With newly introduced spResults and spReporter Modules and powered by the advanced and flexible graphical interface of new spSection
Module for creating and modifying irregular sections,
spColumn v6.00
is widely used for design and investigation of columns, shear walls, bridge piers as
well as typical framing elements in buildings and other structures. Equipped with latest American (ACI 318-14) and Canadian (CSA A23.3-14)
Concrete codes, spColumn is developed to design and investigate any reinforced concrete sections subject to combined axial and flexural
loads. Formerly pcaColumn, PCACOL, and IrrCOL, spColumn investigates sections that are impossible to find on design charts or to do by
hand. The section can be rectangular, round or irregular, with any reinforcement layout or pattern. The program offers investigation
of irregularly shaped, reinforced concrete column sections that may contain openings or boundary elements. Top selling worldwide, spColumn
provides a full featured 3D visualization of the nominal and factored failure surface. Import/export of DXF files, nominal interaction
diagrams, and display of capacities at your load point are just a few of the rich program features.
User Interface
spColumn
spSection
New spResults Module
New spReporter Module
Reinforced Concrete Column Systems
Based on Slenderness
Slender Column – Sway Frame
Slender Column – Nonsway Frame
Slenderness to be Considered
Short column
Slenderness NOT to be Considered
Based on Loading
Column under axial loading only Run axis - About X-Axis or Y-Axis if both section and reinforcement are symmetric
Column under axial loading plus biaxial bending Run axis - Biaxial, regardless of section and/or reinforcement being symmetric
Column under axial loading plus bending Run axis - About X-Axis or Y-Axis if both section and reinforcement are symmetric
Column under axial loading plus biaxial bending Run axis - Biaxial, if either section or reinforcement are unsymmetrical regardless of loading being biaxial
Based on Shape
Square Column
Rectangular Column
Circular Column
Oval Shaped Column
Rectangular Tube Column
U-Shaped Precast Trench
Based on Reinforcement Layout
All Sides Equal Option Design reinforcement by maintaining equal number of bars on all sides
Equal Spacing Option Design reinforcement by maintaining nearly equal bar spacing on all sides
Sides Different Option In design number of top/bottom bars can be different than number of bars on sides
Irregular Pattern Reinforcement
Based on Confinement Type
Confinement: Spiral Determines capacity reduction factors based on "Spiral" confinement
Confinement: Tied Determines capacity reduction factors based on "Tied" confinement
Confinement: Other Deterimes capacity reduction factors based on "Other" confinement
Based on Application
Building Columns
Square column
Rectangular Column
Circular Column
Shear Walls
Bridges
Piers/Pilasters
Sound Walls
Architectural Columns
Beams
L-Beam
T-Beam
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Analysis & Design
Section Analysis
The analysis of the reinforced concrete section performed by spColumn conforms to the provisions
of the Strength Design Method (CSA A23.3) and Unified Design Provisions (ACI 318). All conditions of strength satisfy the
applicable conditions of equilibrium and strain compatibility.
Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Section
Reduction Factors
For the ACI codes, the nominal (unreduced) capacity of the section is first computed. Then, the
nominal capacity is reduced to the design capacity using the strength reduction factor, Φ.
Reduction Factors for Flexural and Axial Capacity per ACI code
Section Investigation
spColumn computes the interaction diagram (uniaxial runs) or the three-dimensional failure surface
(biaxial runs) of the input section. The values of maximum compressive axial load capacity and maximum tensile load capacity
are computed. These two values set the range within which the moment capacities are computed for a predetermined number of
axial load values.
For uniaxial runs, positive and negative moment capacities about only the selected axis are computed. Moment
capacities about the orthogonal axis are ignored. To compute the moment capacity at a certain level of axial load, the
neutral axis angle is held constant, parallel to the selected axis. The neutral axis depth is adjusted to arrive at the
desired axial load capacity. This is done for all the predetermined values of axial load.
For biaxial runs, the same predetermined values of axial load are utilized. For each level of axial load, the section
is rotated in 10-degree increments from 0 degrees to 360 degrees and the Mx and My moment capacities are computed. Thus
for each level of axial load, an Mx-My contour is developed. Repeating this for the entire range of axial loads, the
three-dimensional failure surface is computed. A three-dimensional visualization of the resulting entire nominal and
factored failure surface is provided to support enhanced understanding of the section capacity.
Interaction Surface for Combined Axial Load and Biaxial Bending
Section Design
Based on the specified minimum, maximum and increment specified for the section and the reinforcing bars,
the program selects the smallest section with the least amount of reinforcement for which the load-moment capacity exceeds the
applied loads. Depending on the design criteria the user selects, the least amount of reinforcement the program searches for means
either the smallest number of bars or the smallest steel area.
The program starts the design by trying the smallest section (minimum dimensions) and the least amount
of reinforcing bars. The program verifies that the ratio of provided reinforcement is always within the specified minimum and
maximum ratios. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified by the user, the bar spacing is always kept greater than or equal to
the larger of 1.5 times the bar diameter or 1.5 in. [40 mm] for ACI and 1.4 times the bar diameter or 1.2 in [30 mm] for CSA.
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Results Output
Graphical Output
P-M Diagram - Full
P-M Diagram - M Positive
P-M Diagram - M Negative
Mx-My Diagram [Biaxial Runs Only]
3D View [Biaxial Runs Only]
Text Output
Slenderness
Moment Magnification Factors
Factored Moment due to First-Order and Second-order Effects
Factored Loads and Moments with Corresponding Capacities
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Advanced Features
Importing DXF Files
spColumn imports section shape and reinforcement from DXF files to overcome complex geometries and reinforcement configurations.
Elliptical Column - Hollow Section
Elliptical Column Section - DXF File
spColumn 2D Interaction Diagram
spColumn 3D Interaction Diagram
Dumbbell Shear Wall - Unsymmetrical Boundary Elements
Dumbbell Shear Wall Section - DXF File
spColumn 2D Interaction Diagram
spColumn 3D Interaction Diagram
Capacity-to-Demand Ratio (CDR)
CDR is used to provide information about the status of all the factored applied loads with respect to the section capacity
(the ratio of section flexural capacity to required capacity for a certain axial load).
M-M Diagram at Pu
P-M Diagram
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Additional 20% discount available for multi-product bundle purchase spMats, spBeam, spColumn, spSlab,
spWall, spFrame (formerly pcaMats, pcaBeam, pcaColumn, pcaSlab, pcaWall, pcaFrame). Email us at
info@StructurePoint.org for more information on pricing and licensing.