STAAD RCDC

GETTING STARTED

INTRODUCTION

RCDC is a RCCDesigning , detailing, drawing and documentation software.

The following elements can be designed in RCDC
1. Pile-cap
2. Footings - Regular / Isolated & Eccentric
3. Columns,Pedestals & Shear walls
4. Beam
5. Slab

The salient features of RCDC are:

1. Import analysis data directly from popular analysis engines. The analysis engines supported
are
a. Staad Pro (*.std file),
b. E-tabs (*.mdb file),
c. E-tabs (*.edb file),

2. Design Code Included in RCDC are

a. Indian Standard - IS 456
b. British Standard - BS 8110-97
c. American Code - ACI 318-2011
d. Euro Code - EN 02-2004
e. Euro Code - EN 02-2004 MS NA
f. Euro Code - EN 02-2004 UK NA
g. Euro Code - EN 02-2004 SS NA

3. Following data is extracted by RCDC from the analysis file

a. Member and node geometry, can we re-frame the points a' & b' by point "A"
below?
b. Member section properties and orientation.
A. Entire model geometry including the section properties, other specifications
assigned to the model.
c. Load - Definations, Cases and Combination data,
d. MemberAnalysis forces for all basic load cases and load combinations ,

4. Post reading the data, the software’s in-built intelligence allows it to automatically detect
the following geometrical conditions:
a. Detection of all slabs (enclosed regions) in a plan, even though slabs not modeled,
b. Beam continuity and set of continuous beams at a level,
c. Vertical continuum of columns and walls,
d. Identification of all columns that will have a footing.
5. User can set all design parameters and design & detail all elements at the touch of a button

6. User can edit the detailing suggested and alter the specific design of any one member by
selecting the same

7. Post finalization of the design and detailing process the engineer can generate a number of
text and drawing reports
a. Drawing Outputs
i. Layout Drawings.
ii. Detailed drawings in the form of elevations and cross sections / GA drawing.
iii. TIn plan detailing for slabs and footings.
iv. Text schedules.
v. Fabrication Detailing - Bar Bending Schedule.

b. Text reports
i. Detailed design calculation reports
ii. Design summary
iii. Bill of Quantities (3 formats)
iv. Other element specific text reports.
DESIGN CODES
Design codes included in RCDC are as follows.

1. Indian Standard - IS 456

2. British Standard - BS 8110
3. American Code - ACI 318-2011
4. Euro Code - EN 02-2004
5. Euro Code - EN 02-2004 + MS NA
6. Euro Code - EN 02-2004 + UK NA
7. Euro Code - EN 02-2004 + SS NA
LINKIN WITH STAAD PRO
RCDC can link to and directly import all data from an analysis model analyzed in STAAD Pro.

1. RCDC links directly to *.std file, user has to just select this file.
2. Linking to STAAD Pro is managed by means of the ‘Open Staad’ functionality provided by
STAAD.
3. Complementary versions of ‘Open Staad’ are part of the STAAD Pro installation.
4. No other settings need to be made in STAAD Pro for the analysis file to be compatible with
RCDC .

FILE TYPES
When a RCDC file is open and run, 3 types of files are generated viz a viz:

1. *.rcbu file - This is the back-up file of RCDC

2. *.rcps file - This is the Project settings file which when exported to another related RCDC
file can export the made project settings in fresh RCDC file where this is
imported. (Refer below snap shot for reference of rcps extension file)

IMPORT/EXPORT PROJECT SETTINGS

3. *.rcdx file - Complete RCDC file.

All files created and saved in RCDC, will have the extension *.rcdx

User can open the file by directly clicking on it.

Whenever a RCDC Project File (rcdx) file is saved, a file of project settings (.rcps file) is
generated by default and is saved at the same location as that of RCDC file. This file contains
the project settings that are made in RCDC file. This setting file can then be imported to another
related RCDC file and this will simply import the project settings.
 Project Settings: To import Project Settings the selected project should be of the same design
element

(1) Footing: Imports General Settings and Reinforcement settings.

(2) Column: Imports General Settings and Reinforcement settings.

(3) Beam: Imports General Settings and Reinforcement settings.

(4) Slab: Import Design parameter.

(5) Pile-cap: Imports General Settings and Reinforcement settings.

 Drawing Styles: To import Drawing Style the selected project should be of the same
design element.
 Load Combination: The option is available to all design element except slab.

 Grid Lines: To import grid lines the selected project should be of the same analysis file.

UPDATE ANALYSIS FILE

 RCDC allows user to change the dimensions of any member and re-design. These
changes are listed in the "Member Properties Changed" report.
 The *.std for STAAD Pro and the *.$et or *.e2k file will be updated by RCDC.
 User can select the analysis file to be updated and RCDC will create the updated file with
a revision number appended to the name of the file.
MEMBER NUMBER PORTABILITY

User can import data from rcdx file into its corresponding rcdx file. This option is accessible after
creating a new project or opening an existing project in Predesign Mode Only.

The feature will Import only specific Information as required.

 In Footing
Import Column Size and Colum Mark.
 In Beam
Import Column Size and Column Mark.
 In Slab
Import Beam Size and Mark.
Import Column Size and Mark.

GRIDLINES

 To View/Create GridLines
User Can:
1. Add new grids
2. Edit Label of grid
3. Edit Location of grid
4. Show/Hide a grid

REBAR MARK MANAGER

The narration of the rebar mark in drawings can be controlled by using the Rebar Mark
Manager.
This functionality can be accessed from:
1. Detailing and Drawings Settings for Beams and columns
2. Detailed Drawing option in Footings and Pile Caps
3. Design Settings in Slabs

Any prefix to the rebar will also be reflected in the design output tables and the design
calculations. Eg. If instead of the default T20, a different prefix Y20 or #20 is used, this will be
visible in the outputs and the reports.
Using this functionality the narration of each reinforcement of each type viz. longitudinal,
transverse and face (edge) reinforcement can be defined.
A number of preset styles are provided for quick access. Any number of new styles can be
created by the user. The styles created will be saved with the RCDC file and the configuration
(*.rcps) file facilitating the use of these styles in other files.
Eg. Beam Shear reinforcement

There are three preset styles that are provided as below

User can now input a different grade of material for either steel or concrete which is not
included in the standard list.
The procedure to add this is explained below:

Material List:- Add This option allows user to manually input the grade of concrete &
reinforcement as per requirement.
Table [as per snap shot below] will be popped up for further input.
Use material property The material properties used for maximum number of members will
from analysis be displayed in RCDC.
Within RCDC user will have the option to override the material
properties read from the analysis file.

However, it should be noted that the material stresses / other physical properties of the grade
that is input by the user will be considered as per one of the lower grade than the input grade.

REBAR DIAMETER & REBAR NUMBER SYSTEM

This is an enhancement to an existing available list of rebar diameters / mark in different codes.
With this feature user can change from rebar diameter system to rebar number system. The
changes can be done by using switch option available on right click in the Reinforcement setting
form.
LOAD & LOAD COMBINATION
READING LOAD DATA
Sometimes primary load cases (viz. dead, live) are split into multiple basic load cases in analysis
file for convenience. If it is desired, primary load cases can be defined as summations of one or
many analysis load cases (as shown below).

Use the + button to create a primary load case that is a summation of multiple load selected
analysis load cases.

Use the DL+ button to create a primary dead load case that is the summation of all the dead
load cases in analysis.

Use the LL+ button to create a primary live load case that is the summation of all the live load
cases in analysis.

BASIC LOAD TYPES

RCDC classifies basic load cases into the following categories or load types:

1. Dead Load
2. Live Load
3. Reducible Live Load
4. Earthquake X
5. Earthquake Y
6. Earthquake Z
7. Wind X
8. Wind Z
9. Accidental
10. Temperature
11. Snow
12. Others
 All the basic load cases from analysis need to be categorized into one of the above
groups.

Primary load cases for design are defined by selecting the load cases from analysis.

Some of the Analysis load cases can be omitted if is not intended to use these to create
combinations for design.

Reducible live load in case of columns in multi story buildings, can / shall be applied On similar
basis, different load combinations should be defined for reducible live load case which will be
then used for columns which qualifies under the said category as per code..
PRIMARY LOAD CASES
Sometimes primary load cases (viz. dead, live) are split into multiple basic load cases in analysis
file for convenience. If it is desired, primary load cases can be defined as summations of one or
many analysis load cases (as shown below).

Use the + button to create a primary load case that is a summation of multiple load selected
analysis load cases.

Use the DL+ button to create a primary dead load case that is the summation of all the dead
load cases in analysis.

Use the LL+ button to create a primary live load case that is the summation of all the live load
cases in analysis.
MULTIPLE PRIMARY LOAD CASES

There can be multiple primary load cases of a given load type. This will translate into them
being used in combinations exclusive of each other.

LOAD COMBINATIONS

Load combinations for design can be defined by two methods

1. Importing the combinations from analysis file.

2. Defining the combinations in RCDC.

LOAD COMBINATION FROM ANALYSIS

Load combinations as defined in the analysis file can be imported by selecting “Add from
Analysis” option as shown below.
LOAD COMBINATION FROM RCDC LIBRARY

PAIRING LOAD CASES FOR CROSS COMBINATION

Cross combinations, involving lateral loads in both directions, can be defined for irregular
buildings.

In case there are more than one primary load cases of a given type user can define the pairs of
primary cases to create the cross combinations.

Eq.
EQX case EQX1 and SpectrumX
 EQY case EQY1 and SpectrumY
Cross combinations need to be created for only the following pairs of load cases
1. EQX1 and EQY1 –
eg. DL + LL + EQX1 + 0.3 EQY1
2. SpectrumX and SpectrumY –
eg. DL + LL + SpectrumX + 0.3 SpectrumY
Other combinations such as EQX1 &SpectrumY or SpectrumX& EQY1 are not required to
be generated.
In RCDC EQX1 & EQY1 and SpectrumX&SpectrumY can be paired to create cross combinations
only among themselves.
The feature is activated only when load combinations for irregular building are added from the
template

EXPORTING AND IMPORTING LOAD COMBINATION

The definitions and associations of the primary load cases and the load combinations used for
design can be reused in other files for the same analysis.
Exporting Load Definitions
Primary load case definitions and selected load combinations can be exported to an external
“RCDC Load Information File (*.ldsx)”. The export option is available in the “Load
Combinations” window.