Editing transverse reinforcement in beams
The options available in the beam editor for viewing or editing the transverse reinforcement in the beams are described below.
Editing the layout of the transverse reinforcement
To view the layout of the beam’s transverse reinforcement as determined by the analysis, open the editing panel for the entered assembly reinforcement. To do this, open the "Longitudinal reinforcement" menu at the top, select the “Edit” option, and click on the beam’s assembly reinforcement in the main viewport on the right.
| Note: |
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| The "Enter assembly reinforcement" option in the "Longitudinal reinforcement" menu allows you to define the layout of the transverse reinforcement in the same way. |
In the window that appears, select the button in the "Transverse" section. From here, you can view or change the type of stirrups or branches by using the "Edit reinforcement" option and selecting the relevant elements.
The following options are available among the stirrups:
- Closed stirrup
- Closed stirrup with top crosstie overlapping
- Open stirrup
- Open stirrup with top closing crosstie
In the case of branches, the available options include:
- Straight branch
- S-shaped branch
- Closed branch
To "Delete frames", click on the option and then on the frames in the viewer.
The "New" option allows you to add new stirrups and bars of the types described. After selecting the stirrup type, click on the starting longitudinal bars and then on the ending longitudinal bars that enclose the transverse reinforcement. In the case of branches, they are added by selecting the longitudinal bars that connect those branches. Once the layout of the transverse reinforcement has been defined, confirm the window.
In the assembly layout editing window, the programme also allows you to "Import an admissible arrangement from the assembly reinforcement table" by clicking on the corresponding button on the right-hand side.
Selecting one of the rows in the table defines the longitudinal reinforcement and, in addition, a transverse reinforcement layout with a specific number of stirrups and bars.
Editing the diameter, spacing, number of bars and sections of transverse reinforcement
The remaining editing tools relating to the transverse reinforcement of beams can be found in the "Transverse reinforcement" menu at the top of the "Edit beams" window.
This menu offers the following options:
- Edit template
- Edit reinforcement
- Divide reinforcement spans
- Align reinforcement spans
- Delete reinforcement spans
Each of these options is described below.
Edit template
If a reinforcement layout has not yet been defined for the beam, the "Edit template" option allows you to specify the "Number of bars" that will be tied by the stirrups in the span.
Edit armour
The most common approach is to use the "Edit reinforcement" option, which then allows you to select the section of transverse reinforcement located at the bottom of the portal section. The program allows you to tick or untick the "Provide reinforcement in this span" box and specify a "Transverse reinforcement arrangement", which can be "The same as the assembly reinforcement" or "Specific to this interval". In the latter case, it must be defined as described above by clicking the button on the right-hand side.
In either case, once the arrangement of the transverse reinforcement has been defined, the "Stirrup diameter", the "Reinforcement spacing" and the "Number of grouped stirrups" are specified, along with, where applicable, the "Crosstie diameter" and the "Number of grouped crossties".
Divide reinforcement sections
To "Divide reinforcement sections", click on the relevant option and then on the point where you want to split the stirrup. Then, confirm the "Distance".
| Note: |
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| This option allows you to create areas where stirrups are concentrated or to edit the created reinforcement sections individually, changing the diameter or spacing between the reinforcements within them. |
Match reinforcement spans
The "Match reinforcement spans" option allows you to apply the "Layout", "Diameters", "Spacing" or the number of "Grouped stirrups and crossties" from the selected reinforcement section to any other spans selected subsequently.
Delete reinforcement sections
Finally, the "Delete stirrup sections" option allows you to delete sections of stirrups, whilst ensuring that at least one stirrup section remains in each beam.
Checking, verifying and saving changes
After making any changes to the reinforcement, click on the "Update error information" option in the top toolbar to check the frame following the changes made.
After selecting this option, you can use the "U.L.S. and S.L.S. checks at the worst case point" and "U.L.S. and S.L.S. checks at a point" options to access the check lists and review the results of the changes.
Finally, you can "Save" the results of your work on the portal frame using the relevant option. If you wish to exit the editor without saving your changes, you can close the editing window and confirm this in the dialogue box that appears.
