The tools in the "Top reinforcement" section of the "Hollow core slabs" menu, within the "Results" tab, allow you to modify the top reinforcement obtained for hollow core slabs following the structural analysis.

Changes made using the tools in this section are not retained in subsequent redesigns; therefore, they should only be used during the final adjustment stage prior to printing or exporting the data.

Each of the available tools is described below.

Modify

The "Modify" option allows you to change the number, diameter and length of the reinforcement bars in the negative reinforcement. It also allows you to add or remove layers or reinforcement groups.

To do this, select the reinforcement to be modified by drawing a box on the plan view.

In the "Modify reinforcement" window that appears, you can modify the "Reinforcement" in the "1st layer" and "2nd layer" by specifying their number, diameter and spacing. You can also enter the "End lengths" (or the lengths of the reinforcement bars on either side of the beam axis), or the length of the "Extensions" (which the program adds in cases where the top reinforcements meet a slab edge).

The lengths of bars anchored in a straight extension are measured from the nearest beam centreline, whilst the lengths of bars anchored at the end indicate the length from the bend point.

The "Copy" option allows you to extract data from a selected top reinforcement on the floor plan, whilst "Accept" applies the data entered in the window to the reinforcements selected when using the option.

Assign

The "Assign" option allows you to change the diameters and spacing of the selected group of top reinforcement.

Clicking on this option brings up the "Current top reinforcement" dialogue box, where you can select an existing reinforcement from the "Type table" for the slab itself or define a "Manual reinforcement" (which allows you to enter reinforcements not listed in the table). Once selected, you must accept the dialogue box and mark the reinforcement bars on the plan view that you wish to replace with the selected reinforcement.

Enter

The "Enter" option allows you to insert rebars for top reinforcement on hollow core slabs.

When you click on the option, right-clicking allows you to select the "Current top reinforcement", where you can choose an existing reinforcement from the "Type table" on the sheet itself or define a "Manual reinforcement" (which allows you to enter reinforcements not listed in the table). It is also possible to enter the "Default lengths" for the reinforcement to be laid out, at both the left and right ends, as well as the length of the stirrup.

Next, left-click on two points on the plan view of a hollow core slab to position the reinforcement, either on both sides of an intermediate support (such as a beam), or near an edge support and at another point beyond the edge of the slab. In the box that appears, you will need to confirm the lengths of both ends, or of one of the ends and the length of the stirrup, as appropriate. The parameter "Leng. betw." indicates the distance between beam centres when inserting a continuous top reinforcement in a span. Upon acceptance, the arranged reinforcement will be drawn.

You cannot insert bars where assembly packages have already been defined: in this case, you must use the "Modify" option if you wish to add new bars or edit their data, or first delete the existing top reinforcement groups in order to use the "Enter" option.

Delete

The "Delete" option allows you to remove reinforcement bars from drawings.

To do this, the bars to be removed are selected using a selection box on the plan view.

Modify position

The "Move position" option allows you to move the display of the top reinforcement from one bar to another point within the same bar. This can be useful when the reinforcement label interferes with other text.

To change the position of the display of the reinforcement, click on the label text in the reinforcement panel and then click on a point in the same panel to define its new position.