Enercalc Tilt-Wall Panel Question 2

[JammerMatt]

Greetings,

I'm new here.

Any experiences or any known bugs with the Enercalc Tilt-Up Concrete Wall Panel module? At the very least it seems to be calculating my moments correctly, and I can even simulate brick veneer lateral loadings.

Any known pitfalls you wish to share?

 

[Lutfi]

Which version of Enercalc are you using? The latest is 5.8.0

 

[jammermatt1]

We're using 5.6.1. Thanks

 

[structuresguy]

We use Enercalc for tilt wall panels quite often. At least for generic panels. Anything odd shaped it will not handle.

First thing to remember, is it always takes the moment due to laod eccentricity and adds it to the moment due to wind. This is not always teh case, obviously, in reality. So be aware of that.

Second, it will not give any warnings about bar cover. Be careful with thin panels that have double mat of steel. You may calculate it to work, but not have enough cover for fire ratings.

Third, there is no way to represent a panel braced at multiple levels, say for a 2 or 3 story building with one full height panel braced at the floor levels. So you have to look at it one floor at a time.

Fourth, when it calculates minimum steel required, it will use the minimum value you enter in the input section. If you go buy ACI minimums in chapter 14.5, you will have a lot of steel. The chapter allows you to have less than the minimum areas when you calculate it not required for loading, per paragraph 14.4 I think (dont have ACI in front of me). Keep this in mind, and use your judgement.

Fifth, if you are wondering, we always use the ACI Iterated design method option.

I can't think of anything else off hand, if I do, I will be back. I would recommend you upgrade to the newest version. There have been many tweaks to the input files, and upgrades to the latest codes.

Hope this helps out a little.

 

[Lutfi]

I echo most of what Structuresguy's input.

I recommend you get the latest version. They send you updates on line which I think is quiet helpful.

I have been using Enercalc since it used to run on Lotus 1 2 3, yes, that is how it started. You had to have Lotus to run the sheets and Enercalc used to give you a copy of Lotus with their software.

I have done many designs using Enercalc and have no problem. You must understand, as for any software, the theory and limitations of the software.

Hugh Brooks, Mike's father who developed Enercalc, written and excellent text on tilt-up panel design and construction. He used Enercalc in his book, no surprise their since it is his son’s, to demonstrate design of tilt-up panels.

There are some spread sheets that you can buy on internet to design tilt-up panels. I recommend that you develop your own. They are not that hard to write

Good luck

 

[UcfSE]

I made my own spreadsheet for tilt panel design using the ACI slender compression member equations. It took a little while but overall it was not that difficult. I highly recommend getting the PCA notes on 318-02 if you decide to go this route. It has some additional information to be used in place of the ACI code, particularly info used to calculate the nonsway magnification factor. It also has some examples worked out. Even if you use software, learning to do the calcs by hand are a must for understanding the software, checking methods, errors and misc blah blah stuff. Garbage in = garbage out.

 

[jammermatt1]

Thanks folks. All good advice.