Computerized automatic design of concrete buildings

Abstract

The salient features of the AMECO system of integrated computer programs are described. The entire structural design process, from geometry generation in 2- or 3-dimensional, load calculations, etc., to productionof construction documents is computerized in to one operation. Using English language commands, the engineer inputs basic parameters, such as name of the building code, number of stories, floor required to seismic factor, typical member lengths and their connectivities. As few as 16 commands are live loads, design a building of 2000 members. Optional commands are available to input predetermined data or to modify the automatic design procedures. The results of two analyses of a 30 storey frame are presented, one using AMECO with its automatic simulation of the construction sequence, and the second one, using a stiffness matrix program. The latter analysis shows substantial discrepancies in column axial strains and girder moments, demonstrating the potential dangers in use of stiffness matrix programs for structures with high dead loads, such as tall buildings. AMECO utilizes a relaxation method for frame analysis, which produces exact, in-core solutions of a 2000 member building in less than 30 sec on a CDC 6600 computer using 33,000 words of memory.