Structural

[civilstruct3]

Hi Friends,
I am developing Mathcad worksheet for concrete column interaction diagram for axial load and uniaxial moment. I intend to extend to biaxial moments also. My aim is to use this worksheet in optimizing the column design for various sizes rebars and/or column sizes and further include in the design reports. However, I am struck while developing the loops. I haven’t been successful so far.
I have developed an excel sheet for the same purpose but I am finding Mathcad suit better for reporting.

Can someone please shed light by providing a go-by or already developed Mathcad worksheet for this purpose? Thanks

 

[ishvaaag]

I did some work on Mathcad 2000 Professional about 10 years ago on sectional analysis. This worksheet solves the status for biaxial flexocompression circular full section with both (if wanted) concentrical passive and active reinforcements. It is far more a technical approach than a code approach but gives useful info.

Hope it helps.

 

[IDS]

civilstruct3 - If you have a working spreadsheet version it would seem more productive to me to work on the interface for that, rather than transporting it to a different platform. But if you want to move it to Mathcad (and it should be a good learning excercise if nothing else), then you will probably get a better response if you post under a descriptive heading, post in the Mathcad forum, and give a detailed description of what you are having a problem with.

ishvaaag - is it possible to post your file either in Mathcad 8 format (which can be opened in a free viewer), or in a format that doesn't require Mathcad? Thanks.



Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/

 

[ishvaaag]

I may try, however I don't think it necessarily the resultant worksheet will work since towards a lower release. I may also provide a simpler uniaxial case.

Essentially, that I remember (I have never been a man of excellent memory) what I was doing is setting the equilibrium for the forces analytically and letting Mathcad find it; so I was not (in this case) using the programming abilities within Mathcad to produce the result.

Will try soon with the Mathcad 8 converted worksheets, if able to produce them; if not, I will produce pdf prints.

 

[ishvaaag]

Here the pdf printout for the simpler in-1 plane flexocompression. As I said, no explicit statement of iteration to get result, just letting Mathcad find equilibrium for forces in compatibility of deformations.

In the afternoon will try with the other files.

 

[ishvaaag]

A better printout of the same above.

 

[ishvaaag]

Now the on Puxy reinforced-prestressed circular section worksheet printout.

 

[ishvaaag]

And the worksheets converted to Mathcad 8 release; I haven't tried them to work, since presently I don't keep any Mathcad 8 active installation.

 

[IDS]

Thanks ishvaag.

If you could also send me a spare half day so I can have a proper look at it, that would be much appreciated



Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/

 

[ishvaaag]

Heh, just look the simple worksheet for the uniaxial case, and see that it is only setting the equilibrium for forces and moments and let mathcad find the solution; in reality just a find block; such way it is the mathcad solver which supports the brunt of the solution instead of your programming effort.

 

[csd72]

I will definately put this one on the list of most usefull (read useless) post names, right up there with 'green trees'. We already assume that your question is structural otherwise why would you have posted it on the structural forum!

I cannot see how you could possibly justify writing your own spreadsheet for column design, I am sure there are plenty of better things you could be dedicating your time to. There are plenty of column design programs out there that are cheap and easy to use as well as being reliable. This is one of the few things that I would never do by hand (except to check via quick estimate calculations).

 

[ishvaaag]

Just as a comment, csd72, I bought Mathcad on the issue of sectional design. At the time PCA colum and alike were maybe $600 to $1000 to buy, abut the same than Mathcad, so I choose a general tool over the particular one, and never regretted. In all, there maybe many different enticements to pursue any endeavour, only that some may not be logical or just in our particular path.

 

[IDS]

I cannot see how you could possibly justify writing your own spreadsheet for column design, I am sure there are plenty of better things you could be dedicating your time to.

I have to disagree there. Progamming a task like a column interaction diagram is both a good way to learn programming (in whatever environment you choose), and also to really understand the problem being programmed. I wouldn't go so far as to say that everyone should do it, but for anyone who has the interest I don't think it should be discouraged.

I don't think it is necessary to go to Mathcad for an efficient solution, but for someone who has Mathcad and wants to learn to use it better, this would be a good way to do it.

Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/

 

[civilstruct3]

Thanks to all for useful response and comments.