Reinforced column with a bracket (EN)

1 Starting a new project

Let’s launch the IDEA StatiCa Detail application (download the newest version). In the main window of IDEA StatiCa, open the Detail application to define a new project. 

Click New to create a project. In the first step, you define the design code (choose EN) as well as the concrete grade and cover (use concrete C20/25 and cover 30 mm). You can change your choice of material (or add another one) later, nevertheless, the design code can be chosen only in this first step of the project.

You can then find your desired detail shape among the templates. For the corbel design, select Frame joints template and Column with bracket type. If you don't find a suitable template, you can start with a blank project.

On the left is the Navigator where you can modify geometry, loads, reinforcement, display calculation results, bill of materials, etc. If you want to get orient yourself in the application environment, check out the following article - General interface in Detail application.

We will start with the Geometry section where you can adjust geometry items (walls and beams), supports, and load-transferring devices (such as bearing plate, patch support, etc.).

In this case, two items have already been created by the template: frame joint FJ1 and a bearing plate BP1. 

• Read more about geometry types in Geometry Types in Detail
• Read more about supports in Types of supports in IDEA StatiCa Detail

The second section belongs to the definition of loads. There are three tabs in the Data window - Load Cases & Combination, Internal forces (available only for trimmed ends), and Load impulses. Let's start with the first one where two load cases and three combinations were automatically added. In order to be able to distinguish between short-term and long-term effects, it is necessary to set correctly Permanent and Variable load case types. The settings greatly impact the interpretation of ULS and SLS checks. To modify the combination rules click on the pen icon and set the individual coefficients.

Notice the unticked checkboxes for load cases. The calculations will be performed just for the ticked items, and by excluding load cases, you can speed up the calculation.

Now we will continue with the Load impulses tab where you can set an external load, such as a point load, for each load case.

The trimmed ends are used. That is why we need to set the internal forces on individual members and reach equilibrium at the intersection of the column and the corbel. 

In the Main window, you can check if the internal forces correspond to the internal forces in the global model.

• Read more about Internal Forces and Equilibrium in Detail
• Read more about Load impulses in Detail

The next step is to reinforce the model in the Reinforcement menu. We will edit the reinforcement from the template, but first, we can look at the Topology Optimization in Design tools that help you to design the reinforcement. Alternatively, you can use a more traditional Linear Analysis to get the hint for the reinforcement design.

• Read more about Topology Optimization

Now design the reinforcement. You can reinforce your detail based on the results from the Design tools. To do that switch to Input/Edit in the top ribbon.

Two stirrup groups and four groups of bars were already added by the template, you can adjust them to your needs in the parameters window.

Lastly, check out the alignment of reinforcement visually using the Real 3D view.

2 Calculation and Check

Navigate to Check and start the analysis by clicking on the Calculate button in the ribbon.

The analysis model is automatically generated. On the right, you can see the common results such as the utilization of the materials. The calculations are performed and you can see the Summary of checks displayed together with the values of check results.

To go through the detailed checks of each component, start with the Strength tab. This will show concrete checks such as utilization in stress, the direction of principal stresses, strains, and also a map of reduction factor k_c, which can be switched on in the ribbon. Also, you can change directions and scale of stress.

For detailed results of reinforcement, you need to click on the row Reinforcement. This will change the ribbon icons and also will unroll the table for results. You can display results for strains and stresses in each bar and their utilization. 

Let's go to the Stress check. Besides the icons to switch between the results, there are settings in the ribbon to specify the limit value or display of results from short/long-term effects. Short-term effects are calculated considering elastic modulus E_cm. Long-term effects take into account the effect of creep of concrete, so the effective elastic modulus E_c,eff is taken into account.

In the same way, you can also display SLS checks for Cracks and other results.

3 Printing report

You can go to the Bill of Material and click Export to DXF to generate the 2D drawings. All the reinforcement is exported into blocks that can be exploded into polylines.

Now it is time to print a report of your calculations. Go to the Report Preview/Print. You can adjust the report based on your needs in the parameters tab. E.g. you can also include the Bill of material in the report. Select the option and press Refresh in the top ribbon.

The bill of material was added to the report, and we can print it into PDF or Microsoft Word file.

To change the header of the report, go to the Project tab.

Don't forget to Save your project and we are done!