EngSolutions RCB v9.1.1
EngSolutions RCB is a structural engineering software for 3D analysis and design of reinforced concrete and structural steel buildings. EngSolutions RCB consists of several modules integrated into an exceptionally easy to use software package. Through EngSolutions RCB’s graphical interface, it is possible to easily create, analyze, and design complex building structures for earthquake and wind forces, according to different buildings codes.
Idealization
The EngSolutions RCB building is idealized as an assemblage of column, beam, brace and wall elements, interconnected by horizontal floor diaphragm slabs, rigid in their own plane. The basic building geometry is defined with reference to a simple tri-dimensional grid system, formed by intersecting floor planes and vertical column axes. The building can be at any location and angle with respect to the tri-dimensional grid system. Column axes are defined through an architectural grid of longitudinal and transverse axes, in the case of rectangular buildings, or radial and circumferential axes, in the case of cylindrical buildings. Inclined columns and walls can be also modeled displacing their end nodes correspondingly.
Geometry
The EngSolutions RCB software includes Wizards that allow creating complex building structures easily with minimum user input. The geometry of building models in EngSolutions RCB is based on a grid system defined by an architectural grid system of axes, which define the plan view of the model, and floor levels, which define the elevation of the model. This three-dimensional grid is used to define the location of all structural elements.
Design
Structural elements can be designed in accordance to the Strength Design Method of Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-19/11/08/05/02/99) and other international building codes. EngSolutions RCB computes the required steel reinforcement for any concrete section considering all design load combinations.
Although EngSolutions RCB is a mainly software for concrete design it includes commands for design and design check of steel members. The program includes design for various section shapes (W, M, S, T, C, L, 2L, P, etc) created manually or imported from the AISC library, which is included in EngSolutions RCB. The Steel design command includes command buttons for automatically resizing columns, beams, and braces.
The design process is graphically displayed in EngSolutions RCB. Elements are drawn as they are designed in different colors, depending on the required amount of steel. Elements with insufficient cross section are marked in red. This way, the designer can clearly see which elements need to be resized. In addition, EngSolutions RCB computes for all the designed elements, the volume of concrete and weight of steel required, which allows making cost analyses for various structural solutions.
Analysis
EngSolutions RCB performs finite element analyses that provide solutions in terms of nodal displacements, elements internal forces, and moments. The program computes the rigid segments of members to account for their finite size and computes the buckling loads of columns. The user is allowed selecting 1) the order of the analysis ⎯linear versus P-delta analysis⎯ and 2) the analysis type ⎯a conventional one-step total gravity analysis versus an automated incremental step-wise gravity analysis.
EngSolutions RCB performs a Modes/Frequency Analysis that provides the solution for the free vibration response of the building in terms of its three-dimensional mode shapes and natural frequencies. Mode shapes, frequencies and modal participation factors are obtained using the Lançzos method with selective orthogonalization.
EngSolutions RCB allows three types of seismic analyses: static equivalent analysis, spectral analysis, and time-history analysis.
EngSolutions RCB provides interactive graphic display of analytical results including the static deformed shape of the building, bending moment diagram, shear force diagram, axial force diagram, torsion moment diagram, wall internal forces, wall stresses (resultants, mid-plane, front face, back face), support reactions, shear ratio stress, story drifts, and mode shapes.
Analysis results can be presented for any load case or for any load combination. The displayed results correspond to the load case or load combination currently active, which is always printed in the EngSolutions RCB main graphic window. The user may quickly change the active load case or load combination by clicking with the mouse its label.
