Existing Column

Rectangular columns may be introduced from the Existing Column Menu. Users can adapt the section’s dimensions either in the View/Modify Geometry window or by selecting one section from the predefined standard sections (square or rectangular) included in the Geometry menu.

The material set properties can be defined through the Define Material Sets button within the Materials menu. The required values for the definition of the materials properties are Mean Value and Mean -σ value of the Concrete Strength, the Longitudinal Reinforcement Strength and the Transverse Reinforcement Strength. Alternatively, the user can provide the concrete class and the steel class for the Longitudinal and Transverse Reinforcement.

Further, the longitudinal and transverse reinforcement may be defined by editing the relevant reinforcement pattern controls.

Adding single longitudinal reinforcement bars may also be carried out through the corresponding Additional Rebars module, where additional reinforcement may be introduced graphically:

In the Existing Column module users may choose between the View Reinforcement, where the reinforcement of the section is displayed (longitudinal and transverse), and the View/Modify Geometry, where the section’s dimensions may be viewed and modified.

The member classification into Primary and Secondary member along with the concrete cover thickness can be specified through the Advanced Member Properties Module of the Other Parameters menu. A reference of each parameter in the Codes available by the program is also presented in the Advanced Member Properties Module.

Finally the loads on the existing member at the time of the application of the FRP strengthening can be specified through the Applied Loads menu. Applied Loads include the Axial Force when strengthening against Shear and the Axial Force and Initial Moment Mo when strengthening against Bending.