Interactive Computer-Aided Design of Concrete Beams

This study examines computer-aided design of prestressed and reinforced concrete beams. The use of computers for design has a relatively short history, is growing rapidly, and is a topic given much attention. The computer-aided design field is expanding rapidly because of a number of factors. These factors include the decreasing cost of computers, the increased speed with which computers perform calculations, the decreasing size of computers, the increased reliability with which computers perform calculations, and the increased memory capacity that the newer and smaller computers have. The characteristics of design programs are being looked at more closely due to the increase in computer-aided design. Design programs that make use of computer graphics and interactive processing are looked upon most favorably because they permit the experience and judgement of the designer to be coupled with the speed and accuracy of the computer. The formulation and operation of computer programs for the design of simply supported concrete beams subject to uniform loading are presented. Two of the programs are for the design of prestressed concrete beams and one is for the design of reinforced concrete beams. Design examples using the programs are presented. The computer results are compared with hand calculated solutions to show the accuracy of the programs