7.2.3.

2 Column Data Page 1 of 7

7.2.3.2 Column Data

Refer to 7.2.3 Frame Shape Screen Layout for discussion of the general principles of the RAPT
Frame Screen layout and to 4.5.1 General Screen Layout Principles for discussion on the general
layout features of windows in RAPT.

This screen is used to define the support types and details in RAPT.

The screen is set up with the support/column numbers down the left side and the data defining
each support across the page. Supports can be

1. Knife Edge
2. Fixed support
3. Rectangular or Circular Columns above and/or below

Graphic Interaction
Clicking the left mouse button within the half span either side of a support/column in the graphics
will automatically move the current row in the data to the row for that support/column. The section
views will show the cross-section shape either side of the selected point.

Select a row in the data and the section graphics will show the cross-sections through the column

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above (left window) and column below (right window).

Section Views
When the program focus is in the columns data view, the Section Graphics Windows will show the
cross-sections through the column above (left window) and column below (right window) if either
has been defined.

Ctrl + D, Ctrl + R
Refer to 4.4.4 Cell Repeating for a general discussion on repeating data automatically in other data
cells. A few specific applications of the key apply to this screen when a range of repeat data cells is
not selected. These are listed below

If the repeat key combination is pressed when the focus is in a blank cell (zero value) in

1. Column Length Above:- The values from Column Width Above will be copied into this data
column
2. Column Height Below:- The values from Column Height Above will be copied into this data
column
3. Column Width Below:- The values from Column Width Above will be copied into this data
column
4. Column Length Below:- The values from Column length Below will be copied into this data
column

These values will only be copied to columns that have a height.

Data Definition

Column Grid Reference

RAPT allows the designer to define the grid reference number of any support point to allow the
designer to match the grid numbers in RAPT to those on the drawings for the member/panel being
designed. This is a text field and the length of the text string is limited to 256 characters. RAPT will
only use the first 3 characters in the graphics and text output. The Column Grid Reference will
default to the column/support number e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 for a 4 span frame.

When spans are inserted, RAPT will match the new Column Grid Reference values created with the
existing values if there is a simple logical consecutive pattern for all of the support locations in a
frame. Otherwise, the column numbers of the inserted columns will be inserted as the default.

When spans are deleted, RAPT will match the new Column Grid Reference values with the existing
values if there is a simple logical consecutive pattern for all of the support locations in a frame.

Logical consecutive patterns are

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1. consecutive numbers - e.g 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

2. consecutive letter - e.g. D, E, F, G, H. When Z reached, the sequence will continue starting at
AA, AB etc.
3. consecutive letters - e.g. BD, BE, BF, BG, BH. When BZ reached, the sequence will continue
starting at CA, CB etc, or ABD, ABE, ABF, ABG, ABH. When ABZ reached, the sequence will
continue starting at ACA, ACB etc.

In input data screens where a reference column number is required to define a location, the
Column Grid Reference is used, not the column number. To input a new value, the Column Grid
reference must be typed in full or the column number can be used preceded by a # symbol e.g. #5
for column number 5. When the value is accepted, it will be converted to the Column Grid
Reference and this will be shown as the Reference Column. In the default case, 5 or #5 will both
represent the column grid reference for column 5.

Support Type
The type of support required at this support location. Types available are

1. Knife Edge - No moment restraint. Vertical restraint is always provided and horizontal
restraint is provided if Braced Column selected at this location.
2. Fixed Support - Full moment restraint provided at this column as well as vertical and
horizontal force restraint.
3. Column - The defined columns above and/or below provide the moment restraint. If all of the
column dimensions are defined as zero it will automatically be defined as a Knife Edge
support. Vertical restraint is always provided and horizontal restraint is provided if Braced
Column selected at this location.

Column Height Above

The height of the column from the top of slab datum level at the floor being analysed to the
centroid of the concrete section in the floor above (see diagram below). The floor above is assumed
to have the same concrete section as the floor being analysed.

Column Diameter Above

The diameter of the column if a circular column is to be defined above. To change to a rectangular
column, delete the circular column dimension.

Column Width Above

The width of a rectangular column above (c2 on diagram below). To change to a circular column,
delete the rectangular column dimensions.

Column Length Above

The length of a rectangular column above in the design direction (c1 on diagram below). To change
to a circular column, delete the rectangular column dimensions.

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Column Height below

The height of the column from the top of slab datum level at the floor being analysed to the
centroid of the concrete section in the floor below (see diagram below) if the column end is defined
as fixed or to the top of a footing if the column end is defined as pinned. The floor below is
assumed to have the same concrete section as the floor being analysed if the pinned end option is
selected.

Column Diameter Below

The diameter of the column if a circular column is to be defined below. To change to a rectangular
column, delete the circular column dimension.

Column Width below

The width of a rectangular column below (c2 on diagram below). To change to a circular column,
delete the rectangular column dimensions.

Column Length below

The length of a rectangular column below in the design direction (c1 on diagram below). To change
to a circular column, delete the rectangular column dimensions.

Transverse Column spacing

This is the average length of the transverse torsional member at each column which spans from
this column to the columns on either side and is used for the calculation of the column properties
(as distinct from the panel width which may vary from the transverse column spacing). RAPT
defaults this figure as described below.

1. The default figure is only input by RAPT to make input easier in cases where the panel width
is constant. If the panel width varies the user must change the default values to suit their
needs.
2. For an internal panel RAPT will automatically insert the average panel width dimension at
each column as the default. This will automatically cover the normal cases where the panel
width is constant. For an internal panel the transverse column spacing should equal the
average of the transverse column spacing on either side of a column.
3. For an external panel the transverse column spacing defaults to 2 x (Panel Width - External
Edge Distance). For an external panel the transverse column spacing should equal the
distance to the first internal column line.
4. If a one-way frame is being input then the transverse column spacing must be at least equal
to the one way width even if no columns are input.
5. For beams and two way slabs the whole column inertia is applied in the frame analysis. For
one-way slab structures the stiffness contribution of the column is proportioned to the ratio
of the one-way width being run to the transverse column spacing.

Capital Depth below deepest section

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RAPT allows the designer to define a column capital or head at the top of the column below. This is
defined as a depth below the deepest concrete soffit at either face of the column. The projection
horizontally (outstand) is assumed the same on all four sides of the column as the vertical
projection. This implies that the capital has a 45 degree taper and is of the same shape as the
column.

Pin Base below

The base of any column below the slab may be either fixed or pinned. RAPT input to the setting in
5.2 Design Standard->General. Columns above the slab are assumed to be fixed ended under all
circumstances.

Percentage Column Stiffness

RAPT calculates a stiffness for each column. Users can then further modify this by specifying a %
value of the calculated column stiffness. This portion of the column stiffness is applied to the frame
analysis. The range of values allowed is 0% to 999%. Care should be taken in modifying this value
especially for punching shear calculations. Redistribution of moments away form a column that is
failing in punching shear is not recommended.

Braced frame at this column

If the frame is braced at a column, RAPT will place horizontal pin supports (vertical rollers) at that
column line of the frame to prevent side sway. RAPT can not know from the general input if the
frame being designed is braced by other members in the building such as shear walls so the
designer must define this.

Column Shortening
RAPT gives the user the option to allow for the effects of Column shortening at each column. If
Column Shortening is to be restrained, RAPT place a vertical restraint at each selected column
beam node in the Frame Analysis. Thus no axial shortening can occur. The column shortening can,
at times, have a large effect on moment distribution especially if high loads and columns of varying
lengths or axial stiffness are input into a run. Where a concrete frame or the loading is not
symmetric, allowing column shortening is normally the more accurate solution.

Always be careful when mixing knife edge supports and columns at different support locations as
knife edge supports do not allow vertical movement while columns do. Knife-edge supports are
often defined to represent walls and transverse beam supports. It is often better to model these as
a column/wall but with zero stiffness to stop them from attracting moments but to still allow for the
support settlement.

Punching Shear Check required

RAPT will carry out punching shear calculations for all columns unless told not to here. There are
situations where punching shear calculations should be done for beam systems, especially band
beams, and there may also be situations where local beams may negate the need for punching
shear design in slab designs. These decisions are left to the designer by RAPT. The default setting
is always for punching shear calculations to be done at all columns. RAPT will check the column
shape in doing the calculations and, if the column width is greater than .8 times the panel width,
RAPT will assume a wall is present and ignore punching shear calculations in this case.

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Transverse effective depth difference

If a punching shear check has been requested, the designer may define punching shear properties
for the transverse direction. Normally the effective depth in the transverse direction will be slightly
different to allow reinforcement to pass over or under the reinforcement in this direction. At the
end columns in prestressed frames for internal panels, the transverse tendons will be much higher
in the slab than the longitudinal tendons thus requiring the input of an increased effective depth in
the transverse direction. Conversely, for prestressed external frames, the transverse tendons will
be much lower than the longitudinal tendons and a lower depth should be defined for them.

If a transverse effective depth difference is defined, RAPT will apply the longitudinal value
calculated from the reinforcement and tendons defined at a column to the front and back faces of
the punching perimeter and the transverse offset from this value to the side faces. An average
effective depth will be reported in the output as

d = perimeter area / perimeter length.

The effective depth difference may be

1. A positive value if the transverse effective depth is higher than the longitudinal effective
depth (transverse reinforcement is above)
2. A negative value if the transverse effective depth is lower than the longitudinal effective
depth (transverse reinforcement is below)

Transverse v'c
For BS8110, CP65, CP2004, IS456/IS1343 and SABS0100, the designer can define the concrete
punching shear capacity in the transverse direction for each column. If a value is defined here,
RAPT will apply the longitudinal value calculated from the reinforcement and tendons defined at a
column to the front and back faces of the punching perimeter and the transverse punching shear
value defined here to the side faces. Otherwise it will apply the calculated value for the frame being
designed to all faces of the punching shear perimeter.

Transverse prestress (P/A)

For AS3600, ACI318 and Eurocode 2, the designer can define the axial prestress in the transverse
direction for each column. If a value is defined here, RAPT will apply the longitudinal value
calculated from the reinforcement and tendons defined at a column to the front and back faces of
the punching perimeter and the transverse punching shear value defined here to the side faces.
Otherwise it will apply the calculated value for the frame being designed to all faces of the
punching shear perimeter.

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Send feedback to RAPT Software. Look here for RAPT Online resources.

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