Modular interactive analysis-design of prestressed concrete structural elements

Abstract

A computer system for interactive analysis-design of pretensioned prestressed concrete members has been developed adding another working tool to the designer's collection of design aids. The interactive concept allows the designer to interact with the computer, making decisions that might be impractical or impossible to include in a program but allowing the computer to carry out rigorous computations. The process of designing pretensioned prestressed concrete members is organized into distinct phases. In order to produce an optimum design, various phases of the design process may have to be carried out numerous times depending on the effect of the design variables that are changed during the process. The modular interactive design system allows each module to be examined in any order and in any frequency after initial data has been input. This flexibility has been obtained by treating each module as a subroutine called by a control module. The system is designed to communicate with the designer in a conversational mode. Instructions are given to the user before requiring a response and the user has before him sufficient information to make necessary decisions. The present system can be used for the analysis-design of simple span beams and one-way slabs, with or without cantilever end spans, and of structures where the dead load is carried by simple beam action and superimposed dead and live loads are carried by continuous beam action where mild steel is provided to develop continuity over interior supports. The system is designed to be used on a minicomputer.