COLUMN is a computer program written to select cross sections for reinforced concrete columns by simulating the reasoning processes used by structural engineers. The logic used to select, evaluate, and, if required, modify a section is described. Provision is made for the designer to impose, a priori, any restriction on the concrete dimensions or reinforcement that may be desired. The program proportions and details tie dand spiral columns, braced or unbraced for either uniaxial or biaxial loading. Slenderness effects are considered using the moment magnifier method. The design of a tied column with examples of different user-imposed restrictions is included.

Concrete Mix Designer is a prototype expert system that provides the proportion of the trial mix of concrete in accordance with the ACI method. It was developed using the Personal Consultant Plus expert system development package. As most expert systems, this system can justify its conclusions, can be incrementally expanded, and has an easy-to-understand knowledge base. It also has a tutorial for fundamental questions of the proportioning of concrete. The system is very useful for civil engineering students as well as practicing engineers.

The features of commercial spreadsheet software can be used effectively to create templates that analyze and design reinforced concrete structures on microcomputers. Such a template was developed and used to prepare standard drop inlet box designs for a forthcoming ASTM Standard and is presented as an example of a template application. This template analyzes a symmetric concrete frame considering finite joint sizes and axial compression and designs the required reinforcing steel. The results are verified with general purpose structural analysis software and with published design solutions. The benefits of using templates for engineering work is maximized with a layout format that places all input and output results on the main screen for quick refining of trial designs. The main advantages of template development over computer language programming are layout logic, intermediate calculation accessibility, and lack of formatting requirements for data entry and printed results.

Presents an optimum design for a given prestressed concrete member, chosen from an existing shape library and a given external load system. It is emphasized that, as part of the given data, the tendon diagram is determinant in designing a prestressed concrete member. The analysis is based on the elastic behavior of the member, and a realistic investigation of the capacity of the member is performed. The whole process implies an appreciable volume of computations and is suitable for digital computers. A design aid for the initial and final stages of the prestressed concrete member is also presented.

With the rapid advancement of powerful and relatively low-cost minicomputers, refined analytical techniques are now possible to apply during the design stage. An interactive program is presented herein for such refined analysis of beam-column sections under generalized biaxial bending and axial load. The program has a wide range of analysis options for the estimation of complex hysteretic response and three-dimensional interaction diagrams. In addition, it is equipped with a portable window manager, mouse driven input, and editing options and color graphics for on-line inspection of input and analysis results. Different types of materials can be specified such that reinforced, prestressed concrete or plain/composite steel sections can be considered. The section model is idealized as an assembly of fibers acting under a uniaxial state of stress. The section model theory is extended to represent entire members for the nonlinear finite element analysis of complete buildings.