gear2003 part a

Asian Center for Engineering Computations and Software. AIT, Bangkok, Thailand

Version May 2003

ACECOMS GEAR

General Engineering Assistant and Reference

GENERAL TOOLS And

GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES

USER’S MANUAL AND TECHNICAL REFERENCE

Copyright ACECOMS, AIT, 2003. The GEAR Logo is a trademark of ACECOMS, AIT.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of AutoDesk Inc.

COPYRIGHT The computer program ACECOMS GEAR and all associated documentation are proprietary and copyrighted products. Worldwide rights of ownership rest with ACECOMS, AIT. Unlicensed use of the program or reproduction of the documentation in any form, without prior written authorization from ACECOMS, AIT., is explicitly prohibited. Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:

ACECOMS, AIT, PO Box 4, Klong Luang

Pathumthani, 12120 Thailand.

Tel: (662) 524-5539 Fax: (662) 524-6059

E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.acecoms.ait.ac.th

DISCLAIMER CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AND DOCUMENTATION OF ACECOMS GEAR. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY TESTED. IN USING THE PROGRAM, HOWEVER, THE USER ACCEPTS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT NO WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THE DEVELOPERS OR THE DISTRIBUTORS ON THE ACCURACY OR THE RELIABILITY OF THE PROGRAM. THE USER MUST EXPLICITLY UNDERSTAND THE ASSUMPTIONS OF THE PROGRAM AND MUST INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE RESULTS.

Contents

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR 1-1 What is ACECOMS GEAR 1-1

General Tools 1-1 Geometric Properties 1-2 RC Utilities 1-3 RC Members 1-4 Steel Members 1-5 Foundations 1-6

How to Install GEAR? 1-7 Changing Authorization Level 1-12 Quitting the Program 1-14 Obtaining More Information and Technical Support1-14

ACECOMS GEAR

ii

General Tools 1-1 Unit Converter 1-1

Using the Unit Converter 1-1 Basic Operations 1-4 Converting Units 1-6

Engineering Constants 1-7 Using the Engineering Constant Program 1-7 Basic Operations 1-10 Obtaining Engineering Constants 1-12

Dead Load Reference 1-13 Using the Dead Load Reference Program 1-13 Basic Operations 1-15 Obtaining Dead Loads 1-17

Factored Load 1-18 Using the Factored Load Program 1-19 Basic Operations 1-21 Obtaining Factored Loads 1-26

Load Combinations 1-28 Using the Load Combinations Program 1-28 Basic Operations 1-31 Calculating Load Combinations 1-36

Geometric Properties 2-1 Initial Setup 2-1 Triangle Solver 2-1

Using the Triangle Solver 2-1 Solving Triangles 2-4

Circle Solver 2-7

Contents

iii

Using the Circle Solver 2-7 Solving Circles 2-10

Polygon Solver 2-13 Using the Polygon Solver 2-13 Solving Polygons 2-16

Property Calculator 2-19 Using the Property Calculator 2-19 Obtaining Properties 1-22

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

1


What is ACECOMS GEAR ACECOMS GEAR is a software developed at the School of Civil Engineering at the Asian Institute of Technology. The software provides various tools of design, analysis and general assistance for structural engineers. GEAR stands for General Engineering Assistance and Reference. The software consists of a variety of modules ranging from basic unit converters to comprehensive designer modules for individual members. These modules have been logically grouped into six categories. This manual describes in detail the Geometric Properties modules of the software. A brief description of all the modules is pro-vided in this chapter.

General Tools

Tools grouped under this category are the Unit Converter, Engineering Constants, Dead Load Reference, Factored Loads and Load Combinations. A brief introduction of these modules is provided next.

Unit Converter

Unit Converter is a simple but comprehensive program that can be used for converting values from one unit to another, irrespective of their unit systems.


What is ACECOMS GEAR 1 -2

Engineering Constants

Engineering Constants is a program for easy reference to common engineering constants such as density, viscosity, energy, discharge, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, power, temperature, water quality, modulus of elasticity, coefficient of expansion, specific gravity, thermal expan-sion, thermal conductivity and Poisson’s ratio.

Dead Load Reference

Dead Load Reference is a program for easy reference to the dead loads of common materials such as masonry, par-tition, roofing, false ceiling, flooring, metals and concrete.

Factored Loads

This tool readily computes the factored loads combina-tions from basic load cases in accordance with the ACI-318-95 and AASHTO design codes.

Load Combinations

This module is used for the detailed calculations of load combinations. Standard and user defined load combina-tions may be calculated.

Geometric Properties

Programs related to the determination of basic geometric properties of various shapes and cross-sections have been grouped into this category. These include the Triangle Solver, Circle Solver, Polygon Solver, and the Property Calculator.



Triangle Solver

Any general triangle can be solved using this module. Tri-angle dimensions, angles and properties can be computed.

Circle Solver

Properties of solid and hollow circles (full, semi and quar-ter) and part of circles such as segment, arc, sector, etc. can be calculated using this program.

Polygon Solver

This module solves regular polygons, both solid and hol-low. The polygons may have any number of sides between 3 and 12.

Property Calculator

Basic properties of various cross-sections can be com-puted using this module. The properties are reported about the centroid or any other user-specified location.

RC Utilities

Modules that help in the design and analysis of RC beams and columns have been grouped here. These include the Rebar Calculator, K-Factor Calculator and the Moment Magnifier.

Rebar Calculator

This is a useful tool for calculating the required sizes, bar spacing and bar combinations for standard and user-specified reinforcing steel bars.



K−Factor Calculator

This module is meant for calculating the effective length factor for columns. It can handle columns of various end restrained conditions.

Moment Magnifier

This module helps in calculating the magnified moments for columns to account for slenderness effects.

RC Members

Modules related to the design of RC members are grouped into this category. These include Beam Designer, Column Designer, Two-Way Slab designer and Flat Slab Designer.

Beam Designer

This simple, yet comprehensive tool can be used for the design of reinforced concrete cross-sections subjected to bending moment, shear force and torsion. The program carries out a detailed calculation for computing the re-quired reinforcement and for back computing the capacity of a given section.

Column Designer

This is a simple, yet comprehensive tool for the design of reinforced concrete cross-sections subjected to axial load and moment about two axes. The program carries out a detailed calculation for computing the required reinforce-ment and for back computing the capacity of a given sec-tion.



Two−Way Slab Designer

This module carries out a complete analysis and design of two-way slabs using the coefficient method.

Flat Slab Designer

This module carries out the complete analysis and design of flat slab, flat plate and beam slab structures using the equivalent frame method. The program can handle slabs with beams, drop panels, column capitals, and other types of support.

Steel Members

Modules related to the design and analysis of steel struc-tural members such as struts, beams and columns are grouped here.

Strut Designer

This module designs steel members subjected to axial load only. It recommends a cross-section for a given load. In addition to design, it can also analyze a given cross-section to check if it is sufficient for a given loading. In such a case it calculates the cross-section properties, effec-tive length factor and slenderness ratio. The module checks the allowable stresses by calculating the Combined Code Stress Ratio. It also checks the adequacy of slender-ness by checking the slenderness ratio.

Steel Beam Designer

This module designs steel members subjected to flexure only. It recommends a cross-section for a given flexural load. It takes into account the unbraced length to check lateral deflection. The module recommends a cross-



section by calculating the coefficient of bending. In addi-tion to design, this module also analyzes a given cross-section for a given flexural load. It calculates section properties and slenderness ratio and checks the adequacy of the section.

Steel Column Designer

This module designs steel members subjected to both axial and flexural loads. It calculates the effective length factor as well as the coefficient of bending and subsequently recommends an adequate cross-section. It checks for the Combined Code Stress Ratio. In addition to design, this module also analyzes a steel column cross-section for a given combination of loading. It calculates cross-section properties, effective length factor, slenderness ratio, bend-ing coefficient and column coefficient. It checks the ade-quacy of the cross-section by checking for the Combined Code Stress Ratio and Slenderness Ratio.

Foundations

The modules related to the design and analyses of founda-tions have been grouped under this category. These in-cluded the Iso-Footing Designer, Combo-Footing De-signer, Pile Cap Designer, and Driven Pile Designer.

Iso−Footing Designer

This module performs comprehensive design and analysis of reinforced concrete isolated footings. The detailing of the footing is also performed.


How to Install GEAR 1 -7

Combo−Footing Designer

This module performs comprehensive design and analysis of reinforced concrete combined footings. The detailing of the footing is also performed.

Pile Cap Designer

This module assists in the design of pile caps by using the beam design approach. Pile caps can be designed for vari-ous pile arrangements and numbers.

Driven Pile Designer

This module calculates the capacity of a driven pile based on blow count using any of the 11 different methods. The program prepares professional reports containing the data and procedures followed. It can also compute the required number of blow counts for a specified capacity. Several standard pile types and hammer types are supported.

How to Install GEAR Thank you for selecting ACECOMS GEAR to assist you in your professional work. Please follow the steps below to install the program for the first time. If you have any problems, please contact ACECOMS.

Use Windows Explorer or My Computer to locate the folder in which you have saved the GEAR download file.

Note: If you are installing from an ACECOMS CD ROM, please go to step 4.



Step 1: Double -click My Computer on your desktop

Double-click the download file to extract it and then spec-ify the folder to which to save the extracted files. Locate the “setup.exe” (setup application) and double-click to start the setup process

Step 2: Double-click on the folder in which you saved the download file



Step 3: Specify the folder to which to extract the file and then click “Unzip”.

Step 4: Go to the folder in which the extracted files have been saved and double-click on GEAR folders. If you are installing from an ACE-COMS CD ROM, double-click on the CD ROM drive to display the above screen.



Step 5: Double-click on Setup.exe or Setup (the view may differ from computer to computer).

Step 6: Press OK to continue with the setup or Exit Setup to cancel the setup.



Step 7: Press the installation button as shown here. Also note the direc-tory to which the software will be installed. If you want to install to an-other location (say D:\…, etc.), click Change Directory and specify the desired path.

Step 8: Press Continue to complete this step.


Changing Authorization Level 1 -12

Step 9: The Setup Status dialogue will display the setup progress.

Step 10: The setup has been completed successfully.

All the modules available in GEAR will be installed. However, only those that have been purchased will be in "FULL" Authorization mode. All others will be in "DEMO" mode. To upgrade from Demo to Full version please see "How to change the Authorization Level" sec-tion of the help file.

Changing Authorization Level All ACECOMS GEAR modules are available in Demo or Full versions. You can upgrade from Demo version to Full version by using the following procedure:


Changing Authorization Level 1 -13

1. Get a New Authorization Code from ACECOMS to upgrade the user level (Demo Version to Full Version).

2. Start the program.

3. Click on the Change Authorization command from the File menu. This will open a dialogue box as shown below:

4. Enter the User ID. (User ID number can be ob-tained from the About the Module dialogue box from the Help menu or from the order form).

5. Enter the New Authorization Code (in capital let-ters) exactly as it appears on the instruction given by ACECOMS and press the Apply button.

If you have entered the correct Authorization Code and User ID, then the user level in the Current Au-thorization Level box will be changed and you will get the message “The authorization level has been up-graded, now press OK to Exit”. Otherwise, you will get a message “Invalid Authorization, please try again OR cancel” at the bottom of the dialogue box.


Quitting the Program 1 -14

6. Click on the OK button if you get the first mes-sage. If authorization is successful the program will im-mediately change to the full version without the need to restart.

Quitting the Program Click on the X icon provided on the top right corner of the program screen or,

Select the Exit command from the File menu.

Obtaining More Information and Technical Support

If you have questions about the ACECOMS GEAR or In-dividual programs’ features and functions, first look in the Help files. If you can not find the answer in the location, please contact ACECOMS.

Mailing Address ACECOMS, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), P.O. Box 4, Klongluang, Pathumthani 12120, THAILAND Ph: (662) 524-5539, 524-5533 Fax: (662) 524-6059, 516-2126

We also offer services through Internet. Demo versions of these programs can be downloaded from our site. Our ad-dresses are as follows:


Obtaining More Information and Technical Support 1 -15

E-mail [email protected]

WEB site http://www.acecoms.ait.ac.th

Chapter 1

General Tools

1 - 1

Chapter 1 General Tools

Unit Converter The Unit Converter is a simple but comprehensive program that can be used for converting values from one unit to an-other irrespective of their unit systems.

Using the Unit Converter

Menu and Toolbar System The Unit Converter has only one screen for operation. Whenever the Unit Converter program is activated, the fol-lowing menu options are available on the form.

File The menu commands under File let you open and print the results.

New: Choose this command to start a new problem.

Save Result List: To save currently displayed results se-lect this command.

Print: This menu command allows you to print the result list to the default printer.

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Unit Converter 1-2

Change Authorization: This menu command allows you to modify the user authorization level.

Edit The Edit menu provides commands for copying and cut-ting selected text or results.

Copy: Selected information may be copied to the clip-board and then be pasted into other applications.

Cut: In addition to copying selected information, this de-letes that information from the screen.

Options This menu allows you to set some general parameters for the program.

View: This menu provides the options of viewing either the Full Form or only the Half Form. The Results View Area is not displayed if you select the Half Form option.

Number Format: Use this menu to specify the number format as either Decimal or Scientific.

Help This menu has all the commands related to help for the program.

Help Topics: Use this command to get a list of Help Topics.

Contacting ACECOMS: Use this command to contact ACECOMS for technical reference and learn about the ACECOMS activities.

About the Program: This menu command opens up a dialogue box that contains Copyright information and in-

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Unit Converter 1 -3

formation about the End User License Agreement with a User ID Number for the Unit Converter program.

Apart from the menu system a toolbar is available within the program’s main window for simple operations. Instead of opening menus and choosing commands you can click these buttons. The toolbar options are described below:

Starts a new problem.

Saves the currently displayed Result List.

Prints the currently displayed Result List to the default printer

Cuts the selected graphic or text and places it on the Clipboard.

Copies the selected graphic or text to the Clip-board.

Displays the full form. You can view the Result View Area.

Displays half form. You cannot view the Result View Area.

Displays numbers in decimal format.

Displays numbers in scientific format.

Activates the Help file.

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Unit Converter 1-4

Basic Operations

How to Add Results to the Re-sults List

• Once the conversion is complete, click on the button to open up the other half form.

• Click on the Add button. Now the results will be added to the Results List. You can select text from this area to copy and cut.

• Click on the Clear button to remove all added results from the list.

Copy Selected Results (CTRL +C) You can copy/cut text created in ACECOMS GEAR applica-tions and in other applications.

• Select the item to be copied

• Choose the Copy command from the Edit menu, OR

press Ctrl+C OR, click on the button from the Tool Bar.

• Go to the new location in the other application to which you want to paste the item just copied and then use paste, OR Ctrl+V or other functions pro-vided by the application.

To Cut Selected Item (Ctrl+X) • Select the item to cut.

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Unit Converter 1 -5

• Choose the Cut command from the Edit menu. Al-

ternatively, click on the button from the tool-bar. Now the information will be placed in the clip-board and can then be pasted into another file.

• Go to the new location in the other application and paste it.

How to save the results for fu-ture use

• Once the results have been obtained, from the File menu choose the Save command OR click on the Save button from the toolbar.

• In the File Name box, type a file name.

• Under Save In, open the folder to which you want to save the file.

• Click the Save button.

NOTE: The results are saved in a standard Text (ASCII) file and can be opened in any application supporting this format, including most document editors. The figures are not saved in the file. You may use the Cut/Copy functions in the program to transfer the graphics/figure to other documents or applications (such as Paint Brush) and then combine them together as a single document.

How to Print the Results • From the File menu, choose Print. Alternatively,

click on the button from the toolbar.

NOTE: The above option will print the information to the default printer. If you want to print to another printer set that printer as the default by using Printers Option from the Settings menu in Win95 and then print.

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Unit Converter 1-6

Converting Units

Follow the procedure below to convert units using ACE-COMS GEAR.

• Start the Unit Converter.

• Choose New from the File menu OR click on the

button to start a new problem.

• Choose the quantity to be converted from the Quan-tity to Convert list box. This will display all the available units in the From and To list boxes.

• Select units from the From and To list boxes for conversion.

• Specify the Number Format as either Decimal or Scientific by using the View command from the Op-tion menu OR clicking on the appropriate buttons provided on the toolbar. You cannot change the Number Format for a result set that has already been added to the Result List Box. Make the change be-fore adding the result to the Results List Box.

• Enter the value to convert in the From text box pro-vided at the bottom of the screen. Once entered, the converted value will be displayed in the To text box.

• Open the Full Form by clicking on the button and add the results to the Results List box for future use. You can add any number of result sets to the Results List box. Use the Clear button to remove re-sult sets from the Result List box.

• Print the current results display using the but-ton or the Print command from the File menu.

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Engineering Constants 1 -7

• You can also Cut or Copy the results list to use in documents in different applications.

• Use the Save Result List command from the File menu to Save the results.

• Once the conversion is complete, quit the program by clicking on the Close button or selecting Exit from the File menu.

Engineering Constants The Engineering Constants is a program for easy reference to common engineering constants such as density, viscosity, energy, discharge, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, power, temperature, water quality, modulus of elasticity, co efficient of expansion, specific gravity, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and Poisson’s ratio.

Using the Engineering Constant Program

The Engineering Constants program has only one screen for operation. Whenever the Engineering Constants program is activated, the following menu options are available on the form.

Menu and Toolbar System

File The menu commands under File let you start and print the results.



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Engineering Constants 1-8



Exit: Use this menu command to exit the module.


Copy: Selected information may be copied to the clip-board to be pasted into other applications.


Options This menu allows you to set the view of the program.

Working Units: Use this menu option to select the work-ing units as SI, Metric or US.

View: This menu provides the option of viewing either the Full Form or only the Half Form.



Contacting ACECOMS: Use this command to contact ACECOMS for technical reference and learn about ACECOMS activities.

General Tools


About the Program: This menu command opens up a dialogue box that contains Copyright information and in-formation about the End User License Agreement with a User ID Number for the Engineering Constants program.




Prints the currently displayed Result List to the default printer.





Sets the working units to Metric System.

Sets the working units to US System.

Sets the working units to SI System.


General Tools


Basic Operations





Copy Selected Results (CTRL +C) You can copy/cut text created in ACECOMS GEAR and other applications.

• Select the item to be copied.

• Select the Copy command from the Edit menu, OR

press Ctrl+C OR, click on the button from the Toolbar.

• Go to the new location in the other application where you want to paste the item just copied and then use paste, OR Ctrl+V or other functions pro-vided by the application.


General Tools














General Tools


Obtaining Engineering Constants

• Start the program.

• Set the working units to the desired system.



• Choose the Engineering Constant required. This will display the constant in the selected units.

• Open the Full Form by clicking on the button and add the results to the Results List box for future use. You can add any number of constant sets to the Results List box. Use the Clear button to remove constant sets from the Results List box.

• Print the current results display using the but-ton or the Print command from the File menu.

• You can also Cut or Copy the results list for use in other applications.


• Once the selection of constants is complete, quit the program by clicking on the Close button or the Exit command from the File menu.

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Dead Load Reference 1 -13

Dead Load Reference The Dead Load Reference is a program for easy reference to the dead loads of common materials such as masonry, parti-tion, roofing, false ceiling, flooring, metals and concrete.

Using the Dead Load Reference Program

The Dead Load Reference program has only one screen for operation. Whenever the Dead Load program is activated, the following menu options are available on the form.







Exit: Use this menu command to exit the program.


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Dead Load Reference 1-14



Options This menu allows you to set the view of the program.

Working Units: This menu provides the options of changing the unit systems. There are three unit systems available: Metric, US and SI units.

View: This menu provides the option of viewing either the Full Form or only the Half Form.




About the Program: This menu command opens up a dialogue box that contains the Copyright information and information about the End User License Agreement with a User ID Number for the Dead Load Reference program.


General Tools



Saves the currently displayed Results List.

Prints the currently displayed Results List to the default printer.





Sets the working units to the Metric System.

Sets the working units to the US System.

Sets the working units to the SI System.


Basic Operations



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Dead Load Reference 1-16












General Tools











Obtaining Dead Loads




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Factored Load 1-18

• Choose the material for which the dead loads are re-quired. This will display the dead loads for that par-ticular material.

• Set the unit system using the Units command in the Options menu OR using the appropriate buttons pro-vided in the toolbar. Three unit systems are avail-able: Metric, US and SI. You cannot change the units for a result set that has already been added to the Results List box. Make the change before you add the result to the Results List box.

• Open the full form by clicking on the button and Add the results to the Result List box for future use. You can add any number of dead load sets to the Results List box. Use the Clear button to remove dead load sets from the Results List box.

• Print the current results display using the but-ton or the Print command in the File menu.

• You can also Cut or Copy the results list for use in other applications.


• Once the constants have been selected, quit the pro-gram by clicking on the Close button or the Exit command from the File menu.

Factored Load This tool readily computes the factored loads combinations from basic load cases in accordance with the ACI-318-95 and AASHTO design codes.

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Factored Load 1 -19

Using the Factored Load Program

The Factored Load Reference program has only one screen and a simple menu system for operation. Whenever the Fac-tored Load Reference program is activated, the following menu options are available on the form.



New Loads: Choose this command to start a new prob-lem.

Save Current Results: To save currently displayed re-sults select this command.

Print Current Results: This menu command allows you to print the result list to the default printer.






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Factored Load 1-20

Report The menu commands under Report let you prepare, for-mat, preview and print the results.

Project Information: Select this command to provide basic project information such as Project Name, Client, Job Title, Engineer and Organization.

Report Item Content: Choose this command to select the content of the report from various options listed.

Report Format: Report layout, text styles and contents of the report can be specified using this command.

Print: This menu command prints the results that have been added to the report.

Preview: Use this menu command to preview the for-matted report before printing it. Note that in preview mode, figures are shown as rectangle, however, at print time actual figures are included.

Save Report Content: Choose this command to save the report as simple text for future use.




About the Program: This menu command opens up a dialogue box that contains the Copyright information and information about the End User License Agreement

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Factored Load 1 -21

with a User ID Number for the Dead Load Reference program.





Cuts the selected graphic or text and places it on the Clipboard

Copies the selected graphic or text to the Clip-board


Basic Operations

Preparing a Report Use the Report menu to create a comprehensive, formatted report of selected data and results. The Report menu lets you specify the project information, contents of the report, target printer, paper size, margins, character formats and header and footers, preview the report and also save the report.

The Project Information dialogue box helps you to specify the basic information about the project including name of the engineer involved in the design, Project Name, Title, Or-ganization, etc. The information given here is applicable for

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Factored Load 1-22

all items in a particular module; however, the user can check the contents of the items before clicking on the Add to Re-port button. You may use the Remove button to delete the most recently added item. The Remove button become inac-tive until you add the next item to the report.

Use the Report Items Content to select the items and the con-tent of each to be included in the report. You can select the contents of the items by checking them. For example, you can include only the Calculation Procedure and the Final Re-sults for one item and some other contents such as Detailed Calculation and the Final Results for another Item. However, you have the option of removing some of the contents or items from the report by using the Report format dialog box or while previewing the report.

The Report Format dialogue box helps you to produce a fully customizable and formatted report using style defini-tions, font selection, margins, footer/header, page layout, etc. You can also view the items and contents that have been added to the report and remove any unwanted items.

Apart from the above-mentioned options, the Report menu also has options for Printing, Previewing and Saving func-tions. These functions are discussed in detail in the following paragraphs.

How to Prepare the Report Use the Report menu to create a comprehensive, formatted report of selected data and results. Follow the steps given be-low:

• Choose the Project Information command from the Report Menu.

• Enter the data required in the Project Information Dialogue Box such as Project, Title, Organization and the name of the Engineer. Press OK.

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Factored Load 1 -23

• Choose the Report Item Contents command from the Report menu and check the contents of the items to be included in the report. After the selection is com-plete press OK.

• Click on the Report Format command from the Re-port menu to format the report.

• After the formatting is complete you can preview the formatted report, print it or save it for future use.

• Buttons are available to access Report Format, Pre-view and Print in the Report Frame section. You can also access Print and Report Format from the Pre-view Form.

How to Add Results to the Report • Once you complete the computation, click on the

Add button.

• Now the results will be added to the Report. Two sets of results will be printed on one page.

• Click on the Clear button to remove result sets from the report.

• Click on the Print button to print the contents that have been added.

Previewing a Report After adding the required results to the report you can start printing the report. GEAR however, provides you with the option of previewing the report before it is actually printed. Using this feature you can make sure that the report contains everything you need.

Several buttons are provided on this preview window. Use these buttons to move up and down in the report or to view it

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Factored Load 1-24

with different magnification. You may also print the report by pressing the Print button provided in this window. The following is the list of available buttons and their functions:

Display the first page of the report.

Display the previous page in the report.

Display the next page in the report.

Display the last page of the report.

Increase the magnification of the currently dis-played page.

Reduce the magnification of the currently dis-played page.

Close the preview window and return to the main window.

To preview a Report do the following:

• Click on the Preview button or go to the Report menu and select Preview Report.

• The Print Preview window will be shown. You can use the above given buttons to move around in the report or change the magnification of the preview.

• Click the Print button to get a hard copy of the report.

• Click Close to return to the main window.

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Factored Load 1 -25













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Factored Load 1-26







Obtaining Factored Loads




• Select the code: ACI or AASHTO.

• For ACI code enter the data for the unfactored loads in the appropriate text boxes (Dead Load (D), Live load (L), Wind Load (W), etc.).

• For AASHTO code enter the data for the unfactored loads in the appropriate text boxes: Dead Load (D),

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Factored Load 1 -27

Centrifugal Force (CF), Earth Pressure (E), Buoy-ancy (B), Stream Flow Pressure (SF), Wind Load (W), Wind Load on Live Load (WL), Rib shortening R, Shrinkage (S), Temperature (T), Earthquake (EQ), Ice Pressure (ICE), etc.

• Press the Compute button to get the Factored Load combinations in the Results Box.

• The extreme combinations will be displayed in the text boxes available beneath the data entry section.

• Now click the Add button to include the results in the report. Every time you add a set of results, a message will appear in the status bar indicating the number of cross-section result sets that have been added to the report so far.

• Print the current results display using the but-ton OR using the Print option from the Report menu.

• To print a report select the Print Report option from the Report menu OR click on the Print button pro-vided in the Print Report section. You can also pre-view the contents of a report by pressing the Preview button.

• You can also Cut or Copy the results list to paste to documents in other applications.

• Use the Save Report option from the Report menu OR the Save button from the toolbar to Save the re-port.

• Once the computation is complete, quit the program by clicking on the Close button or choosing Exit from the File menu OR press on the Reset button to start a new problem.

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Load Combinations 1-28

Load Combinations This is a tool for comprehensive calculation of load combi-nations. It considers nearly all possible load combinations for the ACI, BS and ASSHTO codes.

Using the Load Combination Pro-gram

The Load Combination Calculator program has only one screen and a simple menu system for operation. Whenever the Load Combination Calculator program is activated, the following menu options are available on the form.









General Tools

Load Combinations 1 -29


Tools This menu allows you to set some general parame-ters for the program. Before calculating the load combinations the following selections have to be completed.

Select Combination Tables: Use this menu to set the combination tables to ACI-318-95, BS 8110, AASHTO-SLD or AASHTO-LFD.

Options: Using this menu the levels of load cases and load combinations can be selected. There are three levels available: Primary, Pattern and Secon-dary.



Report Item Content: Choose this command to select the content of the report from the various options listed.



Preview: Use this menu command to preview the for-matted report before printing it. Note that in preview

General Tools


mode, figures are shown as rectangle, however, at print time actual figures are included.





About the Program: This menu command opens up a dialogue box that contains the Copyright information and information about the End User License Agreement with a User ID Number for the Load Combination pro-gram.



Opens a currently saved file.

Saves the currently displayed Results List.

Prints the currently displayed Results List to the default printer.

General Tools





Basic Operations

Preparing a Report Use the Report menu to create a comprehensive, formatted report of selected data and results. The Report menu lets you specify the project information, contents of the report, target printer, paper size, margins, character formats and header and footers, preview the report and also save the report.

The Project Information dialogue box helps you to specify the basic information about the project including name of the engineer involved in the design, Project Name, Title, Or-ganization, etc. The information given here is applicable for all items in a particular module; however, the user can check the contents of the items before clicking on the Add to Re-port button. You may use the Remove button to delete the most recently added item. The Remove button become inac-tive until you add the next item to the report.

Use the Report Items Content to select the items and the con-tent of each to be included in the report. You can select the contents of the items by checking them. For example, you can include only the Calculation Procedure and the Final Re-sults for one item and some other contents such as Detailed Calculation and the Final Results for another Item. However, you have the option of removing some of the contents or items from the report by using the Report format dialog box or while previewing the report.

General Tools


The Report Format dialogue box helps you to produce a fully customizable and formatted report using style defini-tions, font selection, margins, footer/header, page layout, etc. You can also view the items and contents that have been added to the report and remove any unwanted items.

Apart from the above-mentioned options, the Report menu also has options for Printing, Previewing and Saving func-tions. These functions are discussed in detail in the following paragraphs.

How to Prepare the Report Use the Report menu to create a comprehensive, formatted report of selected data and results. Follow the steps given be-low:

• Choose the Project Information command from the Report Menu.

• Enter the data required in the Project Information Dialogue Box such as Project, Title, Organization and the name of the Engineer. Press OK.

• Choose the Report Item Contents command from the Report menu and check the contents of the items to be included in the report. After the selection is com-plete press OK.

• Click on the Report Format command from the Re-port menu to format the report.

• After the formatting is complete you can preview the formatted report, print it or save it for future use.

• Buttons are available to access Report Format, Pre-view and Print in the Report Frame section. You can also access Print and Report Format from the Pre-view Form.

General Tools


How to Add Results to the Report • Once you complete the computation, click on the

Add button.

• Now the results will be added to the Report. Two sets of results will be printed on one page.

• Click on the Clear button to remove result sets from the report.

• Click on the Print button to print the contents that have been added.

Previewing a Report After adding the required results to the report you can start printing the report. GEAR however, provides you with the option of previewing the report before it is actually printed. Using this feature you can make sure that the report contains everything you need.

Several buttons are provided on this preview window. Use these buttons to move up and down in the report or to view it with different magnification. You may also print the report by pressing the Print button provided in this window. The following is the list of available buttons and their functions:

Display the first page of the report.

Display the previous page in the report.

Display the next page in the report.

Display the last page of the report.

Increase the magnification of the currently dis-played page.

General Tools


Reduce the magnification of the currently dis-played page.

Close the preview window and return to the main window.

To preview a Report do the following:

• Click on the Preview button or go to the Report menu and select Preview Report.

• The Print Preview window will be shown. You can use the above given buttons to move around in the report or change the magnification of the preview.

• Click the Print button to get a hard copy of the report.

• Click Close to return to the main window.






General Tools














General Tools



Calculating Load Combinations




• Set the Combination Tables and the Level of Op-tions from the Tools menu.

• Enter the data in the Basic Data tab. Load case names will be initialized at the beginning. These Load cases will vary depending on the Selection Ta-ble and the Level Options that you have chosen from the Tools menu. You can enter the data in the table by following the steps below:

• To add more elements, press the Add button on the Elements/Members. This will add a new element to a section. To remove elements press the Remove button.

• To add more sections to an element, Press the Add button on the Sections. This will add a new section for the selected element. To remove elements press the Remove button.

• Enter the data for Nz, Vx, Vy, Mx, My and Tz for each load case.

• Once the data are entered, press the Compute button. The status bar will show the selected code, levels of loads and the levels of load combinations.

General Tools


• The results of the computed combined loads for all elements and sections will be displayed on the Com-bined Load tab.

• Now the Load Combination for every level of Load Case and Load Combinations can be obtained in ta-ble form from the Load Combination Table tab.

• Now go to the Report tab and click on the Add but-ton to include the results to a report. Every time you add a set of results, a message will appear in the status bar indicating the number of cross-section re-sult sets that have been added to the report so far.

Print the current results display using the but-ton OR use the Print Current Section option from the File menu.

• To print a report select the Print Report option from the Report menu OR click on the Print button pro-vided in the Print Report section. You can also pre-view the contents of a report by pressing the Preview button OR choosing the Preview Report option from the Report menu.

• You can also Cut or Copy the results list OR the graphic view of the cross-section to paste it in documents in other Windows-compatible applica-tions.

• Use the Save Result option from the toolbar to save the results to a file. These results are saved in simple text format.

• Once the design is complete, quit the program by clicking on the X button or choose Exit from the File menu.

Chapter 2


2 - 1

Chapter 2 Geometric Properties Initial Setup

Setting Up Work Environment

ACECOMS GEAR initializes your work environment using appropriate values for different parameters. Once you exit the program, values of important parameters such as default work units, rebar set, design code, etc. are saved automati-cally and are used to initialize these parameters next time when you start the program. The working units and the num-ber format can be changed using the Options menu.

Triangle Solver Triangle dimensions, angles and properties can be computed by using this module in a number of different combinations.

Using the Triangle Solver

The Triangle Properties Solver program has only one screen and a simple menu system for operation. Whenever the Tri-angle Property Solver program is activated, the following menu options are available on the form.


Triangle Solver 2-2


File The menu commands under File let you save and print the results.

New: Choose this command to start a new problem. At start-up all values will be set to default.

Save Current Result: To save currently displayed results select this command.

Print Current Result: This menu command allows you to print the currently displayed results to the default printer.


Exit: Choose this command to quit the module.

Edit The Edit menu provides commands for copying and cut-ting selected text, graphics or results. This option is available for the input data, result list and figure.

Copy: Selected information may be copied into the clip-board and may then be pasted into other applications.




Triangle Solver 2 -3

Number Format: Use this menu to change the number format to either Decimal or Scientific.






Preview: Use this menu command to preview the for-matted version of the report before you print it. Note that in preview mode, figures are shown as rectangle; how-ever, at print time actual figures are included.

Save Report Content: Choose this command to save the report as a simple text for future use.





Triangle Solver 2-4

About the Program: This menu command opens up a dialogue box that contains Copyright information and in-formation about the End User License Agreement with a User ID Number for the Triangle Solver.










Solving Triangles





Triangle Solver 2 -5

• Now select the variables for entering values.

• By default, all three Sides and Angles are activated. There are three options you can go for:

Option 1: Select all three sides.

Option 2: Select two sides and the angle in-cluded by these sides.

Option 3: Select any two angles and any one side.

NOTE: Once you have selected the required number of variables, other variables become inactive. To change the Options or Values press the Reset button and then pro-ceed.

Do - Outside Diameter Xo - Centroid Coordinate

Yo - Centriod Coordinate A - Gross Area

W - Total Width P - Outer Perimeter

H - Total Height t - Wall Thickness

Iyy - Moment of Inertia Ixx - Moment of Inertia

• Enter values for the selected variables. If you enter an inappropriate value OR the selected variables are


Triangle Solver 2-6

incorrect, warning messages will appear in the status bar.

• Specify the number format as either Decimal or Sci-entific by using the View command from the Option menu OR click on the appropriate buttons from the toolbar. Make sure that the changes are made before you add the result to the Report.

Note: You cannot change the Number Format for a result set that has already been added to the Report.

• Click on the Compute button. This will display the results in the Results Box.

• Now click on the Add button to include the results in a report. Every time you add a set of results, a mes-sage will appear in the status bar indicating the number of cross-section result sets that have been added to the report up to that time.

• Print the current results display using the but-ton OR use the Print Current Section option from the File menu. To print a report select the Print Report option from the Report menu OR click on the Print button provided in the Print Report section. You can also preview the contents of a report by pressing the Preview button OR choosing the Preview Report op-tion of the Report menu.

• You can also Cut or Copy the results list OR the graphic view of the polygon to paste it in documents in other Windows-compatible applications.

• Use the Save Result option from the toolbar to Save the results in a file. These results are saved in simple text format.


Circle Solver 2 -7

• Once the design is complete, quit the program by clicking on the X button or choose Exit from the File menu.

Circle Solver All properties of solid and hollow circle (full, semi, quarter), and parts of circles (segments, sections, arcs) can be com-puted by using this module.

Using the Circle Solver

The Circle Properties Solver program has only one screen and a simple menu system for operation. Whenever the Cir-cle Property Solver program is activated, the following menu options are available on the form.





Print Current Results: This menu command allows you to print the currently displayed results to the default printer.




Circle Solver 2-8

Edit The Edit menu provides commands for copying and cut-ting selected text, graphics or results. This option is available for the input data, results list and figure.

Copy: Selected information may be copied into the clip-board and then pasted into other applications.

Cut: In addition to copying selected information, the cut option deletes that information from the screen.








Preview: Use this menu command to preview the for-matted version of the report before you print it. Note that


Circle Solver 2 -9

in preview mode, figures are shown as rectangles, how-ever, at print time actual figures are included.





About the Program: This menu command opens up a dialogue box that contains Copyright information and in-formation about the End User License Agreement with a User ID Number for the Circle Solver.






Copies the selected graphic or text to the Clip-


Circle Solver 2-10

board.

Activates the Solid Circle option.

Activates the Hollow Circle option.




Solving Circles



button to open a new file.

• Select the circle or part of the circle to be solved, from the vertical toolbar. This vertical toolbar con-sists of full, semi, and quarter circles, sector, seg-ment and arc.

• Choose the type (Solid) or (Hollow) from the toolbar OR choose Type from the Options menu.

• Now select the known property or properties from the Given Variable List. These selected properties will appear at the bottom for entering values.


Circle Solver 2 -11

Do - Outside Diameter Xo - Centroid Coordinate

b - Chord Width Yo - Centroid Coordinate

A - Gross Area W - Total Width

P - Outer Perimeter H - Total Height

a - Length of Side t - Wall Thickness

Iyy - Moment of Inertia Ixx - Moment of Inertia

U - Tilt Angle: Counter clockwise angle from X-axis at ori-gin to the Line of symmetry of the circle.


Circle Solver 2-12

d - Included Angle: Included angle produced by the chord with the center of the circle.

• Enter values for the selected variables. If you enter an inappropriate value a warning message will ap-pear in the status bar.

NOTE: For a hollow circle, Wall thickness (t) must be entered in addition to the other variables.

• Specify the Number Format as either Decimal or Scientific by using the View command from the Op-tion menu OR click on the appropriate buttons from the toolbar. Make sure that the changes are made be-fore you add the result to the Report.

Note: You cannot change the Number Format for a result set that has already been added to the Report.

• Click on the Compute button. This will display the results in the Results Box.

• Now click on the Add button to include the results in the report. Every time you add a set of results, a message will appear in the status bar indicating the number of cross-section result sets that have been added to the report so far.



Polygon Solver 2 -13

• You can also Cut or Copy the results list OR the graphic view of the polygon to paste it in documents in other Windows-compatible applications.

• Use the Save Result option from the tool bar to Save the results to a file. These results are saved in simple text format.

• Once the design is complete, quit the program by clicking on the X button or select Exit from the File menu.

Polygon Solver This module can handle regular solid or hollow polygons of 3-30 sides. Properties can be calculated by providing various parameters such as: Outside Diameter, Inside Diameter, Wall Thickness, Gross Area, Outer Perimeter, Length of Side A, Centroid Coordinates, Moment of Inertia, Total Width and Height.

Using the Polygon Solver

The Polygon Properties Solver program has only one screen and a simple menu system for operation. Whenever the Polygon Property Solver program is activated, the following menu options are available on this form.





Polygon Solver 2-14

Save Current Result: To save currently displayed results select this command.

Print Current Result: This menu command allows you to print the currently displayed results to the default printer.



Edit The Edit menu provides commands for copying and cut-ting selected text, graphics or results. This option is available for input data, results list and figure.


Cut: In addition to copying selected information, this option deletes that information from the screen.


Number Format: Use this menu to specify the number format either as Decimal or Scientific.

Polygons: This menu provides the option of selecting ei-ther a Solid or a Hollow polygon.








Preview: Use this menu command to preview the for-matted report before printing it. Note that in preview mode, figures are shown as rectangle, however, at print time actual figures are included.




Contacting ACECOMS: Use this command to contact ACECOMS for technical reference and learn about the ACECOMS activities.

About the Program: This menu command opens up a dialogue box that contains Copyright information and in-formation about the End User License Agreement with a User ID Number for the Polygon Solver.

Apart from the menu system a toolbar is available within the program’s main window for simple operations. Instead of


Polygon Solver 2-16

opening menus and choosing commands you can click these buttons. The toolbar options are described below:






Activates the Solid Polygon option.

Activates the Hollow Polygon option.




Solving Polygons



button to open a new file.

• Select the polygon to be solved from the vertical toolbar. This vertical bar contains three, four, five,



six, seven, eight and n sided polygons. For n sided polygons, enter the number of sides in addition to the other properties.

• Choose the type of polygon (Solid) or (Hollow) from the toolbar OR from the Options menu.

• Now select the property from the Given Variable List. This selected property will appear below the se-lection for entering a value.

Do Outside Diameter A Gross Area

Xo Centroid Coordinate P Outer Perimeter

Di Inside Diameter H Total Height

Yo Centroid Coordinate a Length of Side

Ixx Moment of Inertia t Wall Thickness

Iyy Moment of Inertia

• Enter a value for the selected variables. If you enter an inappropriate value a warning message will ap-pear in the status bar.


Polygon Solver 2-18

NOTE: For a hollow polygon, Wall thickness (t) must be entered in addition to the other variables.

• Specify the Number Format as either Decimal or Scientific by using the View command from the Op-tion menu OR using the appropriate buttons pro-vided on the toolbar. Make sure that the changes are made before you add the result to the Report.

NOTE: You cannot change the Number Format for a result set which has already been added to the Report.

• Click on the Compute button. This will display the results: Outside Diameter, Inside Diameter, Wall Thickness, Gross Area, Outer Perimeter, Length of Side A, Centroid Coordinates, Moment of Inertia, Total Width and Height in the Results Box.



• You can also Cut or Copy the results list OR the graphic view of the polygon to paste them in docu-ments in other Windows-compatible applications.


Property Calculator 2 -19

• Use the Save Result option from the tool bar to save the results to a file. These results are saved in a sim-ple text format.

• Once the design is complete, quit the program by clicking on the X button or choosing Exit from the File menu.

Property Calculator This tool is very convenient in computing the cross-sectional properties of most commonly used shapes. The program uses a graphical/visual approach for shape selection and dimen-sion input. The properties are computed about the centroid or any other user-specified location.

Using the Property Calculator

The Properties Calculator program has only one screen and a simple menu system for operation. Whenever the Cross-section Properties Calculator program is activated, the fol-lowing menu options are available on the form.





Print Current Results: This menu command allows you to print the currently displayed results to the default printer.


Property Calculator 2-20



Edit The Edit menu provides commands for copying and cut-ting selected text, graphics or results. This option is available for the input data, results list and figure.


Cut: In addition to copying selected information, this option deletes that information from the screen.


Working Units: This menu provides the options of changing the unit system. There are three unit systems available: Metric, US and SI.




Report Item Content: Choose this command to select the content of the report from various options listed.





Preview: Use this menu command to preview the for-matted report before printing. Note that in preview mode, figures are shown as rectangle. However at print time actual figures are included.




Contacting ACECOMS: Use this command to contact ACECOMS for technical reference and know about the ACECOMS activities.

About the Program: This menu command opens up a dialogue box that contains Copyright information and in-formation about the End User License Agreement with a User ID Number for the Property Calculator.







Cuts the selected graphic or text and places it on the Clipboard

Copies the selected graphic or text to the Clip-board




Obtaining Properties


• Set the Working Units to SI, Metric or US by select-ing from the Options menu.



• Now select the cross-sectional shape from the verti-cal tool bar which contains about 20 shapes includ-ing: Rectangular, Split rectangular, Rectangular box, Rectangle with a hole, General tee, Symmetric tee, General I, Symmetric I, Fillet I, General Plus, Trapezoid, Triangle, General C, Symmetric C, Cir-cular, Shaft, Tee box and Inclined box.

• Enter the dimensions in the dimension boxes pro-vided in the cross-section figure.



• Specify the Number Format as either Decimal or Scientific from the Option menu OR click on the ap-propriate buttons on the toolbar. Make sure that the changes are made before you add the result to the Report.

NOTE: You cannot change the Number Format for a result set that has already been added to the Report.

• Select the point about which you want the properties to be calculated. There are two options: At the Cen-ter of Gravity or at any point specified by the user. If you select a point, enter the coordinates in the ap-propriate boxes.

• Select the axis about which you want the properties to be calculated. There are two options: At the Global axis or at any angle specified by the user.

• Click on the Compute button. This will display the results in the Results Box, including:

Area of the cross-section A

Perimeter of the cross-section P

Centroid Xo

Centroid Yo

Properties at the Center of Gravity about X,Y:

Moment of Inertia

Intertia Ixx

Inertia Iyy

Inertia Ixy

Modulus



Modulus-Sxx(T)

Modulus-Sxx(B)

Modulus-Syy(L)

Modulus-Syy(R)

Radius of Gyration

Radius rx

Radius xy

Principal Moment of Inertia

Moment of Inertia I11

Moment of Inertia I22

Principal Angle Tx1: Angle of principal axis

Width

Height





• You can also Cut or Copy the results list OR the graphic view of the cross-section to paste it in documents in other Windows-compatible applica-tions.

• Use the Save Result option from the tool bar to Save the results to a file. These results are saved in simple text format.

• Once the design is complete, quit the program by clicking on the X button or choosing Exit from the File menu.

gear2003 part a

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