RCDC Getting Started
RCDC Getting Started
RCDC Getting Started
Introduction
1. Import analysis data directly from popular analysis engines. The analysis engines supported are
4. Post reading the data the softwares 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.
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Design Codes
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 .
RCDC links with E-tabs by reading the *.mdb (Microsoft data base) file that is created by E-tabs. The following
procedure is to be used to create the *.mdb file.
The following settings need to be done in E-tabs before performing analysis for the data to be compatible with RCDC.
1. Select all beams and make the number of minimum output stations as 13.
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2. Select all columns and make the number of minimum output stations as 3.
3. From frame section properties delete all sections that you are not using.
4. From load combinations delete all combinations that you do not wish to use.
5. Only combinations of the type ADD are recognized by RCDC, please delete any other type of combination.
6. In case you have defined a spectrum load case, make sure that you have used it in a load combination as
well. If not an error will be returned.
7. Load combinations and basic load cases should have unique names.
8. All individual rectangular piers should have a unique Pier Label.
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a. Go to File Export
c. To set the table option, right click on table and select modify options then the below form will get populated.
Select as per the following.
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a. Go to File Export
d. Depending upon what you are designing select Column forces or Beam Forces or Pier forces. You can create
multiple filter files with the pertinent data.
Selecting only a given type of element reduces the size of the mdb and the data files created.
e. Select all basic load cases in the setting Select Cases / Combos. It is not essential to select the load
combinations as RCDC reads only the definition of
the combinations and not the forces for the same. The forces for the combinations are computed during
design time.
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1. Slabs
a. Loading
b. Thickness
c. Concrete Grade
d. Steel Grade
The slab material properties and thickness is read from the Wall/Slab/Deck Sections setting in E-tabs.
The slab loading is read from the assignments made to the slab.
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Material properties for all elements are read from the name of the Material defined in E-tabs.
To define a concrete grade and steel grade, name the material as M20FE500. This indicates section with M20
concrete grade and Fe500 steel grade.
Different concrete grades can be applied to different members. Beams at a given level can also have different
concrete grades.
Material properties will be read only when they have been defined for all members as per the above definition.
The material properties used for maximum number of members will be displayed in RCDC.
Within RCDC user will have the option to override the material properties read from the analysis file.
File Types
All files created and saved in RCDC, will have the extension *.rcdx
Whenever a Project File (rcdx) file is saved project settings are additionally stores in rcps (RCDC Project Settings)
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The setting file can be used to import settings from one file to another options available are as follows.
Project Settings: To import Project Settings the selected project should be of the same design element
Footing
Import General Settings and Reinforcement settings.
Column
Import General Settings and Reinforcement settings.
Beam
Import General Settings and Reinforcement settings.
Slab
Import Design parameter.
Pilecap
Import 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.
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.
User can import data from Framewin (blw) file into its corresponding rcdx file.
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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.
Grid Lines
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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
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.
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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.
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