Chapter 2 Design Prerequisites

This chapter provides an overview of the basic assumptions, design preconditions, and some of the design parameters that affect composite beam design. In writing this manual it has been assumed that the user has an engineering background in the general area of structural reinforced concrete design and familiarity with AISC 360-10 code.

2.1

Design Codes
The design code can be set by the user when the model is started and changed at any time. Any one design code can be used in any one design run. A group of beams cannot be designed using one code and another set of beams designed for a different code in the same design run. However, different design codes can be used to perform different design runs without rerunning the analysis.

2.2

Units
For composite beam design in this program, any set of consistent units can be used for input. Typically, design codes are based on one specific set of units. The documentation in this manual is presented in kip-inch-seconds units unless otherwise noted. However, any system of units can be used to define and design a building in the program.

Beam Properties

2-1

Composite Beam Design AISC 360-10

2.3

Preferences
The Composite Beam Design Preferences are basic assignments that apply to all composite beam members. Default values are provided for all preference items. Thus, it is not necessary to specify or change any of the preferences. However, at least review the default values to ensure they are acceptable. Some of the preference items also are available as member specific overwrite items. The Preferences are described in Appendix A. The Overwrites are described in Appendix B. Overwritten values take precedence over the preferences.

2.4

Overwrites
The composite beam design Overwrites are basic assignments that apply only to those elements to which they are assigned. Default values are provided for all overwrite items. Thus, it is not necessary to specify or change any of the overwrites. However, at least review the default values to ensure they are acceptable. When changes are made to overwrite items, the program applies the changes only to the elements to which they are specifically assigned. Overwritten values take precedence over the preferences. See Appendix B for more information about Overwrites.

2.5

Composite Beam Properties

This section provides an overview of composite beam properties. Items described include beam properties, metal deck and concrete slab properties, shear connector properties, user-defined shear connector patterns, cover plate properties, effective slab width and beam unbraced length. The many properties associated with composite beams are defined using various menus in the program. Other items related to the beam properties are specified in the composite beam preferences or overwrites.

2.5.1 Beam Properties

Figure 2-1 shows a typical composite beam for reference. The beam shown is a rolled beam section from the built-in section database.

2-2

Beam Properties