PT Flat Plate Tutorial: EC2 / TR43

48
This chapter describes the steps for modeling a post-tensioned two-way flat plate with uniform loads.
The objective of this tutorial is to build on the skills learned in the Chapter 41 RC tutorial and introduce new
steps, such as using a CAD drawing and post-tensioning.
Some tools and methods described in the RC tutorial are not used here. As such, it is highly recommended that
you first do the RC tutorial.
This is not a particularly “aggressive” design. After you have completed the tutorial, you may wish to make the
slab thinner to investigate the ramifications.
You could also use this as a reinforced concrete tutorial by making a few adjustments (for example, a thicker
slab).

48.1
RAM Concept’s EC2 implementation considers the base EC2 code, the UK National Annex and the second edition
of the Concrete Society’s Technical Report 43 for post-tensioned slab design.
For information on creating a new file, see Creating and opening files (on page 51).

48.2 Import the CAD drawing

The CAD file you import is located in your RAM Concept program directory.
Import the CAD file

1. Choose File > Import Drawing.

2. Select the CAD drawing file flat_plate_metric.dwg.
The File Units dialog box appears.
3. Select Millimeters (the units used in the CAD file) and click OK.

48.3 Define the structure

To use the CAD file you need to make it visible on the Mesh Input layer.

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48.3.1 Show the drawing on the mesh input layer

1. Choose Layers > Mesh Input > Standard Plan.
2.
Choose View > Visible Objects ( ).

Note: You can also right click to see a popup menu that includes the Visible Objects command.
3. Click the Drawing Import tab.
4. Click Show All, and then click OK.

48.3.2 Draw the slab area

1. Turn on Snap to Intersection ( ) and Snap to Point ( ).
2.
Double click the Slab Area tool ( ) to edit the default properties.
3. In the Default Slab Area Properties dialog box:
a. Choose a Concrete Strength of C32/40.
b. Set Thickness to 250 mm.
c. Leave Surface Elevation as 0 and Priority as 1.
d. Click OK.
4.
With the Slab Area tool ( ) selected, define the 10 vertices of the slab outline by snapping to the imported
drawing’s slab corners.
There are two vertices near each other near B-5 at 26.05, 8.2 m and 26.05, 8.8 m. Cursor plan coordinates
display next to the command prompt.
5. Complete the polygon by clicking at your starting point (or type “c” in the command line and press
<Return>).

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Figure 350: The slab outline on the Mesh Input: Standard Plan.

48.3.3 Draw the balcony slab area

1.
Double click the Slab Area tool ( ) to edit the default properties.
2. In the Default Slab Area Properties dialog box:

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a. Change Thickness to 200 mm.

b. Change Surface Elevation to -50 mm.
c. Change the Priority to 2, and click OK.
3.
With the Slab Area tool ( ) selected, define the six vertices of the balcony outline by clicking at each vertex,
and then click at your starting point (or type “c” in the command line and press <Return>).

Figure 351: The balcony slab on the Mesh Input: Standard Plan.

48.3.4 Draw the drop caps

1.
Double click the Slab Area tool ( ) to edit the default properties.
2. In the Default Slab Area Properties dialog box:
a. Change Thickness to 500 mm.
b. Change Surface Elevation to 0, and leave the Priority as 2.
c. Click OK.
3.
With the Slab Area tool ( ) selected, define the four drop caps with four or five vertices as appropriate.
4. Go to “ Draw the opening: ”, or try the next method
5.
With the Selection tool ( ), select (by double-clicking) and delete the drop cap at B-2.

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6. Click Redraw ( ).
Some tool button icons have a small triangle in the lower right corner ( ). This indicates that there are other
similar tools available for this button.
7.
Place the mouse over the Slab Area tool ( ) and press down on the left mouse button for one second.
A pop-up menu appears.
8. Select the Drop Cap tool from the menu.
The selected tool becomes current for that button.
9. Click at the column at B-2.
A Drop Cap Tool dialog box appears.
10. Enter an angle of zero degrees.
11. Enter a side dimension of 1.2 m and click OK.

48.3.5 Draw the opening

1.
Select the Slab Opening tool ( ).
2. Define the four corners of the opening by clicking at each location, and then click at your starting point.

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Figure 352: The opening on the Mesh Input: Standard Plan.

48.3.6 Hatch the slab areas

1.
Choose View > Visible Objects ( ).
The Visible Objects dialog box will appear.
2. Check “Hatching” under “Slab Areas”.
3. Check “Hatching” under “Slab Openings”, and click OK.

Note: You can also right click to see a popup menu that includes the Visible Objects command.

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48.3.7 Define the column locations and properties

1.
Double click on the Column tool ( ).
2. In the Default Column Properties dialog box:
a. Choose a Concrete Strength of C32/40.
b. Set Width to 600 mm.
c. Set Depth/Diameter to 600 mm.
3. Click OK.
4. Click at the center of all 13 column locations shown on the imported drawing.

48.3.8 Define the wall location and properties

1. Turn on Snap Orthogonal ( ).
2.
Double click on the Wall tool ( ).
3. In the Default Wall Properties dialog box:
a. Choose a Concrete Strength of C20/25.
4. Click OK.
5. Define the wall by clicking at the start and end points, on the centerline.
a. Place the cursor near 8.825, 26.3 m and it will snap to where the center of the wall intersects the edge of
the slab, and click.
b. Place the cursor at the center of the column at C-2 (it will snap orthogonally) and click.
You have now defined the structure but the element mesh does not yet exist.
6. Go to “ Generate the mesh: ”, or try the next method.
7. The wall should be highlighted as it is the current selection. If not, select it by double-clicking and press
<Delete>.
8. Click Redraw ( ).
9.
Place the mouse over the Wall tool ( ) and press down on the left mouse button for one second.
A pop-up menu appears.
10. Select the Left Wall tool from the menu.
11. Click at the extreme corner of the slab near D-2.
12. Click at Grid C, near C-2.

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Figure 353: After defining the slab, the Mesh Input: Standard Plan shows the slab areas and opening (hatched), the
columns and the wall.

48.3.9 Generate the mesh

1.
Click Generate Mesh ( ).
2. In the Generate Mesh dialog box set the Element Size to 1 m.

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3. Click Generate.

48.3.10 View the mesh

1. Choose Layers > Element > Standard Plan.

You will now see a somewhat random mesh. This will still produce reasonable results, but will significantly
improve when you regenerate it later on.

Figure 354: Element: Standard Plan.

48.3.11 View the structure

1. Choose Layers > Element > Structure Summary Perspective.
2.
Use the Rotate about x- and y-axes tool ( ) to rotate the floor.
3. Click the Set Print Viewpoint tool ( ).
Upon returning to this perspective, you can look at the saved view by clicking Show Set Viewpoint ( ).

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Figure 355: Element: Structure Summary Perspective.

48.4 Define the loads

RAM Concept calculates the concrete self-weight automatically.
RAM Concept uses superposition of loads. The easiest way to define areas with increased area loads is to draw a
“blanket” area load over the entire floor, and then draw the additional loads.
There is no limit to the number of loadings than can be specified.

48.4.1 Define the typical live load

1. Choose Layers > Loadings > Live (Reducible) Loading > All Loads Plan.
2. Double click the Area Load tool ( ).
3. In the Default Area Load Properties dialog box:
a. Change Fz to 2 kN/m2 and click OK.
This tool will now draw area loads of 2 kN/ m2.
4. Define an area load over the entire slab by clicking four corners of a quadrilateral and then typing “c”. This
shape need not match the slab’s exact dimensions, but should cover the slab.

48.4.2 Define the balcony live load

1. Turn on Snap to Intersection ( ).
2. Define an area load by snapping to the six vertices of the balcony (and then type “c”). In this situation, it is
best for the load to match the balcony’s dimensions.

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You have drawn another 2 kN/m2 load. This load should be highlighted as it is the current selection. If not,
select it before proceeding by double-clicking with the selection tool.
3. Choose Edit > Selection Properties, or right-click and choose Selection Properties.
4. In the dialog box, change Fz to 3 kN/ m2 and click OK.
There is now a total live load on the balcony of 5 kN/ m2.

Note: You could have drawn the 3 kN/ m2 load by first changing the area load default properties and then using
the tool.

Figure 356: Live (Reducible) Loading: All Loads Plan (showing the balcony area load).

Figure 357: Live (Reducible) Loading: All Loads Plan (with area loads hatching turned on).

48.4.3 Define the other dead loading

1. Choose Layers > Loadings > Live (Reducible) Loading > All Loads Plan.
2.
With the Selection tool ( ), select both area loads (fencing the balcony load selects both loads).
3. Choose Edit > Copy.
4. Choose Layers > Loadings > Other Dead Loading > All Loads Plan.
5. Choose Edit > Paste.
This pastes the live loads onto the Other Dead Loading: All Loads Plan, ready for editing.
6.
With the Selection tool ( ), select the “blanket” load by fencing the entire area.
7. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
8. In the Properties dialog box, change Fz to 1 kN/ m2, and click OK.
9. Double-click the balcony load.

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The balcony load should be the only selected load.

10. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
11. In the Properties dialog box, change Fz to -1 kN/ m2, and click OK.
The balcony other dead load is now effectively zero.

Figure 358: Other Dead Loading: All Loads Plan (with area loads hatching turned on).

48.5 Define the post-tensioning

Post-tensioning methodology varies from country to country. In the USA it is common to use the “banding”
technique for detailing tendons in two-way slabs. Banding means concentrating the tendons over support points
in one direction, and distributing them uniformly in the orthogonal direction. This method is generally used in
conjunction with full-panel design strips. That is, column and middle strips are not used.
In the United Kingdom, engineers are directed towards Technical Report 43 and that document encourages the
use of full panel design strips with the banding technique. This method, with bonded tendons, is used in this
tutorial.

Note: RAM Concept has two layers for tendons called latitude and longitude. Refer to “Using the latitude and
longitude prestressing folders” for more information.

Note: The tutorial in Chapter 49 explains the use of Strip Wizard to establish an estimate of the number of
strands required for the critical band.

Note: For use of the tendon parameters layers as an alternative and perhaps quicker means of defining
prestressing, please refer to “PT Flat Plate Tutorial: ACI 318-08”.

48.5.1 Define the latitude tendons Pt. 1

1. Choose Layers > Latitude Prestressing > Manual Latitude Tendon > Standard Plan.
2.
Choose View > Visible Objects ( ).

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3. Click the Drawing Import tab.

4. Click Show All, and then click OK.
Showing the CAD file makes the following instructions easier to follow.
5.
Double click the Tendon Polyline tool ( ) to edit its default properties.
6. In the Default Tendon Properties dialog box:
a. Set PT System to 12.9mm Bonded.
b. Set Strands per Tendon to 9.
c. Set Profile at end 1 to 212 mm.
d. Set Profile at end 2 to 38 mm, and click OK.

Note: The 25 mm cover to the 19 mm high duct (containing 12.9 mm diameter strand) determines these
profiles.
7. Turn Snap to Intersection ( ).

Proceed immediately to “Define the latitude tendons Pt. 2”.

48.5.2 Define the latitude tendons Pt. 2

Complete the steps in “Define the latitude tendons Pt. 1” before proceeding.

1.
With the Tendon Polyline tool ( ) selected, draw a tendon along grid A:
a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection A-1.
b. Click at the center of the column at A-2.
c. Click at the center of the column at A-3.
d. Right click, and then click Enter.
2. Turn on Snap Orthogonal ( ).
3.
With the Tendon Polyline tool ( ) selected, draw a tendon along grid D:
a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection D-4.
b. Click at the center of the column at D-3.
c. Click at the corner of the slab near D-2.
d. Right click, and then click Enter.
4. Turn off Snap Orthogonal ( ).
5.
Double click the Tendon Polyline tool ( ) to edit its default properties.
6. In the Default Tendon Properties dialog box:
a. Set Strands per Tendon to 20, and click OK.
7.
With the Tendon Polyline tool ( ) selected, draw a tendon along grid B:
a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection B-1.
b. Click at the center of the column at B-2.
c. Click at the center of the column at B-3.
d. Click at the center of the column at B-5.
e. Right click, and then click Enter.
8.
With the Tendon Polyline tool ( ) selected, draw a tendon along grid C:

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a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection B.8-1.

b. Click at the center of the column at C-2.
c. Click at the center of the column at C-3.
d. Click at the center of the column at C-4.
e. Right click, and then click Enter.

Proceed immediately to “Define the latitude tendons Pt. 3”.

48.5.3 Define the latitude tendons Pt. 3

Complete the steps in “Define the latitude tendons Pt. 2” before proceeding.

1. With the Select Connected Tendons tool ( ) selected, double-click the tendon on grid B.
2. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
3. In the Properties dialog box, change Strands Per Tendon to 25, and click OK.
The latitude tendons are drawn but you need to adjust a number of profile points. Any profile point at the end
of a tendon should be at the mid-depth of the 250 mm slab.
4.
With the Selection tool ( ), select all of the terminated tendon segments, other than those over a drop cap,
by:
a. Double clicking at grid intersection B-1.
b. Hold the <Shift> key down and double click at B.8-1.
c. Hold the <Shift> key down and double click at C-4.
d. Hold the <Shift> key down and double click at D-2.
e. Hold the <Shift> key down and double click at D-4.
5. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
6. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 1 to 125 mm and click OK.
7.
With the Selection tool ( ), select all of the terminated tendon segments over a drop cap, by:
a. Double clicking at grid intersection A-1.
b. Hold the <Shift> key down and double click at A-3.
c. Hold the <Shift> key down and double click at B-5.
8. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
9. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 1 to 375 mm and click OK.

Note: This sets the tendon anchorage profile to the centroid of the 250 mm slab, rather than the centroid of
the drop cap.

Proceed immediately to “Define the latitude tendons Pt. 4”.

48.5.4 Define the latitude tendons Pt. 4

Complete the steps in “Define the latitude tendons Pt. 3” before proceeding.

1.
With the Selection tool ( ), double click the tendon segment at B-2.

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2. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
3. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 1 to 462 mm and click OK.
4.
With the Selection tool ( ), double click the tendon segment at C-2.
5. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
6. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 1 to 162 mm and click OK.

Note: This accounts for the step near this location.

7.
With the Selection tool ( ), select the tendon segments between C-2 and C-3.
8.
Click the Calc Profile tool ( ).
The Calc Tendon Profile dialog box appears and reports the current balance load is -32.4 kN/m. If this is not
the number then you probably selected only one tendon segment.
9. Click Cancel.

Proceed immediately to “Define the latitude tendons Pt. 5”.

48.5.5 Define the latitude tendons Pt. 5

Complete the steps in “Define the latitude tendons Pt. 4” before proceeding.

1.
With the Selection tool ( ), select the tendon between C-3 and C-4.
2.
Click the Calc Profile tool ( ).
3. Input the desired balance load as -30 kN/m in the Calc Tendon Profile dialog box and click Calc.
The low point (end 2) adjusts to 126 mm.
4.
With the Selection tool ( ), select all the end span tendons between grids 3 and 5.
5. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
6. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 2 to 125 mm and click OK.

Note: These steps first used the Calc Profile tool to determine a low point that produces a similar average uplift
in an end span as the adjacent span, and then manually changed the low points for practical reasons.

Figure 359: Manual Latitude Tendon: Standard Plan

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48.5.6 Define the longitude tendons Pt. 1

1. Choose Layers > Longitude Prestressing > Manual Longitude Tendon > Standard Plan.

Note: The defaults set up in the Latitude Tendon Plan remain the same. Strictly speaking, you should adjust
Profile at end 1 at columns (to avoid a clash with latitude tendons) but you can ignore for this tutorial.
2. Turn on Snap to Intersection ( ).
3.
Double click the Full Span Tendon Panel tool ( ) to edit its default properties.
4. In the Default Tendon Properties dialog box:
a. Set Strands per Tendon to 4, and click OK.
5.
With the Full-Span Tendon Panel tool ( ) selected, draw tendons in the bottom left panel:
a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection A-1.
b. Click at the center of the column at B-1.
c. Click at the center of the column at B-2.
d. Click at the center of the column at A-2.
6. In the Tendon Panel dialog box:
a. Set Tendon Spacing to Equal.
b. Set Spacing to 2 m, and click OK.
7.
With the Full-Span Tendon Panel tool ( ) selected, draw tendons in the next panel:
a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection B-1.
b. Click at the center of the column at B.8-1.
c. Click at the center of the column at C-2.
d. Click at the center of the column at B-2.
8. In the Tendon Panel dialog box:
a. Set Auto Connect, and click OK.
9. Turn on Snap Nearest Snapable Point ( ) and Snap Orthogonal ( ).

Proceed immediately to “Define the longitude tendons Pt. 2”.

48.5.7 Define the longitude tendons Pt. 2

Complete the steps in “Define the longitude tendons Pt. 1” before proceeding.

1.
With the Half Span Tendon Panel tool ( ) selected, draw tendons in the balcony:
a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection B.8-1.
b. Click at the edge of the slab at 0, 17.8 m.
c. Click at the tendon profile point at 7.2, 17.1 m.

Note: The snap orthogonal snaps the cursor to 7.2, 17.8 m.

d. Click at the tendon profile point at 7.2, 17.1 m.

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2. In the Tendon Panel dialog box:

a. Set Auto Connect, and click OK.
3. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
4. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 1 to 150 mm and Profile at end 2 to 100 mm, and click OK.
5.
With the Selection tool ( ), select the two shortest of the half-span (cantilever) tendon segments.
6. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
7. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 1 to 100 mm, and click OK.

Note: This makes the short tendon segments flat.

Proceed immediately to “Define the longitude tendons Pt. 3”.

48.5.8 Define the longitude tendons Pt. 3

Complete the steps in “Define the longitude tendons Pt. 2” before proceeding.

1.
With the Full-Span Tendon Panel tool ( ) selected, draw tendons in the next panel:
a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection A-2.
b. Click at the center of the column at B-2.
c. Click at the center of the column at B-3.
d. Click at the center of the column at A-3.
2. In the Tendon Panel dialog box:
a. Set Tendon Spacing to Equal.
b. Set Spacing to 2 m.
c. Check Skip start tendon, and click OK.
3.
With the Full-Span Tendon Panel tool ( ) selected, draw tendons in the next panel:
a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection B-2.
b. Click at the center of the column at C-2.
c. Click at the center of the column at C-3.
d. Click at the center of the column at B-3.
4. In the Tendon Panel dialog box, click OK to accept the last choices. Alternatively, you could select Auto
Connect, but you would have to uncheck Skip Start Tendon.
5.
With the Full-Span Tendon Panel tool ( ) selected, draw tendons in the next panel:

Note: This sequence is anti-clockwise.

a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection C-3.

b. Click at the center of the column at D-3.
c. Enter 9.25, 26, and press <Enter>.
d. Turn off Snap Orthogonal ( ).
e. Click at the center of the column at C-2.
6. In the Tendon Panel dialog box:
a. Set Auto Connect.

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b. Uncheck Skip Start Tendon, and click OK.

7.
With the Full-Span Tendon Panel tool ( ) selected, draw tendons in the next panel:
a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection B-3.
b. Click at the center of the column at C-3.
c. Click at the center of the column at C-4.
d. Click at the center of the column at B-5.
8. In the Tendon Panel dialog box:
a. Set Layout to Splayed.
b. Set Tendon Spacing to Equal.
c. Set Spacing to 1.8 m.
d. Check Skip start tendon, and click OK.
9.
With the Full-Span Tendon Panel tool ( ) selected, draw tendons in the next panel:
a. Click at the center of the column at grid intersection C-3.
b. Click at the center of the column at D-3.
c. Click at the center of the column at D-4.
d. Click at the center of the column at C-4.
10. In the Tendon Panel dialog box:
a. Set Auto Connect.
b. Uncheck Skip start tendon, and click OK.

Note: Auto-connect will ignore the tendons at the first click because there are already two tendon segments
connected at that point.

The panel in the top right has too many tendons and some should be deleted.

Proceed immediately to “Define the longitude tendons Pt. 4”.

48.5.9 Define the longitude tendons Pt. 4

Complete the steps in “Define the longitude tendons Pt. 3” before proceeding.

1.
With the Selection tool ( ), select the second tendon in this panel.
2. Hold down <Shift> and select the fifth tendon, and press <Delete>.
3.
With the Half Span Tendon Panel tool ( ) selected, draw tendons that terminate in this panel:
a. Turn on Snap Orthogonal ( ).
b. Click at the profile point at 19, 17.5 m.
c. Type r0,2.1.
d. Click at the last tendon profile point at 22, 17.5 m.

Note: The snap orthogonal snaps the cursor to 22, 19.6 m.

e. Click at the last tendon profile point at 22, 17.5 m.
4. In the Tendon Panel dialog box:
a. Set Auto Connect, and click OK.

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5. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
6. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 2 to 125 mm, and click OK.
7. With the Select Connected Tendons tool ( ) selected, double-click the tendon on grid 2.
8. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
9. In the Properties dialog box, change Strands Per Tendon to 10, and click OK.
10. With the Select Connected Tendons tool ( ) selected, double-click the tendon directly to the left of grid 2.
11. Hold down <Shift> and double-click the tendon directly to the right of grid 2.
12. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
13. In the Properties dialog box, change Strands Per Tendon to 5, and click OK.
The longitude tendons are drawn but you need to adjust a number of profile points. Any profile point at the
end of a tendon should be at the mid-depth of the 250 mm slab.

Proceed immediately to “Define the longitude tendons Pt. 5”.

48.5.10 Define the longitude tendons Pt. 5

Complete the steps in “Define the longitude tendons Pt. 4” before proceeding.

1.
With the Selection tool ( ), select all of the terminated tendon segments, other than those over a drop cap
or within the balcony slab:
a. Fence the tendon segments that end on grid A.
b. Hold the <Shift> key down and repeat the procedure until you have selected all applicable end tendon
segments (tendon segments terminating at grids B and D).
2. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
3. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 1 to 125 mm and click OK.
4.
With the Selection tool ( ), select all of the terminated tendon segments over a drop cap, by:
a. Double clicking at grid intersection A-1.
b. Hold the <Shift> key down and double click at A-3.
c. Hold the <Shift> key down and double click at B-5.
5. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
6. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 1 to 375 mm, and click OK.

Note: This sets the tendon anchorage profile to the centroid of the 250 mm slab, rather than the centroid of
the drop cap.
7.
With the Selection tool ( ), double click the tendon segment at B-2.
8. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
9. In the Properties dialog box, set Profile at end 1 to 462 mm and click OK.
Finally, you need to move the tendon that goes through the opening.

Proceed immediately to “Define the longitude tendons Pt. 6”.

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48.5.11 Define the longitude tendons Pt. 6

Complete the steps in “Define the longitude tendons Pt. 5” before proceeding.

1.
With the Selection tool ( ), select the tendon segment that passes through the opening.
2. Choose the Move tool ( ).
3. Click anywhere on the plan, and type r-.5,0.
4.
With the Selection tool ( ), select the tendon segment above the moved tendon.
5. Choose the Stretch tool ( ).
6. Stretch the end of the tendon segment to meet the end of the moved tendon.
7. Repeat for the tendon segment below the moved tendon.

You could cut down the number of steps in moving the tendon from the opening by using the Utility tool. This
combines the selection tool with move and stretch. Refer to “Expanding tool buttons” and “Using the Utility tool
to move and stretch” for further information.

Figure 360: Manual Longitude Tendon: Standard Plan.

48.6 Create the design strips

Design strips are an essential part of RAM Concept because they link finite element analysis with concrete
design. Their properties include reinforcement bar sizes, cover, and parameters that RAM Concept uses to
determine which code rules are applicable for section design. There are two directions called Latitude and
Longitude.

48.6.1 Generate the latitude spans

1. Double click the Span Segment tool ( ).
The Default Span Properties dialog box opens to the Strip Generation properties.

Note: Column Strip Width Calc is already set to Full Width.

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Create the design strips

2. Click the General tab.

Note: Environment is already set to Normal.

Note: The Consider as Post-Tensioned box is already checked in the EC2 template.
3. Click the Column Strip tab.

Note: CS PT Service Design Type is already set to Stress & Crack Width. You may change this to perform only
stress checks or only crack width designs.
4. Set Cross Section Trimming to Slab Rectangle.
5. Change CS Top Cover to 25 mm.
6. Change CS Code Min. Reinforcement Location to Elevated Slab.
7. Click OK.
8.
Click the Generate Spans tool ( ), or choose Process > Generate Spans.
The Generate Spans dialog box opens with Spans to Generate set to Latitude.
Accept the Minimum Span Length as 0.75 meters.
9. Click OK.
The span segments appear in the latitude direction.

Figure 361: Design Strip: Latitude Design Spans Plan.

Two span segments are skewed. How you treat skewed strips is often a subjective matter, but in this tutorial we
suggest one strip is straightened and the other edited in a different manner.

48.6.2 Generate the latitude strips

1. Click the Generate Strips tool ( ), or choose Process > Generate Strips.
The design strips appear in the latitude direction.

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Figure 362: Latitude design strips (with hatching turned on). Some editing is now required.

RAM Concept uses imperfect algorithms that do not always produce acceptable span segments and span
segment strips, as shown in the following three figures. You can make corrections with a number of tools
You can see this more easily if the strip hatching is turned on.

48.6.3 Hatch the strips

1.
Choose View > Visible Objects ( ).
The Visible Objects dialog box will appear.
2. Check Hatching under Latitude Span Segment Strips, and click OK.

Note: You can also right click to see a popup menu that includes the Visible Objects command.

Figure 363: Skewed span segment that snapped to end of wall

48.6.4 Straighten a span segment

1. Select the span segment between the wall and grid D3 (as shown in the previous figure).
2. Turn on Snap to Intersection ( ).
3. Select the Rotate tool ( ).
4. Click at the end of the span segment at grid D3.
5. Click at the end of the span segment at the wall.
The command line prompts Enter rotation end angle.
6. Enter 180 and press <Return>.
The selected span segment is now horizontal.

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Figure 364: Diagonal strip that warrants manual improvement.

48.6.5 Edit the span cross section orientation

1. Select the diagonal span strip as shown in the previous figure.
2. Select the Orient Span Cross Section tool ( ).
3. Turn on Snap Orthogonal ( ).
4. Click near the diagonal span strip and then again above or below the first click.

The orientation line half way along the span strip is now “vertical”.

Figure 365: Design strip with excessive width.

48.6.6 Draw a Span Boundary Polyline

1. Select the Span Boundary Polyline tool ( ).
2. Click at the intersection of Grid B and Grid C design strips near Grid 3 (point A in the previous figure).
3. Click to the right of the slab edge (point B).
4. Right-click, and click enter.

48.6.7 Regenerate the latitude span strips

1. Click the Generate Strips tool ( ).

The two edited spans produce improved span strips, as shown in the following figure.

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Create the design strips

Figure 366: Design Strip: Latitude Design Strips Plan after regeneration.

48.6.8 Generate the longitude spans

1. Choose Layers > Design Strips > Longitude Design Spans Plan.
2. Double click the Span Segment tool ( ).
3. Click the Column Strip tab.
The defaults set up in the Latitude Design Spans Plan will have remained the same. Since the cover cannot be
the same for both directions, change it for the longitudinal direction.
a. Change CS Top Cover to 41 mm.
b. Change CS Bottom Cover to 37 mm.
c. Click OK.
4.
Click the Generate Spans tool ( ), or choose Process > Generate Spans.
5. In the Generate Spans dialog box:
a. Set Spans to Generate to Longitude.
b.
Click the “up-down” orientation button tool ( ).
c. Click OK.
The spans appear in the longitude direction.

Figure 367: Design Strip: Longitude Design Spans Plan.

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Create the design strips

One span segment on grid 2 is slightly skewed due to the column wall detail at C2. Another span segment
overlays a wall and is unnecessary since the slab is continuously supported (see “Drawing design strips near
walls” for discussion).
Related Links
• Drawing design strips near walls (on page 259)

48.6.9 Straighten a span segment

1. Select the span segment between grid B2 and C2 (highlighted in the previous figure).
2. Turn on Snap to Intersection ( ).
3. Select the Rotate tool ( ).
4. Click at the end of the span segment at grid B2.
5. Click at the end of the span segment at the wall.
The command line prompts Enter rotation end angle.
6. Enter 90 and press <Return>.
The selected span segment is now vertical.

48.6.10 Delete the span segment over the wall

1. Select the span segment that overlays the wall, and press <Delete>.

48.6.11 Edit the span cross section orientation

1. Select the diagonal span segment between B-5 and C-4.
2. Select the Orient Span Cross Section tool ( ).
3. Turn on Snap Orthogonal ( ).
4. Click near the diagonal span strip and then again to the left or right of the first click.
5. The orientation line half way along the span strip is now “horizontal”.

48.6.12 Generate the longitude strips

1. Click the Generate Strips tool ( ), or choose Process > Generate Strips.

The design strips appear in the longitude direction.

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Figure 368: Design Strip: Longitude Design Spans Plan.

48.6.13 Check for punching shear

1. Choose Layers > Design Strip > Punching Checks Plan.
2.
Double click the Punching Shear Check tool ( ).
3. In the Default Punching Shear Check Properties dialog box:
a. Change Cover to CGS to 41 mm (cover to centroid of top reinforcement).
b. Click OK.
4. Fence the slab with the Punching Shear Check tool.
5. Select the punch check at 0, 15.5m and change the Beta Factor to 1.40 (edge).

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Regenerate the mesh

Figure 369: Design Strip: Punching Checks Plan.

48.7 Regenerate the mesh

The presence of design strips can significantly improve the regularity of the finite element mesh. We recommend
that once you have completed the design strips, you regenerate the mesh.

1.
Click Generate Mesh ( ).
2. Enter Element Size of 0.75 m and click Generate.

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There is now a better mesh. View the mesh on the Element: Standard Plan.

Figure 370: Element: Standard Plan after regeneration.

48.8 Calculate and view the results

After you run the model, you can view the results of the analysis and design calculations.

48.8.1 Review Calc Options

1. Choose Criteria > Calc Options.
2. Review the options, and click OK.

Note: See “ Calculating the results (on page 345) ” for more information.

Related Links
• Calculating the results (on page 345)

48.8.2 Calculate
1. Click Calc All ( ), or choose Process > Calc All.
An error message appears concerning a problem with a tendon out of the slab in strip 6C-2.
2. Click Continue three times to clear the error message.
The source of the error messages must be investigated.

48.8.3 View the design strips with tendons

1. Choose Layers > Design Strips > Longitude Cross Sections Perspective.
2.
Choose View > Visible Objects ( ).

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3. Click the Tendons tab.

4. Select the Longitude Tendons layer, check Tendons, and click OK.
5.
Use the Rotate about X and Y axes tool ( ) and the Zoom Rectangle ( ) tool to view the problem location
shown in the following two figures.

Figure 371: Longitude Cross Sections Perspective with longitude tendons visible.

Figure 372: Rotation and zoom-in of the problem location in the previous figure.

The problem is that the cross sections are trimmed with the Slab Rectangle setting. For span segment 6-2, that
setting is causing a problem because of the combination of the drop cap and thinner balcony slab.

48.8.4 Edit span segment 6-2

1. Choose Layers > Design Strips > Longitude Design Spans Plan.
2.
Choose View > Visible Objects ( ).
3. Check the Numbers box under Longitude Span Segments, and click OK.
4. Select span segment 6-2.
5. Right click on the plan and choose Selection Properties from the popup menu.
6. Click the Column Strip tab.
7. Change CS Cross Section Trimming to Inverted T or L, and click OK.

48.8.5 Recalculate
1. Click Calc All ( ), or choose Process > Calc All.
RAM Concept completes the calculations without errors.

See “Cross Section Trimming” for a thorough explanation of Cross Section trimming.

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Related Links
• Cross Section Trimming (on page 229)

48.8.6 Design status

Look at design status

1. Choose Layers > Design Status > Status Plan.

Figure 373: Design Status: Status Plan.

This plan shows many failures due to EC2 section 7.3.

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48.8.7 Stress and Crack Width Designs

Note: Some UK slab designers consider that designing slabs according to TR 43 is “deemed to comply” with the
EC2 crack width provisions and hence the EC2 crack width calculations need not be checked. We will take that
approach here.

To have Concept use only the TR43 stress limits

1. Open the Design Strip > Latitude Design Spans plan.
2. Select all of the design spans and edit their properties.
3. On the Column Strip tab in the properties dialog, change the CS PT Service Design Type to “Stress” and click
OK
4. Make the same changes to the Longitude Design Spans

Calculate and Review Updated Status

1. Click Calc All ( ), or choose Process > Calc All.
2. Choose Layers > Design Status > Status Plan.

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Calculate and view the results

Figure 374: Design Status: Updated Status Plan.

This shows “OK” for all but two design strips. “OK” means that there are no violations of code limits for
ductility, flexural stress and one-way shear. Note that status does not flag excessive deflections.
The failure clause shown for design strip 2C-1 is “TR43 5.8.1”. This is due to a slightly too high tensile
stresses at the column face. This can be resolved by adding one more tendon along grid B (not done in this
tutorial).
The failure clause shown for design strip 2C-3 is “TR43 5.8.2”. You can look up this clause in TR43 to see that
it is the “transfer condition”. It is known as the Initial Service Rule Set in RAM Concept.
It is not surprising that there is a problem in this span as there are 25 strands in half a panel. A solution
would be to terminate some strands at grid 3 (not done in this tutorial).
There are punching shear status results at each column. You can see these more easily on the dedicated
punching plan.
3. Choose Layers > Design Status > Punching Shear Status Plan.

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RAM Concept has noted “Non-standard section” at six column locations and “OK with SSR” at eight columns.
“Non-standard Section” is a warning, not an error. What it means is that at least one of the critical sections
that RAM Concept is investigating for that column does not perfectly fit one of the three cases: interior, edge
and corner. RAM Concept still calculates a stress ratio for non-standard sections. Refer to “Non-Standard
Sections: AS3600, BS8110, EC2 and IS 456” in Chapter 29 for more information.
Where the unreinforced stress ratio (USR) is less than 1.0, the column’s punching shear is satisfactory
without any reinforcement (subject to the comments above concerning “Non-standard section)).
Stud shear reinforcement is required where Concept reports “OK with SSR”.

Note: Choose Layers > Design Status > SSR Plan to view the stud shear reinforcement.

Figure 375: Design Status: Punching Shear Status Plan.

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48.8.8 Design reinforcement

Look at design reinforcement

1. Choose Layers > Design Status > Reinforcement Plan.

Figure 376: Design Status: Reinforcement Plan.

This shows all the code-determined reinforcement for each of the design strips. Since the slab is post-
tensioned, there is not much reinforcement. You might choose to view all design reinforcement on the one
plan, or you can access plans in the Design Status layer that separate reinforcement according to: face (top or

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bottom) and direction (latitude or longitude).Choose the plans that best convey the results without too much
clutter.

Figure 377: Design Status: Latitude Bottom Reinforcement Plan.

The Reinforcement layer plans show detailed reinforcement. In particular, the top bars are rationalized so that
the number is consistent each side of columns.

Look at detailed top reinforcement

1. Choose Layers > Reinforcement > Top Bars Plan.

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Figure 378: Reinforcement: Top Bars Plan

48.8.9 Concrete stresses

TR43 has limits for the hypothetical stresses due to flexure and axial loads. The code bases the rules upon
“averaging” rather than peak values.
Stress contour plots of the net flexural stresses are available in RAM Concept. Most designers will not be
interested in these plots because, in following the code, RAM Concept does not use the contours directly in
design.

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What will likely be of interest are the plans that show the concrete stresses plotted along the design strips. These
are the average stresses based upon the design strip widths.
View top stress plan

1. Choose Layers > Rule Set Designs > Characteristic Service Design > Top Stress Plan.
2.
Right click over the plan and choose Plot ( ).
3. In the Plot Settings dialog box:
a. Change Max Frame # to 4.
b. Click OK

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Figure 379: Characteristic Service Design: Top Stress Plan.

To view the Max Demand more easily you can uncheck Max Capacity in the plot options.
Similarly, you can view the bottom stress plan at Layers > Rule Set Designs > Characteristic Service Design >
Bottom Stress Plan.

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48.8.10 Deflection
Usually you are interested in short-term and long-term deflections. Load history deflections can be used to
evaluate both.

Calculate Load History Deflections

1. Click Calc Load History Deflections ( ), or choose Process > Calc Load History Deflections.
The Maximum Short Term Load, Sustained Load, and Final Instantaneous Load History Deflection Layers
provide contour plans for deflection.

View maximum short term load deflection

1. Choose Layers > Load History Deflections > Maximum Short Term Load > Std Deflection Plan.

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Figure 380: Maximum Short Term Load: Deflection Plan.

2.
Right click over the plan and choose Plot ( ) to change Plot Type from Color Contour to Contour.

View sustained deflection

1. Choose Layers > Load History Deflections > Sustained Load > Std Deflection Plan.

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Figure 381: Sustained Load: Deflection Plan.

48.8.11 Bending Moments

While it is not necessary to view bending moments, it can be useful, especially for irregular structures. Even
though principal moments are important, the default moment contours plans are for Mx (moment about the x-
axis) and My. This is because most designers detail reinforcement orthogonally, and the directions are usually
the x- and y-axes. You can view moments about any axes, including the principal axes.
It is not particularly easy to assess the moment contours. This is why Plot Distribution Tools are so useful.

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View Ultimate LC Moments

1. Choose Layers > Load Combinations > Ultimate LC: 1.25D + 0.9H + 1.5L > Max Mx Plan.
The Mx contours should be visible.
Let’s modify this plan to show moments for the “Standard” context (full load, with standard load factors)
instead of the “Max” context (maximum value for any set of standard or alternate load factors and any load
pattern).
2.
Right click over the plan and choose Plot ( ).
3. In the plot window that opens, the Slab tab should be active. Change the Context item from “Max” to
“Standard”. Click OK.
Now let’s draw some section distribution plots.
4. Turn on Snap Orthogonal ( )
5. Click the Selected Plot Distribution tool ( ).
6. Click first at grid intersection B-3, and then click at grid intersection D-3.
This shows the bending moment shape along the line you have drawn.
7. While pressing the <Shift> key, click at grid intersection B-1, and then click at grid intersection B-3.
This shows how Mx varies across the panel, and highlights the approximate nature of the TR43 post-tension
design method.

See “Section distribution plots” for more information.

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Figure 382: Ultimate LC: 1.25D + 0.9H + 1.5L Max Mx Plan showing use of Plot Distribution tool.

Related Links
• Section distribution plots (on page 365)

View the balanced load percentages:

1. Choose Layers > Design Strips > Latitude Design Strips Plan

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2.
Choose View > Visible Objects ( ).
3. Choose “Balanced Load Percentages” in the Visible Objects dialog box and click OK.

See “Calculating the balanced load percentages” for more information.

Related Links
• Calculating the balanced load percentages (on page 794)

RAM Concept 664 User Manual