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Concept.xls is a design tool for reinforced concrete frames that generates and compares multiple frame options for cost and time efficiency. It provides initial design specifications, reinforcement estimates, and cost summaries, while allowing user input for various parameters. The software is shareware, designed for UK use, and requires specific system configurations and font installations to operate effectively.

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Sampath Bandara
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5 views3 pages

Read Me

Concept.xls is a design tool for reinforced concrete frames that generates and compares multiple frame options for cost and time efficiency. It provides initial design specifications, reinforcement estimates, and cost summaries, while allowing user input for various parameters. The software is shareware, designed for UK use, and requires specific system configurations and font installations to operate effectively.

Uploaded by

Sampath Bandara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as XLS, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CONCEPT v2

Notes

Concept.xls is an invaluable design tool for the conceptual design of reinforced concrete frames. In minutes, the spreadsheet produces 13
concrete frame options which can then be compared for time and cost. It suggests the optimum concrete frame, giving initial slab, beam
and column sizes; it provides reinforcement estimates and quantities of formwork and concrete. The costs of foundations, construction
time, labour and cladding are considered for each of the potential concrete frames.
Concept.xls has been developed by the same team that prepared the RC-Spreadsheets: Spreadsheets for Concrete Design to
BS8110 and EC2(© BCA 2000). It uses data from Economic Concrete Frame Elements by C H Goodchild (© BCA 1997) to determine
member sizes and reinforcement quantities for spans of up to 12m or 16m for wide beam options.
Within the GEOMETRY! sheet the designer inputs information such as the number of bays, spans, and loads. He/she may change cost and
time data on the Rates! sheet. The program sizes up and compares conceptual designs to BS 8110, then ranks them in order of total or
construction cost.

Concept will automatically choose the best cost-optimised scheme from the following forms of reinforced concrete frame:-
Flat slab One-way slab, spanning in Y Ribbed slab, spanning in Y Two-way slab
One-way slab, spanning in X Ribbed slab, spanning in X Two-way slab, wide beam
One-way slab, wide beam, spanning in Y Ribbed slab, wide beam, spanning in Y Waffle slab, no beams
One-way slab, wide beam, spanning in X Ribbed slab, wide beam, spanning in X Waffle slab, wide beams

Optimisation includes consideration of foundations, materials, cladding cost and, optionally, the cost of time to construct. The user may
choose to investigate their own preferred option or options.

The designer can then proceed with verification and detailed design in the normal way. Printed outputs include initial floor plans, sections,
isometric stick diagrams, cost comparisons and material quantities. An outline construction cost summary can also be produced, based on
default rates for construction costs or those input by the user. As it is spreadsheet based, much of the program's work and data is
available for inspection, avoiding the 'black box' scenario.

The spreadsheet is limited to 15 storeys and rectangular buildings - albeit bays can be omitted. Column sizes for buildings with more than
15 storeys may be investigated using the spreadsheet RCC 51 Column load take-down design.xls (by inputting appropriate column
loads and moments at cell LOADTD! G57:G60).

Concept.xls is a normal, albeit large, Excel 2000 file, part of Office 2000. You can run Concept.xls straight from the CD-ROM, but to enable
you to save and reload data and for fast operation please follow the instructions in Installation! in this spreadsheet. It is shareware - please
refer to Licence Conditions and System Req sheet in this spreadsheet.

Operating instructions are given on the initial WELCOME! sheet of Concept.xls: if you make a mess of it - start again from the base version
on the CD-ROM.

The Concrete Centre acknowledges the support of in the development of Concept.xls

Date File/Size Version Comments


2-Dec-04 162 KB 2.0 Updated, edited and rebranded. For general release
CONCEPT v2
Installation of Concept

You can run Concept.xls straight from the CD-ROM, but to enable you to save data and for fast
operation please copy the eight files listed below into a dedicated directory of your hard disk.

CONCEPT.xls Sample03.xls
DataTemplate.xlt Sample04.xls
Sample01.xls Tekton~i.ttf
Sample02.xls Tekton~n.ttf

From Windows Explorer, right-click these eight files on your hard disk, select "properties" from the
menu and disable "read only".

For correct operation, please ensure that the two Tekton fonts are installed by selecting Start -
Settings - Control panel - Fonts, and viewing font list. If not already installed, select File - Install
new fonts, and select the Tekton fonts from your CONCEPT directory.

To run, load CONCEPT.xls from within Excel, or double-click from within Windows Explorer.

The spreadsheet uses macros, so you must 'enable macros' when asked. Note: if you cannot
enable macros you should change your security setting within Excel as follows: click Tools- macro -
security and set the security level to 'Medium' and restart Excel.
CONCEPT v2
Licence Conditions
This version is for UK use only. This spreadsheet may be evaluated freely as shareware,
but may not be used for commercial purposes until the user has registered. Special
conditions apply to full-time students of UK courses and overseas use (please refer to
Concrete Bookshop).
Registration
For UK, registration costs £50 + VAT per individual and £250 + VAT per company.
Registration is available from the Concrete Bookshop:
www.concretebookshop.com
[email protected]
Tel: 01276-608778

Updates
Access to any updates is available exclusively to Registered users only, and, at The
Concrete Centre's option, by download from our website.
www.concretecentre.com

Helpdesk
For queries or comments other than registration, in the first instance please contact:
[email protected]
Tel: 0700 4 500 500

Disclaimer
All advice or information from The Concrete Centre is intended for those who will evaluate
the significance and limitations of its contents and take responsibility for its use and
application. No liability (including that for negligence) for any loss resulting from such
advice or information is accepted by The Concrete Centre or their subcontractors,
suppliers or advisors. Users should note that all Concrete Centre software and publications
are subject to revision from time to time and should therefore ensure that they are in
possession of the latest version.

System Requirements
Windows 2000 or later
Excel 2000 or later
128MB of Ram (minimum)
450MB processor (minimum)
Tekton font must be installed (available on CD)
For optimum display, please view at 1024 x 768 resolution and minimum of 16 bit colour.

The Concrete Centre


Riverside House
4 Meadowside Business Park
Station Approach
Blackwater
Camberley
Surrey GU17 9AB
Tel +44 (0)1276 606800 Fax +44 (0)1276 606801
www.concretecentre.com

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