<p>The strut-and-tie method (STM) is a powerful tool used for the design of D-regions (disturbed regions) of reinforced concrete structures. Many typical bridge substructure components consist of D-regions and require the use of the STM for design. Implementation of the STM is more complex than typical design methods, and engineers are often unfamiliar with the design process. As a result, designing using the STM is more time consuming than traditional design methods. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) identified a need for a tool that assists with the design of typical bridge substructure components using the STM. STEP (Strut-and-Tie Evaluation Program) is a computer program created to fulfill this role. To use the computer program, engineers input geometric conditions, material properties, and reinforcement information for a structural component. STEP uses this information to develop a strut-and-tie model and perform STM design procedures. A graphical representation of the model and a summary of the design results are provided as program outputs for the user.</p> <p> </p> <p>STEP, created using Excel VBA, is intended to aid in the design of multi-column bent caps and integral and semi-integral end bent caps. Within this thesis, an overview of the STM is provided, including the basic procedures for designing using the STM. An introduction to Excel VBA is also presented. The document describes the layout and formatting of the computer program, required user inputs, and program outputs. Furthermore, limitations and assumptions within the computer program for the substructure components are also included. Finally, design examples focused on the use of STEP for the design of a five-column bent cap and an integral end bent cap are presented. This document can be used as a resource for engineers when designing bridge substructure components using STEP. </p>

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The use of the object oriented programming approach in developing applications for the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures is discussed. Two object oriented programming languages, Actor and Borland C++ for Windows were used to develop several applications. Actor is a pure object oriented programming language while C++ is a hybrid object oriented programming language. A simple program for computing the flexural capacity of reinforced concrete tee beams was developed in both languages. A second program for the analysis and design of reinforced concrete continuous beams was developed in Actor and C++. This application is representative of a practical structural engineering application and has both analysis and design components. The procedures and techniques used in the development of this application can easily be applied to the development of other structural engineering applications. A third program for the design of simply supported beams was also developed in Actor. The advantages and disadvantages of object oriented programming for structural engineering application development were studied. It was found that object oriented programming has significant benefits. However, these benefits can only be utilized if careful thought is given during the program development stage. There is also some overhead associated with object oriented programming. A comparative study of the two programming languages: Actor and Borland C++ was also performed. / Master of Science

A special problem in many reinforced concrete structures built in the 1970s and earlier is the lack of continuity between elements. Continuity is a characteristic of structures essential to preventing collapse. Therefore, in extreme loading conditions such as loss of a column support due to terrorist attack or if earthquake or other extreme actions occur, the structures could be vulnerable to collapse. The study reported here focused on two structural discontinuities in existing reinforced concrete structures, discontinuity in bottom reinforcement in beams (horizontal discontinuity) and poorly detailed lap splices in columns (vertical discontinuity). The objective of this study was to develop rehabilitation methods using CFRP to provide continuity of reinforcement in existing structures. To develop the rehabilitation methods, two separate experimental studies were conducted using beam and column specimens. CFRP materials were applied to the bottom or side face of a beam and anchored using CFRP anchors or U-wraps to provide horizontal continuity in bottom reinforcement and tested under dynamic loading. After CFRP rehabilitation, the ductility of the bottom reinforcement and large rotational capacity of the beam were realized. CFRP materials were also applied to the lap splice region in square and rectangular columns which exhibited a brittle splice failure as-built. After rehabilitating the columns using CFRP jackets and anchors, the failure mode changed from a brittle splice failure to yield of column reinforcement, and the strength and deformation capacity were improved under both monotonic and cyclic loading. Based on the results of beam and column tests, design guidelines for CFRP rehabilitation were proposed. Horizontal and vertical continuities can be provided through the use of CFRP for rehabilitating existing reinforced concrete structures that were designed prior to the introduction of codes that require continuous reinforcement along members and between adjacent members. The vulnerability of such structures to collapse can be reduced through rehabilitation. / text

[pt] O objetivo deste trabalho é complementar a ferramenta de dimensionamento de pórticos planos de concreto armado já existente no Ftool, programa educacional amplamente difundido no meio acadêmico. Para tanto, foi introduzido o cálculo e dimensionamento de pilares de concreto armado à flexão composta reta. Foi adicionada uma nova seção transversal, referente aos pilares retangulares com armaduras simétricas. Além disso, foi necessária a inclusão de um método de análise não linear geométrica simplificado que fosse compatível com a filosofia do Ftool, aliando simplicidade e eficiência: o método dos Dois Ciclos Iterativos. A ferramenta para análise não linear geométrica pode ou não ser utilizada em conjunto com a ferramenta para o dimensionamento de estruturas de concreto armado, sendo possível a análise não linear geométrica de pórticos planos constituídos de outros materiais. A metodologia utilizada para o dimensionamento dos pilares em concreto armado é a que se baseia nas zonas de solicitação e foi adequada para estar de acordo com a norma brasileira vigente, a ABNT NBR 6118:2014, assim como o dimensionamento de vigas existente em uma versão anterior dessa ferramenta. Dessa forma, é possível exibir resultados para pórticos planos compostos por vigas e pilares em concreto armado, nos mesmos moldes da versão anterior, com diagramas para as armaduras longitudinal e transversal disponíveis nos modos necessária e adotada. / [en] The main objective of this work is to complement the reinforced concrete plane frames design tool already existing in Ftool, an educational tool widely known in academia. Therefore, the design of reinforced concrete columns was introduced. A new cross section for rectangular columns with symmetrical steel reinforcement was added. In addition to that, the inclusion of a simplified nonlinear geometric analysis that was in accordance to the philosophy of Ftool, combining simplicity and efficiency, was needed: the Two cycles iterative method. The nonlinear geometric analysis tool may or may not be used together with the reinforced concrete plane frames design tool, thus allowing for geometric nonlinear analyses of plane frames of other materials. The methodology used for the reinforced concrete frames design was based on solicitation zones and was adapted to be in accordance with the Brazilian code, the ABNT NBR 6118:2014, as was the existing reinforced concrete beams design tool. It is now possible to show results for plane frames composed of reinforced concrete columns and beams just as in the previous version of the reinforced concrete design tool, showing diagrams for the necessary and adopted longitudinal and transversal steel reinforcement.