figure 5.17 Static base shear

 EngSolutions RCB reports in a table the Period T, for each mode of vibration and
the corresponding spectral acceleration Sa. In this table, the user may edit the values
of Sa. Hence, any response spectrum different from the code specified design
spectrum, includding the spectrum of a specific earthquake record, could be
considered in the spectral analysis. For our example we accept the spectral
acceleration obtained from the selected code. Click Next>>.
 A window is displayed, showing various methods of modal combination available,
including SAV, SRSS, CQC, ½(SAV+SRSS) and 0.25 SAV + 0.75 SRSS. For this
example select SRSS (square root of sum of squares) and click OK.
 EngSolutions RCB displays a table with the modal inelastic spectral acceleration
Sa/R, modal effective weight W’, and modal base shear Vm, for each mode and in
each direction of earthquake loading. This table also shows, for each direction, the
Dynamic (combined) base shear, the Static base shear and the Design base shear,
which is the larger from of the previous values. The engineer may edit the value of
the design base shear. If the design base shear is different from the dynamic base
shear, EngSolutions RCB automatically scales the combined shears for all stories.
The design base shear for the example structure are: Vx = 606 kip and Vy = 763
kip.
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Note: This table shows the percentage for each direction of teh building mass
involved in each direction for the number of modes calculated. If there is a
values less than 80%, it must perform frequency analysis and again vibration
modes by calculating a greater number of modes, and then performing the
spectral analysis again.

Figure 5.18 Design Base Shear

 Click Next >>.

 Click Next >> again to accept the default values of accidental eccentricity, which are
the values specified in the selected seismic code (For ASCE 7-10, accidental torsion
is 5% of the corresponding building dimension).
104

 A window is displayed asking which method to use to compute the center of rigidity
of each floor level. Select the option based on the fundamental mode shapes.
 Click OK to accept the default definitions of design eccentricity, which is the
appropriate for the selected seismic code. The design eccentricity is defined in terms
of the static (inherent) eccentricity (es distance from the center of mass to the center
of torsion), and the accidental eccentricity (). For ASCE 7-10 the design
eccentricities are: es +  and es - .
 A table is displayed showing for the first definition of design eccentricity (es + ), the
following data for each story and for each direction of earthquake loading: center of
mass, static (inherent) eccentricity, accidental eccentricity, and design eccentricity.
 Click Next >> to display the above data for the second definition of design
eccentricity (es - ).
 Click Next >> to generate load case EQX. The program draws combined nodal
forces and displays a table showing for each story the resultant dynamic force,
accumulated shear, and accidental torsion. When the actual analysis is conducted,
the program solves the model for these combined forces, and based on the results,
establishes initial values and signs for displacements and element internal forces.
Then the program establishes the actual result envelopes from the spectral analysis.
 Click Next >> to generate load case EQY. The program draws combined nodal
forces and displays a table showing for each story the resultant dynamic force,
accumulated shear, and accidental torsion. When the actual analysis is conducted,
the program solves the model for these combined forces, and based on the results,
establishes initial values and signs for displacements and element internal forces.
Then the program establishes the actual result envelopes from the spectral analysis.
 The program produces a report with a summary of the earthquake loading definition.
This report can be printed with its own Print command, or it can be Saved as either a
text file (*.txt) or as an Eprint file (*.epr), which can latter be printed with program
Eprint. Users of Adobe Acrobat can print the report selecting as printer Adobe PDF,
to create a pdf file.
 Close the Report.
 Save the model.

Wind Forces
In EngSolutions RCB you can generate wind foreces according to various regulations.
The procedure is similar for all. In this example, the design is controlled by earthquake,
however for purposes of illustration this example will demonstrate the general procedure
of wind forces. It is assumed that the building is located in a zone of strong winds with a
basic wind speed, for 3 seconds burst of 124 mph.

To generate wind forces

 Activate the command Load > Automatic > Wind load on the menu bar.
 A window is presented, showing a list of regulations available. Select ASCE 7-10.
 A window appears asking for load factors to calculate the mass matrix. Accept the
default values. Clic OK.
 A window appears asking for the number of floors below ground surface (height not
exposed to wind). Click OK to accept the default value of one.
 105

 A table appears with default values for the parameters of wind loads which, the
engineer can edit. Loading parameters include basic wind speed (160 mph),
exposure category (C: open terrain with few obstructions), directional factor (0.85:
Lateral resistance system), topography factor (1: flat land) and pressure coefficients
for windward façade (0.8), leeward (-0.5 wind in X, -0.42 wind in Y) and sidewalls (-
0.7). By default the program does not include the suction on the cover. In the case of
low-rise buildings, this can be important and should be included. Depending on the
geometry of this cover it can be calculated automatically by entering a pressure
coefficient or calculated and manually applied at the end of the generation. The
parameter table with wind loads is shown in Figure 5.19.
 Click Next >> to accept the proposed values.

Figure 5.19 Parameters for wind loads

EngSolutions RCB classifies the structure as their response to wind loads, as rigid or
flexible, and calculates the effects of gust factors, using a rational analysis of the selected
code. The program presents the values of the gust factor for a rigid and a flexible
structure with damping factors of 2% and 1%. Then the program sets the appropriate
value for the actual stiffness of the structure. The engineer can accept these values or
edit them by entereing different values.

 Click Next >> to accept the given wind gust factor values.
106

Figure 5.20 Gust factors

Figure 5.21 Velocity pressure

 107

The valyues of the velocty pressure at each level of the model are presented. If for some
reason the engineer would like to modify the values of the pressure can do so by editing
the values in the table. The program will use the modified values.

Figura 5.22 Design wind load cases

Figure 5.22 Accidental torsion for wind loads

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The program automatically identifies external nodes, determines nodal tributary areas,
and calculates the wind forces in each of the walls of the building (windward and leeward
sides). The calculated is performed first for the X direction, generating X wind load case:
WX.

The program has the full force of the wind on each floor as well as all the values needed
in the review by overturning and sliding. (ie, the total shear basal overturning moments
caused by lateral forces and the suction in the roof, the total weight of the building and
the stabilizing moment by gravity).

Figure 5.22 Wind forces in the X direction

 Click Next >> to generate the wind forces in the Y direction (Wind Y: WLY).
 The program produces a report with a summary of the wind forces. This report can
be printed with your own print command or can be saved as a text file (*.txt) or as a
file format (*.Epr) to be printed with ePrint program. Close the report.
 Save the model with the Save command on the Toolbar on the File menu.

Analyzing the Structure

To run the analysis

 Activate the Run Analysis command in the Standard toolbar or in the Analysis
menu.
 Do the following in the Analysis options window: (a) select the P-Delta option for
order of analysis (b) select option Incremental for type of gravity load analysis, (c)
mark the checkmark indicating to compute the redundancy factor. The type of lateral
 109

load analysis is Spectral, which was the procedure used to define earthquake
loading.

In cases of buildings of moderate height, a conventional analysis may be used for the
gravity load analysis. For tall buildings however, an incremental analysis modeling the
construction process is more accurate. For this example an incremental analysis is
selected for demonstration purposes.

 Click OK to perform the analysis.

 The program asks how many stories are to be added in each incremental
construction step of the analysis. Click OK to accept the default value equal to 1.
 A table is shown with the gravity load coefficients during each construction step. The
default values are 1 for self weight, 0.8 for the additional dead load during the
intermediate steps and 1 at the end of construction (the loading from finishing
elements is applied at the end of construction). For live load the proposed factor is 0
for the intermediate steps and 1 at the end of construction. Alternatively, a live load
during construction can be specified as a factor of the final live load.
 Click OK to accept the proposed values.
 Click OK to accept the proposed gravity load coefficients for the P-Delta (it is
suggested to use the same combinations used to define masses in the lateral load
analysis)

The program performs the analysis simulating the story-by-story construction process.
AT the end of the analysis, the program reports the computation time along with a record
of the analysis steps.

Displaying Analysis Results

Deformed Shape

 Activate the command Results > Analysis > Deformed shape in the menu bar.
 The original configuration and the deformed shape of the model, for the active load
case EQY, are displayed.
 Click the active load case title (EQY) to change to the next load case (D0). Click the
load case title again several times to see the deformed shape for each load cases
until the load case EQY becomes active again
 Point at any member in the original configuration (no the deformed one). Press and
hold down the left mouse button to view graphically and numerically the deflections at
any point, as shown in Figure 5.23. Drag the cursor (while holding down the mouse
button) along the length of the selected member to display deflections along the
member.

Bending Moment Diagram

 Activate the command Results> Analysis > Moment diagram in the menu bar.
 Click the load case title a few times to see moment diagrams for different load cases.
If necessary, use the mini-buttons Double scale and half scale in the Bending
moment window to enlarge or reduce the scale of the diagram.
 In order to see the results for a specific frame instead of the complete model, change
the current 3D View for an elevation view using the View buttons.
110

 Select longitudinal frame B. The moment diagrams for load case DL should look as
shown in Figure 5.24.
 Point-and-hold-down the left mouse button at any member to display graphically and
numerically the moment at any point. Drag the mouse cursor along the member to
display local information.

Note: The sign convention for shear and moment diagrams can be changed activating
the command View > Options. In this example, diagrams are being drawn in the
direction of tensions (negative moments upward and positive moments
downward).

Figure 5.23 Displaying deformed shape

 Select the option Member results in the Bending Moment window.

 Select column A-7 in the first story. With this option, the program shows values of the
six internal forces (axial force, flexural moments, torsion moment and shear forces)
along the element, for the active load case, as shown in Figure 5.25.
 Close the window with internal force results.
 111

Shear Force Diagram

 Change the view to a 3D View using the View buttons.

 Activate the command Results> Analysis > Shear diagram in the menu bar.
 Click the load case title a few times to change the load case, observing the shear
diagrams for each case. If necessary, use the mini-buttons Double scale and Half
scale in the Bending moment window to enlarge or reduce the scale of the diagram.
 Point-and-hold-down the left mouse button at any member to display graphically and
numerically the shear at any point. Drag the mouse cursor along the member to
display local information.

Figure 5.24 Moment diagram for frame B

Support Reactions

 Activate the command Results > Analysis > Support reactions in the menu bar.
112

 Select any support. The Support reaction property window shows the six reaction
components for the selected load case.

Figure 5.25 Internal forces along an element

Checking Story Drift Ratios

EngSolutions RCB displays an envelope of relative lateral displacements between
consecutive floors (drifts) divided by the story height (story drift ratio), for all lateral load
cases. This allows a quick check for compliance with local building codes.

To display lateral story drift ratios:

 Activate the command Results > Analysis > Story drift in the menu bar.
 113

 A window is displayed asking for the displacement amplification factor D, and the
limit (allowable) story drift ratio. Enter for the two directions of seismic loading a
displacement amplification factor equal to 5.5 and a limit story drift ratio equal to
0.020, which are the appropriate values for the selected code, for the dual structural
system selected in the example. Click the OK button.

Note: For ASCE7-05 D = Cd/I, where Cd = deflection amplification factor and I =

Importance factor. For RCDF-04 and CFE-93, D = Q, where E = seismic
behavior factor.
For NSR-98 D = 1.0 as for that norm, seismic forces are not divided by R, but
computed internal forces due to earthquake loading, determined during the
analysis, are divided by R.

 EngSolutions RCB computes for each column and for the boundary of each shear
wall portion, the relative lateral displacement between consecutive floors divided by
the corresponding story height, for each lateral load case, and draws column axes in
different colors according to the maximum computed value. The program uses red
colors when the limit value is exceeded; yellow when the maximum computed value
is close to the limit value, and green colors when the computed drift ratio is smaller
than the limit value. The program also presents the maximum story ratio computed
for the whole building (considering all column axes, all stories, all load cases), and
the maximum value computed for the center of mass of all stories.
114

Figure 5.26 Envelope of lateral story drift ratio

 The Story drift window (active command window) includes options for presenting
results for the two components (X and Y) of story drift ratio and for the resultant drift
ratio.
 Select any column or wall boundary. The program shows in the Property window the
values of lateral drift ratio for the selected element.

Defining Load Combinations

Load combinations are the loading conditions for which the structure is designed. Load
combinations are assembled as combinations of load cases. EngSolutions RCB
generates automatically the design load combinations required by various building
codes.

To define load combinations:

 Activate the command LoadComb > ACI-318-08 in the menu bar.

 A window is displayed asking for parameters needed to define load combinations.
The program proposes appropriate values according to the selected code but allows
the engineer to change these defaults. These values include the following:
(a) Level at which seismic forces are defined (service or strength)
 115

(b) Bidirectional effects factor (e.g. 30%, means considering 100% earthquake in
one direction acting simultaneously with 30% earthquake in the other direction)
(c) Redundancy factor (when seismic forces were defined according to ASCE 7-05,
IBC-03, or UBC-97).
(d) Coefficient for the vertical component of earthquake loading (when seismic
forces were defined according to ASCE 7-05, IBC-03, or UBC-97).

Figure 5.27 Design load combinations

 Click OK to accept the proposed values for the above parameters.

 The program generates a total of 22 load combinations (34 if wind loads cases had
been generated), which are the ones required by the selected code. The second of
those combinations becomes the active load combination. Analysis results can now
be displayed for the active load combination. The active load combination can be
selected by clicking the load combination number (left column) in the load
combination table. The engineer may edit the load coefficients in the table

To display analysis results for load combinations

 Activate the command Results > Analysis > Deformed shape in the menu bar.
 The program shows the deformed structure for the active load combination.
 Click the load combination title to change the active load combination.
.
116

Figure 5.28 Analysis results for active load combination

To display shear wall results:

 Activate the command Results > Analysis > Wall Stresses >Stress resultants.
 The program displays contours of vertical stress resultant for the active load
combination. For this combination, seismic loads are EQX directed in the -X direction
and 0.3 EQY directed in –Y direction. As shown in Figure 5.29, wall on axis C are in
compression while walls on axis B are resisting a small traction. Compression is
larger on walls near axis 2 than in walls near axis 6.
 117

Figure 5.29 Vertical stress resultants in walls

 Activate the command Results > Analysis > Wall Internal forces.
 Select the wall segment 6(B’-C’). The program presents in the Property window
values of axial load P, shear force V, and moments M, at the top and at the bottom
ends of the wall segment.
 Select in the Wall internal forces window (active command window) the selection
option Plane wall. The program shows now the total forces for the complete plane
wall 6(B-C), combining results for the wall portions 6(B-B’) and 6(B’-C).
 The above internal forces are the ones used to design walls.

Sign conventions and detailed information about the wall element output is presented in
Chapter 6.

Designing Structural Elements

EngSolutions RCB designs structural elements according to various building codes. In
the structural design, the program determines the required steel reinforcement for any
section, considering all load combinations.
118

To design beams

 Activate the command Design> Beams in the menu bar.

 Select as building code ACI-318-08.
 Select special seismic design.

EngSolutions RCB starts the design process, determining for each beam element, and
the required areas of steel for flexure, shear and torsion at eleven, equally spaced
sections, along the clear span of the element.

Figure 5.30 Beam design

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All beams are designed only for mayor bending. Any effect due to axial loads and minor
bending must be investigated by the engineer, independently from the program.

EngSolutions RCB first establishes the envelopes of negative moment and positive
moment, from all load combinations, at the eleven design sections. These envelopes are
modified to account for the special provisions for seismic design. Thus, for high seismic
risk cases (special moment resisting frames), the moment envelopes are modified so
that: 1) at any end support of the beam, the beam positive moment is not less than ½ of
the beam negative moment at that end; 2) the negative moment at any design section is
not less than ¼ of the negative moment at any end section; 3) the positive moment at
any design section is not less than ¼ of the positive moment at any end section. Flexural
reinforcement for negative and positive moments is calculated on the basis of the
modified design envelopes, the section properties and the material properties (f’c y fy).

EngSolutions RCB enforces the minimum steel ratio specified in the design code,
including provisions for seismic design. The program checks for the number of bar layers
to fit the tension reinforcement and automatically adjusts the value of the effective depth,
d, if necessary.

Shear reinforcement calculation is based on the envelope of absolute value of shear

force, from all the design load combinations, which is also established at the eleven
design sections. In cases of special seismic design, the shear envelope is modified so
that the design shear at any design section is not smaller than the seismic shear,
computed from the moment capacities of each end of the beam and the gravity shear
forces. The end moment capacities are estimated with no strength reduction factors, and
using a stress of 1.25 fy in the longitudinal reinforcement.

EngSolutions RCB computes the size of stirrups and their required spacing along the
length of the beam, taking into account the limits for seismic design, in concrete shear
capacity and the shear that can be resisted by the steel reinforcement, as specified in the
selected design code.

The top and bottom fibers of each member are drawn in different colors according to the
steel ratio required at each section, which allows the user to see which members need to
be resized.

Estimate of building materials

After all beam elements have been designed, the program reports the required amount of
materials, including volume of concrete, weight of flexural reinforcement and weight of
stirrups.

The computation of volume of concrete is based on the dimensions of the cross section
of the elements and their total length (node-to-node). Thus, there is a small error in the
120

computation, as the volume of the nodes (intersections between longitudinal and

transverse beams) is counted twice.

The computed weight of stirrups is based on actual bars and includes the weight of
hooks.

The computed weight of flexural steel is on the other hand theoretical, as it is based on
the values of steel ratio computed at eleven design sections. The actual weight of flexural
reinforcement is larger because of splices, hooks and the conversion to actual bar sizes.

To design columns

 Activate the command Design > Columns in the menu bar.

 Select as design building code ACI-318-05.
 Select special seismic design.

EngSolutions RCB starts the design process, determining for each column, the required
areas of longitudinal steel, at each clear end of the element (top and bottom), based
upon the acting axial load and biaxial bending moments, for each design load
combination. The program determines the largest computed area of steel along with the
load combination that requires it (critical load combination). The program also determines
the required shear reinforcement, considering all design load combinations.

Figure 5.31 Column design

 121

EngSolutions RCB uses the moment magnifier concept to account for slenderness
effects. The computation of the required steel reinforcement is based on an iterative
procedure that involves the partial generation of load-biaxial moment interaction
surfaces, for varying steel ratios. The reinforcement is assumed to be uniformly
distributed around the section of the column, with a constant concrete cover d’. The
program enforces the requirements of strong column-weak beam for special moment
resisting frames.

The shear reinforcement is designed for each load combination in the two local directions
of the column. In cases of special seismic design, the reinforcement is also designed for
a shear force determined from the end moment capacity of the member. The end
moment capacities are estimated with no strength reduction factors, using a stress of
1.25 fy in the longitudinal reinforcement.

EngSolutions RCB computes the size of stirrups, cross-ties or legs and their required
spacing along the length of the column, taking into account the limits for seismic design,
in concrete shear capacity, balance shear that can be resisted by the steel, and spacing
of stirrups.

During the design process, each column is drawn in different colors according to the
required steel ratio, which allows the user to see which members need to be resized.

Estimate of building materials

After all column elements have been designed, the program reports the required amount
of materials, including volume of concrete, weight of longitudinal reinforcement and
weight of ties.

The computation of volume of concrete is based on the dimensions of the cross section
of the columns and their clear length. The computed weight of ties is based on actual
bars and includes any cross-ties required as well as the weight of hooks. The computed
weight of longitudinal steel is theoretical, as it is based on the required steel ratio rather
than on actual bars.
122

To design shear walls

 Activate the command Design > Walls in the menu bar.

 Select as building code ACI-318-05.
 Select special seismic design.
 Select designing boundary zones using the strain method (UBC, SEAOC)

EngSolutions RCB starts the design process, determining for each wall, the required
vertical and horizontal reinforcement, at each end section of the wall (top and bottom),
based upon the acting shear force, axial load and in-plane bending moment, for each
design load combination. The program determines the largest computed reinforcement
and the critical load combinations.

The calculation procedure consists in designing the wall for shear first, and then checking
adequacy under combined axial load and bending moment in the plane of the wall. The
vertical and horizontal reinforcement, required by shear, are determined according to the
design code, including the special provisions for seismic design. The program enforces
code requirements for minimum steel ratio, reinforcement spacing and number of
reinforcement layers.

For low-rise buildings, the uniformly distributed vertical reinforcement required for shear,
usually provides adequate resistance for combined axial loads and bending moment in
the plane of the wall. If additional reinforcement is required, the program concentrates it
at the ends of the wall.

For high-rise buildings in seismic risk regions, boundary elements are usually required.
EngSolutions RCB determines if boundary elements are required using either the stress
method or the strain method.

If the engineer defined boundary zones as columns, the program computes the required
steel reinforcement. One column may act as boundary zone of various wall portions (for
example a column at a corner of a “C” shaped shear wall). The amount of steel
reinforcement that should be provided is that larger (not the addition) from those reported
by the program in column design results and those reported in wall design results.
 123

Figure 5.32 Shear wall design

If the engineer did not create the boundary zones but they are required, the program
automatically sizes them and determines the required steel reinforcement. The width of
the boundary zones is initially taken as the wall thickness, and their length along the wall
is taken as a fraction of the wall length. If the computed steel ratio is excessive, the two
dimensions of the boundary zone is increased simultaneously.

The complete wall section included boundary zones is also checked for adequacy under
combined axial load and bending in the plane of the wall.

During the design process, each wall is drawn in different colors according to the
required vertical steel ratio, which allows the user to see which elements need to be
resized.

Estimate of building materials

After all wall elements have been designed, the program reports the required amount of
materials, including volume of concrete, weight of longitudinal reinforcement and weight
of horizontal reinforcement.

The computation of volume of concrete is based on the thickness of the walls, and the
dimensions of the panel as well as the size of any boundary element. The computed
124

weight of horizontal reinforcement is based on actual bars but does not include the
weight of hooks. The computed weight of vertical reinforcement is based on the required
steel ratio rather than on actual bars.

It is noticed that in walls with boundary elements the amount of materials may get
overestimated. However, the user can make manually the necessary adjustments. If the
user generates boundary elements as columns, they are included in the estimate of
materials for columns. In the design of walls, these boundary elements are again
included in the estimate of materials. In fact, some of theses elements might be included
twice: as boundary elements for longitudinal wall portions and as boundary elements for
transversal wall portions.

Displaying Design Results

The user can display detailed design results for any element just by selecting it with the
mouse, after activating the appropriate command.

To display beam design results

 Activate the command Results > Design > Beams

Figure 5.33 Beam design results

 Point-and-click with the left mouse any beam to display graphically and numerically
its design results..

EngSolutions RCB displays the envelopes of negative moment, positive moment, shear
force, and torsion from all design load combinations, and prints the required area of steel
 125

reinforcement and size and spacing of stirrups at various sections of the member. The
program also proposes a distribution of stirrups along the member.
(e.g. 13 #3 @ 3” + 27 #3 @ 7” + 13 #3 @ 3”)

 In the Beam design window select the option Reinforcement detail. The program
presents a suggested reinforcement detailing for the complete beam

Figure 5.34 Suggested reinforcement detailing

To display column design results

 Activate the command Results > Design > Columns.

 Point-and-click with the left mouse button any column to display its design results.

EngSolutions RCB displays the load biaxial-bending moments interaction surface for
the required longitudinal reinforcement, size of ties and cross-ties, and their required
spacing along the length of the member, the area of longitudinal reinforcement, the
design load and bending moments for the most critical load combination and the buckling
load (smaller buckling load from the two local directions).

If for all load combinations the required vertical reinforcement is the minimum
Note:
steel ratio (0.01), the program reports as the critical load combination the first
load combination.
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Figure 5.35 Column design results

To display shear wall design results

 Activate the command Results > Design > Walls.

 Point-and-click with the left mouse button any shear wall to display graphically and
numerically its design results.

EngSolutions RCB prints the required vertical reinforcement on the wall and on the
boundary elements, the design load and moment for the most critical load combination,
the size and spacing of the horizontal reinforcement which is always distributed in two
layers, the design shear force, the concrete shear contribution, the critical load
combination for shear, and displays the load-bending moment interaction diagram for the
required vertical reinforcement.

Note: 1. If for all load cases the required vertical reinforcement in the wall and
boundary elements is the minimum steel ratio, EngSolutions RCB reports
as the critical load combination the first load combination.
2. The ultimate load Pu and ultimate moment Mu presented in the design
results are the corresponding to the complete wall group (wall and
boundary elements), i.e. the total axial load Pu = Pb1 + Pub2 + Pw and the
total moment Mu = Mw + (Pb1 – Pb2) * L/2. The interaction diagram
displayed also corresponds to the group wall and boundary elements.
3. The load combination reported as critical for flexo-compression for the
group (wall and boundary elements) might be different from the one that
governs the design of boundary elements.
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Seismic Shear Resisted by Shear Walls

To determine the fraction of seismic shear resisted by shear walls follow the steps below:

Figure 5.36 Shear wall design results

 Activate the command Load > Load cases

 The program shows a lis of load cases. Click at load case EQUAKE X (EQX) to
select it.
 Activate the command Results > Analysis > Wall internal forces
 In the selection options group, select the Plane wall option.
 Change the current view for a plan view of floor level 3.
 Select a shear wall oriented in the direction of the selected earthquake loading. In
this case, the active load case is EQX, thus select a transversal shear wall, such as
3(C-D). The Property window shows the shear resisted by the element (V = 6.615
kip).
 Repeat the above for shear wall 5(C-D) (V= -6.618 kip)
 Select load case EQY by clicking the load case title, and repeat the steps above.

The values obtained for our example structure, following the above steps, are shown in
Table 5.1.

Since analysis results in terms of internal forces for earthquake loading are
ENVELOPES, which include accidental torsion, the summation of the maximum shears
resisted by individual walls is greater than the total applied shear (design base shear).
During the analysis, the program applied the seismic load case (for example EQX)
128

without accidental torsion and obtained internal forces for each element. Then the
program applied statically the accidental torsion in one direction (shifting the center of
mass in +Y), and in those elements where the internal force increased the value of the
internal force was updated. In those elements where torsion resulted favorable, the value
of the internal force was not updated. Next the program applied accidental torsion in the
other direction (i.e. shifting the center of mass in –Y) and followed the same procedure
described above to update internal forces in elements.

TABLE 5.1 Base shear wall resisted by shear walls.

Total base shears: Vx = 606 kip, Vy = 753 kip

Earthquake in X, EQx Earthquake in Y, EQy

Wall Shear Force Wall Shear Force
- (kip) - (kip)

D(3-3’) 90.19 3(C-D) 375.8

D(4’-5) 91.49 5(C-D) 374.0
C’(3-3’) 76.96
C’(4’-5) 78.20
C(3-3’) 86.87
C(4’-5) 88.12  750 kip

 512 kip

Despite the effect of accidental torsion, it is clear that most of the base shear is resisted
by the shear walls. This behavior is typical of frame/shear wall models in which shear
walls are assumed perfectly fixed at the base. The above is the most common support
hypothesis (and it is the one implied on most building codes). If the structure had been
modeled as supported on footings on elastic foundations, the distribution of the base
shear would have been different. In fact, a very small wall rotation (wall rocking) is
usually enough to release the walls and make the frames increase their share of the
seismic load.

Design Check for Dual System

In the earthquake loading definition, the structural system was considered to be a dual
system and appropriate values of the Response modification coefficient and Deflection
amplification factor were used. Accordingly, shear walls and moment resisting frames
were designed to resist earthquake loading lateral forces in proportion to their rigidities
considering interaction between shear walls and frames on all levels. Now to comply with
the requirements for dual systems, the capability of the frames to resist 25% of the
prescribed seismic forces must be verified, and if necessary, their design must be
adjusted to guaranty this requirement.

Such verification can be accomplished easily as follows:

 Save the current model.

 129

 Activate the Wall edition command in the Elements toolbar.

 Change the current view for a 3D view with all elements visible.
 In the selection options group, in the Edit walls window, click the mini-button All walls
to select all shear walls in the model.
 In the Property window change the structural system for all walls to Gravity only.
 Click the Assign button to apply the new property.
 Save the model with a different name using the command File > Save As.

With the above steps, shear walls are no longer part of the seismic force resisting
system.

 Activate the command LoadComb > Individual load cases.

The program creates a set of load combinations corresponding to individual load cases.
Starting from those combinations, edit the load coefficients, creating load combinations
that include 0.25 EQ, consistent with the design code. If necessary, add new load
combinations. For instance, for ACI-318-05 the load combinations are the ones shown in
Figure 5.39.

Figure 5.39 Design load combinations for checking frames in dual systems

 Run the analysis.

 Design columns and walls.
130

esigning beams and columns for the above (0.25EQ) load combinations, results in
minimum steel ratios for practically all elements, proving that without any additional
reinforcement, frames are capable of resisting 25% of the prescribed seismic forces. In
the case that for any element the required steel ratio at any section was larger than that
determined from the original interactive wall-frame design, a manual record should be
made so that final specified reinforcement is not smaller than that computed in this
design check.

Cost of the Structure

The cost of structural elements —beams, columns and shear walls— can be estimated
from the estimate of building materials made by the program as follows.

Let:

Cc = Cost of 1 yd3 of concrete + cost of labor and formwork for its placement.
For instance: US$ 140.00 (4000 psi) + US$ 120.00 = US$ 260.00

Cs = Cost of 1Lb of steel reinforcement. For instance US$ 0.50 (60,000 psi)

The cost of beams can be estimated as follows:

Cbeams = 1.1 Vc Cc + 1.05 Wstirrups Cs + 1.2 Wlongitudinal Cs

The equation above includes the following factors: a 1.1 factor for volume of concrete Vc,
to account for losses (10%); a 1.05 factor for weight of stirrups Westribos to account for
losses (5%); and a 1.2 factor for longitudinal reinforcement Wlongitudinal to account for
hooks and splices (15%) and losses (5%). EngSolutions RCB includes the weight of
hooks in Wstirrups.

The cost of columns can be estimated as follows:

Ccolumns = 1.1 Vc Cc + 1.05 Wstirrups Cs + 1.1 Wlongitudinal Cs

The equation above includes the following factors: a 1.1 factor for volume of concrete Vc,
to account for losses (10%); a 1.05 factor for weight of stirrups Wstirrups, to account for
losses (5%); and a 1.1 factor for weight of longitudinal reinforcement Wlongitudinal, to
account for losses (5%), hooks and splices (5%). EngSolutions RCB includes the
weight of hooks and cross-ties in Wstirrups.
 131

The cost of shear walls can be estimated as:

Cwalls = 1.1 Vc Cc + 1.1 (Wvertical + Whorizontal) Cs

A factor equal to 1.1 for volume of concrete is included to account for loses and a 1.1
factor for weight of reinforcement to account for splices, hooks and losses.

The cost of structural elements per ff2 of construction is computed as follows:

C = (Cvigas + Ccolumnas + Cmuros) / Aconstruccion

TABLE 5.2. Estimate of building materials obtained with EngSolutions RCB

Concrete Volume Weight Longitudinal Weight Transversal

(Yd3) Reinforcement (Lb) Reinforcement (Lb)
Vigas 553 51086 32108
Columnas 150 23438 26660
Muros 625 21035 19882

Using the above equations and unit costs: Cc = US $260 / yd3, Cs = US$ 0.50 / Lb;
construction area Aconstrution = 51000 ft2, and the amounts of concrete and steel
reinforcement computed by the program, the cost of the structure (beams + columns +
walls):

C = US$ 9.35 /ft2

Modifying the Model

In EngSolutions RCB, the engineer can make changes at any time on the structure,
such as change element properties, add or remove elements (beams, columns,
diagonals, walls, floors), change the coordinates of column axes, change story heights,
change loading, etc. The user can also see the influence of each change that he makes,
on the analysis and design, with just a few clicks of the mouse. Furthermore, the user
can get a good idea of the cost implications of each change, based on the estimate of
building materials performed by the program. The engineer may run multiple instances of
the program simultaneously to compare alternative solutions. All this flexibility is what
makes EngSolutions RCB so attractive to many engineers around the world.
132

Chapter 6

Reference

Earthquake Records
In the time history analysis, EngSolutions RCB can read earthquake records in different
formats. The program includes an extensive library of earthquake records. The engineer
may add new earthquake to the library in several formats. The first step for adding new
records is to edit the text file EQLIst.txt, which is a listing of all the earthquake records,
adding the information for the new record. This file is located in folder EQUAKES.
Second, a copy of the files containing the actual records is placed in this folder.

The data to be added to the EQList.txt text file include: name and date of the earthquake,
station identification, Magnitude, epicentral distance, soil type, orientation for each of the
three components of ground motion (major horizontal, minor horizontal, vertical), peak
ground accelerations for each component and file name. This data can be obtained from
the heading of each file. The fields for each of the above data in file EQList.txt, is easily
deduced, based on the data already included in the file. The records can be inserted in
any location or can be added to the end of the list.

The formats accepted buy the program are the following:

1. California Institute of Technology, Caltech

Caltech records, such as those included in the SMARTS library, are constant interval
records. Each file includes a 25-line text heading, followed by 100 integer data and 100
decimal data, containing general record information. After the above data, the file
contains acceleration data, in integer format, in mm/sec2 units. In this format, an
independent file for each component is required. File extensions for Caltech format is
 133

*.CT1, *.CT2 and *.CT3 for horizontal component with major acceleration, horizontal
component with minor acceleration and vertical component respectively.

2. California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program, CSMIP

CSMI earthquake records, such as those in the COSMOS library, have a similar structure
as those of Caltech, except there is an additional line separating the heading from the
acceleration data and that acceleration data is in decimal format, in cm/seg2 units. In this
format, an independent file for each component is required. File extensions for CSMIP
format is *.CM1, *.CM2 and *.CM3 for horizontal component with major acceleration,
horizontal component with minor acceleration and vertical component respectively.

3. Ingeominas – Colombia
Ingeominas Earthquake records are constant interval records and include a 12- line
heading followed by acceleration data in decimal format, in cm/seg2 units. File extensions
for Ingeominas is *.AC1, *.AC2 and *.AC3 for horizontal component with major
acceleration, horizontal component with minor acceleration and vertical component
respectively.

4. Mexican Strong Motion Database (BMDSF)

Records from the Mexican Strong Motion Database are constant interval records and
include after the heading acceleration data for the three components. Any record from
the database BMDSF Vol 2 Mexican Society for Earthquake Engineering can be added
following the procedure below:
(a) Using BMDSF Vol 2, search and select the desired records.
(b) Change the file extension of the generated files to *.MEX
(c) Copy the files to Folder EQUAKES as indicated above
(d) Since BMDSF records include data for the tree components on the same file, when
editing file EQList.txt, the file name should be repeated three times.
In the EngSolutions RCB library the following records from the Michoacan Earthquake of
September 19,85, hace already been added (1) Ciudad Universitaria, Mesa Vibratoria,
(2) Central Abastos, (3) SCT B-1 Office. Using the above records as a guide, it the
engineer may add easily other records from BMDSF.

5. Normalized Format

The normalized format is a simple format that only includes acceleration data. The
structure of the file is as follows. A one-line heading identifying the record. A second line
with the following data: Peak acceleration as a fraction of gravity, time step and
earthquake duration. This line is followed by acceleration data (as a fraction of gravity).
Each line may include up to 5 acceleration data in decimal format. In this format, a
separate file is required for each component. File extensions for normalized format is
*.NR1, *.NR2 and *.NR3 for horizontal component with major acceleration, horizontal
component with minor acceleration and vertical component respectively.

Differences in Use with RCBE

EngSolutions RCB includes numerous features and commands not available in RCBE,
its predecessor program. Still, EngSolutions RCB is much easier to use. Users of RCBE
can start using EngSolutions RCB without much additional training as the interface of
both software packages are similar.

The main difference in use between the two programs, is in the edition of elements.
While in RCBE different procedures are used to assign properties to members, walls,
supports, frames, etc., EngSolutions RCB is more consistent and uses the same
134

procedures for all types of objects that define the building model (columns, walls, slabs,
braces, nodes, frames, floors, etc). Additionally, whereas in RCBE there are different
commands for properties (such as View properties, Assign properties, Erase properties,
etc) and commands to add and remove elements, in EngSolutions RCB all these editing
operations are performed within the same command.

The procedures for editing elements are described in detail in the Help utility. It is
strongly recommended that before using EngSolutions RCB, both new users and RCBE
users become familiar with these procedures. As a minimum, it is recommended to
review the section on edition of properties of any type of elements for instance
columnsas once this section is understood, given the consistency of EngSolutions
RCB, the user may easily infer the procedures for other types of objects. It is therefore
recommended to activate the Help command, select the topic The Structure, then
Edition, and then click the Columns icon

RCBE V5.2 Structures

To open structures created with RCBE:

 Run RCBE and open the structure.

 Exit RCBE creating a re-start file of the structure
 Run EngSolutions RCB. In the first window that pops up there is a list of previously
saved structures, and the re-start file of the RCBE structure
(C:\RCBE\WORK\RCBUILD.E). To activate this list, select the option Open Existing
Structure and in the list select the file corresponding to the RCBE file.
 If for some reason the re-start file of the RCBE structure is not shown in the list, use
the Open command in the File menu of EngSolutions RCB. In the Open file window,
change the default file type to (*.e). Then locate the RCBUILD.E file in the working
folder of RCBE (C:\RCBE\WORK) and open it.
Structures processed with RCBE must be re-analyzed and designed with
EngSolutions RCB as the RCBE results are not compatible with EngSolutions RCB.

Rotating the Structure

In EngSolutions RCB, 3D can be viewed from any angle in a tridimensional space.
The rotation window includes three mouse-selectable points, shown in Figure 6.6,
that allow to rotate the structure, modifying the location of the view point or viewing-
eye. The location of the view point with respect to the center of the structure can
be defined in polar coordinates by two angles and a relative distance. The angles
are a horizontal angle in the X-Y plane, and a vertical angle defining the inclination,
with the horizontal, of the viewing vector.

 The red point represents the view point and enables to get closer or farther from
the structure.
 The yellow point enables to change the inclination or vertical angle with the
horizontal.
 The gray point enables to change the horizontal angle around the vertical axis.
 135

Figure 6.1 Elements in rotation window

To rotate the building structure

 Point-and-click at the point whose action is going to be activated, using the left
mouse button.
The point, viewing vector and its projection on a horizontal plane, are highlighted
in red.
 Move the mouse to drag the selected point in the direction desired.
If the red point is activated, move the mouse along the viewing vector to increase
or decrease the relative distance between the view point and the center of the
structure.
If the yellow point is activated, move the mouse vertically, up or down, to change
the selected inclination of the viewing vector.
If the gray button is activated, move the mouse in a circular pattern to change the
horizontal angle.
 Click again the mouse button to complete the rotation operation.
136

Wall Element Output

General

This section describes the types of analysis output for wall elements and the sign
conventions used to report output in EngSolutions RCB. The output is referred to the local
element coordinate system. Graphical output is reported as wall stresses, stress resultants,
and total wall internal forces.

Local Coordinate System

The output stresses, stress resultants and total internal forces of wall elements (as well as
stiffness matrix and load vectors) are all referred to an orthogonal local coordinate system.
This local coordinate system is determined by the four nodes i, j, k, l, that define the
element, as shown in Figure 1. The local axis 1 goes from node i to node j. The local axis 2
goes from node i to node l. The local axis 3 is defined by the cross product of local axes 1
and 2. The above definition applies to the particular case of rectangular wall elements.

Figure 1. Local coordinate system

For a general non-rectangular wall element, the local axes are defined similarly as follows.
The local axis 1 goes from node i to node j. The local axis 3 is formed as the cross product
between the local 1-axis already defined and a vector that goes from node i to node k. The
local axis 2 is defined by the cross product of axis 3 by axis 1.
EngSolutions RCB requires that the four nodes i, j, k , l defining any wall element be co-
planar.

Faces of Wall Element

The six faces of a wall element are defined as the positive 1 face, negative 1 face, positive 2
face, negative 2 face, positive 3 face and negative 3 face, as shown in Figure 2. The positive
1 face of the element is the face that is perpendicular to the 1-axis of the element and whose
outward normal (pointing away from the element) is in the positive 1- axis direction. The
negative 1 face of the element is the face that is perpendicular to the 1-axis of the element
and whose outward normal (pointing away from the element) is in the negative 1-axis
direction. The other faces have similar definitions.
 137

Figure 2. Wall faces

Wall Stresses

The basic wall element stresses are identified as normal stresses S11 and S22, shear stress
S12, and transverse shear stresses S13 and S23. One might expect that there would also be a
S21, but it is always equal to S12, so it is not actually necessary to report S21. Sij stresses
(where i can be equal to 1 or 2 and j can be equal to 1, 2, 3) are stresses that occur on face i
of an element in direction j. Direction j refers to the local axis direction of the wall element.
Thus, normal S11 stresses occur on face 1 of the element (perpendicular to the local 1 axis)
and are acting in the direction parallel to the local 1 axis (that is, the stresses act normal to
face 1). As another example, shear stresses S12 occur on face 1 of the element
(perpendicular to the local 1 axis) and are acting in the direction parallel to the local 2-axis.

Figure 3. Wall stresses on a point in a wall element

The sign convention used for stresses in EngSolutions RCB is shown in Figure 3. Positive
stresses Sij are those that acting on the positive face i are directed in the negative direction
of axis j. Thus, compressive normal stresses are positive and tensile normal stresses are
negative.

EngSolutions RCB includes different commands to graphically display contours of stresses

on walls. The command Result:Wall stresses Mid-plane stresses show contours of
stresses on the mid-surface of each wall. The command Result:Wall stressesFront face
stresses show contours of stresses on the positive 3 face of each wall, and the command
Result:Wall stressesBack face stresses show contours of stresses on the negative 3
face of each wall. When any of these commands is activated, the program by default shows
contours of vertical stresses (S22). However, the command includes a list of options to
display all types of stresses (S11, S22, S12, S13, S23). If a wall element is selected when any
of these commands is active, the program displays the local coordinates of the element and
the values of stresses at the four nodes of the selected element.
138

Stress Resultants

In theory of plates stresses are not used as unit of force because stresses vary through the
thickness of the plate. Instead, it is preferred to employ a quantity that integrates the effect of
the variation through the thickness. Such quantities are known as stress resultants and are
defined for the mid-surface of the elements. Stress resultants, like stresses, act throughout
the element. They are present on any point on the mid-surface of the element and are
reported as forces and moments per unit of in-plane length.

The stress resultants are defined as follows. In the equations below, t is the thickness of the
element and x3 is the thickness coordinate measured from the mid-surface of the element.

t
2
F11 =  t
S11 dx3  In-plane force in direction 1

2
t
2
F22 =  t
S22 dx3  In-plane force in direction 2

2
t
2
F12 =  t
S12 dx3  In-plane shear force

2
t
2
M11 =  t
S11 x3 dx3  Out-of-plane bending moment in 1 (about axis 2)

2
t
2
M22 =  t
S22 x3 dx3  Out-of-plane bending moment in 2 (about axis 1)

2

t
2
M12 =  t
S12 x3 dx3  Out-of-plane twisting moment

2
t
2
V13 = t
S13 dx3  Transverse shear force en 1

2
t
2
V23 = t
S23 dx3  Transverse shear force en 2

2
 139

Figure 4. Positive directions for stress resultants. (a) Internal distributed forces: F11, F22, F12,
V23, V23. (b) Internal distributed moments M11, M22 and M12.

The command Result:Wall stresses Stress Resultants shows contours of stresses

resultants on the mid-surface of each wall. When the command is activated, the program by
default shows contours of vertical internal force (F22). However, the command includes a list
of options to display all types of stress resultants (F11, F22, F12, M11, M22, M12, V13, V23). If a
wall element is selected when the command is active, the program displays the local
coordinates of the element and the values of stress resultants at the four nodes of the
selected element.

Total Internal Forces

EngSolutions RCB outputs for each wall segment the resultant internal forces at the
top and bottom ends of the element, as would be reported for an equivalent column. These
total internal forces are referred to the centroidal axis of the segment and include in-plane
axial force P, in-plane Moment M, in-plane shear force V, out-of-plane shear Vo, out-of-plane
moment Mo, and out-of-plane torque To.
140

Figure 5. Positive directions for total internal forces. (a) In-plane internal forces, P, V, M. (b)
Out-of-plane internal forces Vo, Mo, To.

When the command Result:Wall Internal Forces is activated, the default command option
is in-plane end force and the default selection option is single segment. If a wall segment is
selected, the program shows the resultant in-plane forces P, M, V at the top and at the
bottom of the wall segment. If the selection option is changed to Plane Wall, the program
outputs the values for the whole plane wall rather than the individual wall segment selected.
These are the values reported in the Print command and are also the values used for
designing shear walls.

LOAD SCALE

EngSolutions RCB provides independent graphic load scales for each and all load types:
concentrated load, distributed load, surface load, concentrated moment, and distributed
moment. Any of these graphics scales may be changed by the user at any time.

To change graphic load scales:

 Click at the Load Scale command in the Load menu. The Load Scales
window is displayed.

 Click and/or hold down the left mouse button at the upward or downward arrow at the
load scale of interest to increase or decrease the graphic load scale, respectively. The
graphic load scale can be also changed by clicking at its numerical value and pressing
ENTER after the new entry.

Since the numerical value in each load scale box is graphically represented by the
unaltered load displayed above respectively the numerical values decrease as the
graphic load scale increases, and vice-versa.

 Click at the OK button to accept the graphic scales changes made if any.

To avoid any graphic scale changes made and/or exit the Load Scale command click at
the Cancel button.
 141

Estimate of Building Materials

Beam elements
When beam elements are designed, the program reports, at the end of the design
process, the required amount of materials, including volume of concrete, weight of
flexural reinforcement and weight of stirrups.

The computation of volume of concrete is based on the dimensions of the cross section
of the elements and their total length (node-to-node). Thus, there is a small error in the
computation, as the volume of the nodes (intersections between longitudinal and
transverse beams) is counted twice. The computed weight of stirrups is based on actual
bars and includes the weight of hooks. The computed weight of flexural steel is on the
other hand theoretical, as it is based on the values of steel ratio computed at eleven
design sections. The actual weight of flexural reinforcement is larger because of splices,
hooks and the conversion to actual bar sizes.

Users of EngSolutions RCB can find a ‘personal corrective factor’ on the first few
projects in which the program is used, by comparing the actual weight of flexural
reinforcement and the theoretical values. This factor can be used in future projects to
make quick approximate estimates of materials.

Column elements
When column elements are designed, the program reports at the end of the design
process, the required amount of materials, including volume of concrete, weight of
longitudinal reinforcement and weight of ties and crossties.

The computation of volume of concrete is based on the dimensions of the cross section
of the columns and their clear length. The computed weight of ties is based on actual
bars and includes any cross ties required as well as the weight of hooks. The computed
weight of longitudinal steel is theoretical, as it is based on the required steel ratio rather
than on actual bars.

Wall elements
When wall elements are designed, at the end of the design process, the program reports
the required amount of materials, including volume of concrete, weight of longitudinal
reinforcement and weight of horizontal reinforcement.

The computation of volume of concrete is based on the thickness of the walls, and the
dimensions of the panel, as well as the size of any boundary element. The computed
weight of horizontal reinforcement is based on actual bars but does not include the
weight of hooks. The computed weight of vertical reinforcement is based on the required
steel ratio rather than on actual bars.

It is noticed that in walls with boundary elements the amount of materials is

overestimated. However, the user can make the necessary adjustments manually. If the
user generates boundary elements as columns, they are included in the estimate of
materials for columns. In the design of walls these boundary elements are included
again in the estimate of materials. In fact, some of these elements may be include twice.
For example, in cases of C-shaped core elevator walls, the corner boundary elements
are included twice in the estimate of materials. First, in the design of the ‘web’ wall
segment, and second, in the design of the ‘flange’ wall segment. Therefore, the volume
of concrete of these boundary elements might be included three times. The actual steel
reinforcement that needs to be placed in these boundary elements is the largest of the
three computed values (as a column, as a boundary element of the ‘web’ wall segment
and as boundary element of the ‘flange’ wall segment).
142

References

1. American Concrete Institute, Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete

ACI 318-89, Detroit, Michigan, 1989, 1995, 1999, 2002, 2005.
2. American Society of Civil Engineers, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures, ASCE 7-88, ASCE 7-93, ASCE 7-95, ASCE 7-98, ASCE 7-05, New York,
1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2005.
3. Aminpour M., NASA Contractor Report 4282, Direct Formulation of a 4-Node Hybrid
Shell Element With Rotational Degrees of Freedom, 1990.
4. Applied Technology Council, Guidelines for Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings ATC-
33.03, Redwood City, CA, 1995.
5. Barbosa, R., Structural Analysis of Construction and Alteration of Concrete Buildings,
IX Structural Engineering Congress, Mexican Society of Structural Engineers, A.C.,
Zacatecas, Mexico, 1994.
6. Barbosa, R., Structural Program RCBE For Analysis and Seismic Design of
Buildings, IX Latin-American Earthquake Engineering Conference, Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic, 1996.
7. Colombian Earthquake Resistant Building Code, Bogota, Colombia, 1984.
8. Federal Power Commission, Civil Design Handbook – Seismic Design, Mexico D.F.,
Mexico, 1993.
9. Department of Standards, Codes and Systems, Secretary of Public Construction and
Communications, Tentative Provisions for Wind Analysis of Structures, Dominican
Republic, 1979.
10. Department of Standards, Codes and Systems, Secretary of Public Construction and
Communications, Tentative Provisions for Seismic Analysis of Structures, Dominican
Republic, 1979.
 143

11. Golub, H. And C. Van Loan, Matrix Computations, The Johns Hopkins University
Press, Baltimore, Maryland, 1985.
12. Gowens, A.J. Biaxial Bending Simplified, Reinforced Concrete Columns, ACI
Publication SP-50, American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Michigan, 1975.
13. International Code Council, International Building Code, 2000, 2003, 2006
14. International Conference of Building Officials, Uniform Building Code, Whittier,
California, 1994, 1997.
15. National Standards Institute, Official Chilean Norm 433.Of93 Seismic Design of
Buildings, Chile 1993.
16. Ministry of Housing and Construction, Technical Norm E030 Earthquake Resistant
Design, Lima, Peru, 2003.
17. Ecuadorian Normalization Institute, Ecuadorian Construction Code – Earthquake
Hazard and Minimum Requirements for Earthquake Resistant Design, Ecuador,
2001.
18. Naeim, F., The Seismic Design Handbook, 2nd Edition, Kluwer Academic Publishers,
New York, 2001.

19.NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings,

FEMA, Washington, DC, 1995, 1997, 2003.

20.Colombian Norms for Earthquake Resistant Design, NSR-98, AIS, Bogotá,

Colombia, 1998.
21. Federal District Construction Code, Mexico D.F., Mexico, 1987, 1993, 2004.
22. Structural Design Requirements – Republic of Panama, Panama 2005.
23.SEAOC Blue Book, Recommended Lateral Force Requirements and Commentary,
Structural Engineers Association of California, 1999.
24. Underwood R., “An Iterative Block Lanczos Method for the Solution of Large Sparse
Symmetric Eigenproblems,” Report STAN-CS-75-496, Department of Computer
Science, Stanford University, Stanfort, California, 1975.
144

Appendix A

EngSolutions RCB Applications

This section includes selected models from projects in different countries that have been
analyzed and designed with the structural software EngSolutions RCB.
 1

Ocean Park Towers 1 and 2, Punta Pacifica, Panama, Rep. of Panama – Structural Engineer G.S.
Group, Panama, Gonzalo Sosa N. – RC shear walls – postensioned slabs
2

Sky-Loft Tower, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Structural Engineer Jorge Robert & Associates, Puerto Rico
Special RC shear walls and Special RC MRF
 3

Puentemadero Tower, Medellín, Colombia – Structural Engineer PSI, S.A., Colombia

Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
4

City Santafe Tower 1, Mexico – Structural Engineer PESA, S.A., Mexico

Special RC shear walls and RC MRF
 5

Puentepiedra Tower, Medellín, Colombia – Structural Engineer, PSI, S.A., Colombia

Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
6

Victoria Tower, Obarrio, Panama, Rep. of Panama – Structural Engineer Alan Pinzon, Panama
RC shear walls – postensioned slabs
 7

Courtyard View Building, Punta Pacifica, Panama, Rep. de Panama – Structural Engineer, MAVEANG,
S.A., Panama, Ernesto Ng
8

Kings Landing Parking, San Luis, Missouri – Structural Engineer The Consulting Engineers Group, San
Antonio, Texas - Precast concrete building
 9

Mercy Hospital Parking Garage – Structural Engineer The Consulting Engineers Group, San Antonio,
Texas - Precast concrete building
10

Metropolitan at MidTown Parking, Charlotte, North Carolina – Structural Engineer Carl Walker, Tampa,
Florida - Precast concrete building
 11

Vitri Tower, Panama, Rep. of Panama – Structural Engineer, Axel Chang, Ph.D., Estructuras Nacionales,
S.A., Panama - RC shear walls – postensioned slabs
12

Saint Moritz – Tower 2, Medellin, Colombia – Structural Engineer Carlos Blodek, C.E.B. S.A., Colombia
Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
 13

Montevechio Building, Cali, Colombia – Structural Engineer Solarte & Cia., Ltda., Colombia
Special RC shear walls and Special RC MRF
14

Bella Vista Park, Panama, Rep. of Panama – Structural Engineer, Axel Chang, Ph.D., Estructuras Nacionales,
S.A., Panama - RC shear walls – postensioned slabs
 15

Sabaneta Tower (Hotel), Sabaneta, Ant., Colombia – Structural Engineer Cesar Espinal Consultoria Estructural,
Colombia - Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
16
 17

Fenicia Tower, Cali, Colombia – Structural Engineer Solarte & Cia. S.A., Colombia
Special RC shear walls and Special RC MRF

San Marino Tower, Panama, Rep. of Panama – Structural Engineer Alan Pinzón, Panama
18

RC shear walls – postensioned slabs

Reforma & Constituyentes Tower (RJ32), México, DF - Structural Engineer DYS S.C. and Postensa
S.A. de C.V., México - Hybrid RC/ SS structure
 19

Bahia Obarrio Building, Panama City, Rep. of Panama – Structural Engineer Alan Pinzon
20

RC shear walls – postensioned slabs

 21

Bosques del Oeste Building, Cali, Colombia – Structural Engineer Solarte & Cia, S.A., Colombia
Special RC shear walls
22

North Point Building – Tower 2, Bogota, Colombia – Structural Engineer England & Duran Ltda,
Colombia - Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
 23

Marquis Building, Cartagena, Colombia – Structural Engineer England & Duran Ltda, Colombia
Intermediate RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
24

Cristimar Building, Rodadero, Santa Marta, Colombia – Structural Engineer Manuel Alarcon-Badillo
Ordinary RC shear walls and RC MRF
 25

Bridge Boca del Rio, Mexico – Structural Engineer, Hector Margain & Assoc., Mexico
26

Montecanelo Tower 1, Medellín, Colombia – Structural Engineer Carlos Blodek, C.E.B. S.A., Colombia
Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
 27

Mirador de Avalon Building, Cali, Colombia – Structural Engineer Solarte & Cia S.A., Colombia
Special RC shear walls
28

Colibri Tower, Sabaneta, Ant., Colombia – Structural Engineer Cesar Espinal Consultoria Estructural,
Colombia - Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
 29

Portovita Condominium, Panama, Rep. of Panama – Structural Engineer Fernando Romero & Assoc.,
Panama - RC shear walls – postensioned slabs
30

Faro Sabaneta, Sabaneta, Ant., Colombia – Structural Engineer Cesar Espinal Consultoria Estructural,
Colombia - Special RC shear walls
 31

Arena Building, Guayaquil, Ecuador – Structural Engineer Solarte & Cia. S.A., Colombia
Special RC shear walls
32

Picasso Tower, México, D.F. – Structural Engineer Postensa, S.A. de C.V., México
Special RC shear walls, RC MRF, postensioned two-way joist slabs
 33

Tijuana Nueva Tower, Mexico – Structural Engineer Hector Margain & Assoc., Mexico
Special RC shear walls and RC MRF
34

Santa Maria Tower 3, Medellin, Colombia - Structural Engineer Carlos Blodek, C.E.B. S.A., Colombia
Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
 35

Vela Tower 10, Mexico – Structural Engineer Hector Margain & Assoc., México
RC MRF
36

San Nicolas Towers (3 Twers), Bogotá, Colombia – Structural Engineer Santana Estupiñan, Ltda.,
Colombia - Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
 37

Proyecto Lomas, México, D.F., Postensa S.A. de C.V., México

Special RC shear walls, RC MRF, postensioned two-way joist slabs
38

Turpial Tower and Sinsonte Tower, Sabaneta, Ant., Colombia - Structural Engineer StructuraCesar
Espinal Consultoria Estructural, Colombia - Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
 39

El Faro del Saber, Cayey, Puerto Rico – Structural Engineer Armando Muns, P.E., Puerto Rico
Special RC shear walls and Special RC MRF
40

Rhin 45 Building, México, DF – Structural Engineer Postensa S.A. de C.V. México

 41

RC MRF, postensioned two-way joist slabs

Tesa Tower, Bogota, Colombia – Structural Engineer England & Duran Ltda, Colombia
42

Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF

Balcones de Patio Bonito, Medellitn, Colombia – Structural Engineer Mario Leon Jaramillo, Colombia
Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
 43

Porttower, Cancun, Mexico – Structural Engineer Ingeniería Estructural Burela & Ortiz S.A. de C.V.
And Postensa S.A. de C.V. - Special RC shear walls, RC MRF, postensioned two-way joist slabs
44

Gaudi Building, Medellín, Colombia – Structural Engineer Mario León Jaramillo, Colombia
Intermediate RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
 45

Segovia Plaza Building, Bogota, Colombia – Structural Engineer Guillermo Alonzo Villate & Cia. Ltda
Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
46

Galilea Tower, Medellin, Colombia – Structural Engineer JAR Ingenieria Diseño Estructural
Intermediate RC MRF (7 cross shaped columns - spans 16m x 10 m)
 47

Cabo San Lucas, Medellin – Structural Engineer JAR Ingenieria Diseño Estructural
Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
48

El Rosario Clinic, Medellin, Colombia – Structural Engineer Mario Leon Jaramillo, Colombia
Intermediate RC MRF
 49

Premium Plaza Shoping Center, Medellin – Structural Engineer Mario Leon Jaramillo, Colombia
Intermediate RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
50

Immigration Station Acayucan, Veracruz – Structural Engineer Burela & Ortíz S.A. de C.V., México
 51

Textiles KN, Puebla, Mexico – Structural Engineer Burela & Ortíz S.A. de C.V.
52

Arboleda Country 1 and 2, Bogota, Colombia – Structural Engineer Santana Estupiñan, Ltda, Colombia
Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
 53

Chico Virrey Building, Bogota, Colombia – Structural Engineer Santana Estupiñan, Ltda, Colombia
Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
54

Portal del Prado Shopping Center, Barranquilla, Colombia – Structural Engineer Puccini Theran, Ltda,
Colombia - Intermediate RC MRF
 55

Bosque Cordoba Building, Bogota, Colombia – Structural Engineer Guillermo Gamboa

Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
56

Main Library, University CES, Medellin, Colombia – Structural Engineer Mario Leon Jaramillo,
Colombia - Intermediate RC MRF
 57

Sotara Building, Cali, Colombia – Structural Engineer Solarte & Cia. S.A., Colombia
Special RC shear walls and and special steel braces
58

Sport Center Aguila Brewing Co., Barranquilla, Colombia – Structural Engineer Manuel Alarcon-Badillo
 59

Auditariom, El Tintal High School, Bogotá, Colombia – Structural Engineer Guillermo Alonzo Villate &
Cia. Ltda. Special RC shear walls and Intermediate RC MRF
60

Sabina Park Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica - Stewart Engineering, North Carolina

 61

Suba Arena, Bogota – Structural Engineer England & Duran, Ltda, Colombia
62

Lafrancol (French-Colombian Phramaceutical Laboratory) Building B, Cali, Colombia – Structural

Engineer Posso Asociados Ltda, Colombia - Special RC MRF
 63

Bosques de Quitumbe, Quito, Ecuador – Structural Engineer Solarte & Cia. S.A., Colombia
Special RC shear walls
64

Guayanita Building, Caracas, Venezuela – Structural Engineer Solarte & Cia. S.A., Colombia
Special RC shear walls
 65

Orthodox Chapel, Bosque Real, Huixquilucan, Mexico – Structural Engineer Burela & Ortíz S.A. de
C.V.
Special moment-resisting-steel-frame system