This article compares the design to the one in the referenced article: Design of Concrete Columns Subjected to Axial Compression with RF-CONCRETE Members. It is, therefore, about taking exactly the same theoretical application carried out in RF-CONCRETE Members and reproducing it in RF-CONCRETE Columns. Thus, the objective is to compare the different input parameters and the results obtained by the two add-on modules for the design of column-like concrete members.
In RF‑/CONCRETE Columns, different methods are available for defining the minimum longitudinal reinforcement. The minimum reinforcement can be selected according to the design standard used and/or specified by the user.
This article deals with elements concerning which the cross-section is subjected simultaneously to a bending moment, a shear force, and an axial compressive or tensile force. However, in our example we will not include loading due to shear force.
Daily tasks in reinforced concrete design also include designing compression elements subjected to biaxial bending. The following article describes the different methods according to Chapter 5.8.9, EN 1992-1-1, which can be used to design compression elements with biaxial load eccentricities by means of the nominal curvature method according to 5.8.8.
When calculating the internal forces for the buckling analysis with the method based on nominal curvature in RF‑CONCRETE Columns, the required eccentricities have to be determined.
Effective lengths for columns can be determined automatically with RF-/CONCRETE Columns. This article describes which entries are necessary and how the calculation of the effective lengths is performed.
The new options for the graphical display of reinforcements that were implemented in RF‑CONCRETE Members and CONCRETE are now also available in RF‑/CONCRETE Columns.
The national parameters of EN 1992‑1‑1 for each country can be exported from RF‑/CONCRETE, RF‑/CONCRETE Columns, and RF‑/FOUNDATION Pro. To do this, there are interfaces with MS Excel, OpenOffice, and CSV. By exporting the national parameters, you can edit them in (for example) MS Excel, and display possible differences between the individual National Annexes clearly (see the image).