Main Reinforcement

The main reinforcement tab allows the parameters controlling the design of the main reinforcement to be set. This includes the definition of the concrete and steel grades, the cover to the reinforcement and the bar sizes and spacing in the x-x and y-y directions. When changes are made to these parameters, the design is automatically updated and the effects of the changes can be viewed live in the design calculations.

The layout of the Main Reinforcement tab is shown below:

Concrete Grade

Change nominal concrete grade Fcu (min 35 for mild, 40 for severe).

This defines the characteristic compressive strength of the concrete used for the pile cap construction (e.g., C32/40).

Steel Grade

Change steel type: T- high yield R - mild steel,

This specifies the strength class of the reinforcing steel bars, such as 500B.

Minimum bar gap

This is a design parameter that sets the minimum permissible clear distance between reinforcement bars. It ensures that the concrete aggregate can flow freely between the bars during placement to avoid voids and ensure proper compaction.

Cover: Top and Sides

The thickness of concrete protecting the reinforcement from the environment at the top and vertical side faces of the pile cap.

Cover: Bottom [pile embed.]

Change usually 75mm to allow for piles projecting into pilecap.

The thickness of concrete at the bottom of the cap. This value is typically larger than the top/side cover because it must account for the pile penetration (or embedment) into the cap, which is usually around 75 mm.

Pile Cap overhang

Change pile cap overhang past the edge of the pile (150mm)

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Note: With Square Piles this value is increased by 0.207 times the pile width to allow for rotation of the pile.

The distance the concrete cap extends beyond the outer face of the piles. A default value of 150 mm is often used for circular piles to provide adequate reinforcement cover and accommodate potential pile installation tolerances.

X-X Axis - Bar Diameter

Change reinforcement diameter bending about the X-X axis.

The diameter of the main tension reinforcement bars running parallel to the X-X axis.

X-X Axis - Bar Spacing

Change reinforcement pitch of bars bending about the X-X axis.

The centre-to-centre distance between the main reinforcement bars in the X-X direction.

Y-Y Axis - Bar Diameter

Change reinforcement diameter bending about the Y-Y axis.

The diameter of the main tension reinforcement bars running parallel to the Y-Y axis.

Y-Y Axis - Bar Spacing

Change reinforcement pitch of bars bending about the Y-Y axis.

The centre-to-centre distance between the main reinforcement bars in the Y-Y direction.

Old Manual

The input parameters are:

Concrete grade – sets the concrete grades
Steel grade – defines the reinforcement grade
Minimum bar gap – minimum clear spacing between bars
Cover:
- Top and Sides – defines the reinforcement cover for the top and side reinforcement
- Bottom (pile embedment) – defines the cover to the bottom reinforcement and/or pile embedment
Pile cap overhang -defines the edge distance from the pile to the edge of the pile cap
XX-axis
- Bar diameter – define the diameter of the reinforcement in the x-x axis
- Bar spacing – set the centres of the x-x direction reinforcement
YY-axis
- Bar diameter – define the diameter of the reinforcement in the y-y axis
- Bar spacing – set the centres of the y-y direction reinforcement

The reinforcement can be viewed in the main graphics display. The reinforcement is labelled in the plan view.