Example 4: Continuous beam

Example 4: Steel beam of 2 spans

This example will take you systematically through the creation of a 2-span steel beam. This example
will be most effective if you practice the illustrated skills as they are presented.
The structure to be entered is a simple steel beam loaded with two concentrated loads located at the
midpoint of the first span and at the far quarter point of the second span as illustrated:

1) Starting a new structure

Select the New option in the RE button to create a new footing.

If an opened model exists, the module will ask you if you wish to save your previous model.
Once opened the new file, you can proceed with the introduction of data in the left window,
following the order that is shown next.
Note.- The following example and the assumed values are simply illustrative.

2) Entering units
Select the option Units system. This action will display the following drop down menu.

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Example 4: Continuous beam

Select the English units system

3) Entering geometry
Select the option Geometry. This and the other files can be displayed or hidden for the user comfort.

Enter the Number of spans

As you will see the spans were generated.
Select the option Spans of equal length. In this case the spans will have different lengths. Therefore
uncheck the spans of equal length option.

Uncheck the Spans of equal length option.

Select the option Lengths. A spreadsheet will appear, in which the user will be able to enter the
lengths for the corresponding spans.

Enter 20 ft for the length of the span 1 and 15 ft for the length of the span 2. Finally press OK.
Note.- Remember that you can edit the cells of the spreadsheet any time that you want or undo the
changes

(In order to undo an action, right click in the spreadsheet and select the Undo command from
the menu displayed).
Next, check the same material for all spans option.

Check the Same sections for all spans option.

Select the Material option and choose one. For the example, try Steel A992 Gr50.

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 Example 4: Continuous beam

Select the material: Steel/A992 Gr50. Press OK.

Then check the option same section for all spans.

Check same sections for all spans option.

Next, select the Section option and choose one. Every time you select a section type, you will see its
different dimensions.

Look for the section table W, select the section W6X20 and press the OK button.
Note. - When there is more than one selection, select the material, section or others and press the
button to assign or double-click on the same one.
Select the option Code design in which you will the available design codes in the module:

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Example 4: Continuous beam

 AISC 360-05 ASD (Allowable Stress Design).

 AISC 360-10 ASD (Allowable Stress Design).
 AISC 360-05 LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design).
 AISC 360-10 LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design).
 BS_5950 (only for steel members).
 AS_4100 (only for steel members).

Select the Design code option and choose AISC 360-05 LRFD.

4) Assigning restraints
Next, select the option Restraints/Use same restriction.

Check the Restraints/Use same restriction option

To assign the restrictions select the option Type and choose the restriction type required. It is not
necessary to first select the nodes in the graph.

Select the Pinned restraint.

Note.- When the restrictions are different, you will find a spreadsheet in the Type option, which by
pressing twice in the cells with the mouse, and you will have 5 possible restrictions to choose.

Leave the option Cantilever end as it is because this beam example doesn't present a cantilever.

Select none for the Cantilever end option.

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 Example 4: Continuous beam

5) Entering loads
In this example, a concentrated load of 7 Kips will be introduced in the direction of the negative
vertical axis (Y) as Dead load. Additionally, a concentrated force of 8 Kips of Live load will be
applied.
To assign loads, follow the following steps:

Select the Dead load/ Concentrated option and press Assign concentrated load.

Enter the data as shown in the figure. Then press OK.

Note.- The value of the load should be input without a sign . The sign will be given by the direction
Downwards or Upwards.
The distance to the load can be assigned as a magnitude or percentage of the total length, according to
the user’s preference.

It is possible uncheck the assignation of the distance to the load by magnitude.

In this example, the self-weight won't be considered.

Uncheck the Include self weight option.

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Example 4: Continuous beam

We will follow the same procedure to assign a concentrated live load as shown in the figure.

Select Live load/Concentrated and press Assign concentrated load.

Enter the data as shown in the figure. Then press OK.

Press OK again.

Leave number by default.

6) Generating load combinations

The program provides the different load combinations for each code for both service and design
combinations. The user will be able to load these combinations automatically or program them
manually.

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 Example 4: Continuous beam

Select the Combinations/Strength design load combinations option and then press the Generate

load combinations button to generate the load combinations.

Select the load combination according to the code. In this case select ASCE 7-05 LRFD factored
Load Combos and press Generate.

Press Generate and the load combinations will be generated.

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Example 4: Continuous beam

Keep selected combos and press OK.

A message will appear with the number of generated load combination and then press OK.
All generated loads will be visible at the top of the spreadsheet.
Do the same procedure for the service load combinations.

7) Assigning design data

Change the value for Relative limit for deflection (l/value) to 180.

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 Example 4: Continuous beam

Leave data as default data.

8) Seeing results graphically

Once you finished the data introduction, it is possible to see the analysis and design results.
It is recommended that the user examine the results with the example: Example 5 Steel.RCB that
comes with the program. After analyzing the beam, check the data input that was previously
explained. If there are differences in the results, please check the input data.

To see the stress diagrams:

Select the Diagrams tab to see the stress diagrams.

In the window you will see shear and moment diagrams for the current load condition.

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Example 4: Continuous beam

In order to choose the load condition and/or the stress diagram that you want to see, select the
appropriate command on the Diagrams tab.

In order to select the load condition, choose the Condition command in the Load conditions group.
Similarly, to select the stress diagram select the Diagram and the stress diagram required in the
Diagrams group.
Note.-
These diagrams can be exported to a CAD program pressing the RE button and selecting the Export

to DXF option. . Then open the file from a CAD program and you will obtain the saved
diagrams.

9) Seeing the report

The whole data and result sets can be seen in the report:

Press the Report command in the Process group on the Home tab.
In the report you can see 3 big parts:
 The input data of the beam is reported as: geometry, load condition, assigned loads

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 Example 4: Continuous beam

 The analysis results are reported as: reactions, member forces and inflection points,
deflections and envelopes;

 The design results are reported as: design parameters, verifications and calculated parameters.

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Example 4: Continuous beam

The user can print the report by pressing the Print command in the Print group in the report
window.

10) Design: Status “Ok” and “ratio >1”

After a detailed description of the parameters and calculation results, the report presents a status for
each span of the beam. It can be two possible options:
 “OK” when the element fulfills all the bending moment and shear code verifications.

 “ratio > 1” when the element fails one or more code verifications.

11) Design for reinforced concrete

Following the same steps of the previous exercise, we will enter a reinforced concrete beam of 2
spans loaded with distributed uniform loads as shown below:

Data:
L1=20 ft
L2=15 ft
f'c = 3000 psi, fy = 40 ksi
Dead load = 0.75kip/ft

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 Example 4: Continuous beam

Live load = 1.0 kip/ft

Section: RcBeam 12x20in
Code design: LRFD
Category combinations: ACI 318 - 99
First, the user must enter the data remembering that the analysis will not automatically include the
self-weight. Then you will proceed to the introduction of data for design. Therefore:

Enter the design data as shown in the figure.

Once finished inputting the data, you are ready to see the analysis and design results as indicated in
sections 8 and 9 of this example.

12) Seeing detailing

After observing the stress diagrams, select the Detailing tab. In this tab you will find a beam
reinforcement detail according to the design.

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Example 4: Continuous beam

In order to see the reinforcement detail, select the Detailing tab.

As you can see at the left window, you have a spreadsheet where you can change the suggested
reinforcement. The reinforcement data can be modified by clicking in the spreadsheet of the left
window as follows:

Select the reinforcing to edit by clicking on its description.

Select the cell denominated Qnty. and enter the new quantity of bars.
In order to specify the data of reinforcement, use the commands in the Generate reinforcement group
on the Detailing tab. As you can see the number of bars has changed in the graphic window
immediately.
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 Example 4: Continuous beam

Notes.-
In order to check the design or generate an automatically optimum reinforcement, select the Check

command and the Optimize command respectively. Both commands are located in the
Quick access toolbar and in the Process group on the Home tab.

13) Design for wood

Following the same steps of the previous exercise, enter a wood beam with 2 spans and loaded with
distributed uniform loads as shown below:

Data:
L1 = 20 ft
L2 = 15 ft
Material: Lumber - Aspen No.2
Dead load = 0.2kip/ft
Live load = 0.1 kip/ft
Section: S4S 8x16in
Code design: ASD
First, the user must enter the data remembering that the analysis will not automatically include the
self-weight.
Then proceed to the data input for design. Therefore:

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Example 4: Continuous beam

Select the Design data/Moisture conditions and choose the Dry option.

Assign a value of 5 inches to the Notch length, 1 inch to the Notch depth and leave the other values
by default.
Once finished inputting the data, you are ready to see the analysis and design results as indicated in
sections 8 and 9 of this example.
It is recommended that the user examine the results with the example: Example 5 Wood.RCB that
comes with the program. If there are differences in the results, please check the input data.

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