RAPT - PT SLAB AND BEAM DESIGN PROCEDURE

Page 1 of 14 Anh Tran

Rev01 | 2 July 2018
5 THINGS TO DO BEFORE OPENING RAPT:

1. READ PROJECT BRIEF/CRITERIA AND UNDERSTAND DESIGN REQUIREMENTS.

ASK PROJECT LEADER IF THERE IS NO PROJECT BRIEF/CRITERIA PROVIDED.

2. STUDY ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS INCLUDING ALL DIMENSIONS/STRUCTURAL SIZES REQUIRED
TO COMPLETE RAPT RUNS AND MARK UP LOADING REQUIREMENTS FOR DIFFERENT AREAS, I.E. LOADING PLANS. SEE
EXAMPLE ATTACHED.

3. IDENTIFY TYPICAL DESIGN STRIPS TO BE DESIGNED. SEE EXAMPLE ATTACHED.

THIS WILL INFORM NUMBER OF RAPT RUNS TO BE DONE.
THINK AND FOLLOW LOAD PATHS, I.E. WHAT ELEMENT/DIRECTION IS SUPPORTING WHICH ELEMENT/DIRECTION.

4. PLAN OUT THE ORDER OF RAPT RUNS FOLLOWING LOAD PATH,

E.G. SLAB IS SUPPORTED BY BEAM AND BEAM IS SUPPORTED BY COLUMN, THUS START WITH SLAB DESIGN AND THEN
BEAM DESIGN. ACCORDINGLY, CONCRETE COVER NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY RUNS TO
ALLOW FOR PT DUCT, E.G. 25mm COVER FOR PRIMARY RUNS AND 45mm COVER FOR SECONDARY RUNS.

5. PLAN YOUR TENDON LAYOUT ON PLANS BEFORE DOING RAPT RUNS,

GENERAL RULES OF THUMB ARE AS FOLLOWS:
- FOR FLAT PLATE, RUN A TENDON EITHER SIDE OF COLUMN, 600mm FROM COLUMN CENTRELINE AND THEN START
SPACING TENDONS OUT FOLLOWING MAXIMUM TENDON SPACING RULES BELOW NOTING THAT FOR 2-WAY SLABS,
RAPT DOES NOT CHECK CL 9.1.2 OF AS3600, ESPECIALLY FOR SPAN PARALLEL TO BLADE COLUMNS IN WHICH CASE
CLOSELY SPACED REO IS REQUIRED.
- MAXIMUM TENDON SPACING RULES:
FOR ONE-WAY SLAB = 8 x SLAB THICKNESS
FOR FLAT SLABS/FLAT PLATE:
COLUMN STRIP = 6 x SLAB THICKNESS
MIDDLE STRIP = 10 x SLAB THICKNESS
- DESIGN AND PROVIDE PT TENDONS AND REINFORCEMENT LAYOUT BASED ON TYPICAL CASES AND PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL PT TENDONS/REINFORCEMENT AS REQUIRED FOR NON-TYPICAL CASES (E.G. END SPANS, SPANS LARGER
THAN TYPICAL, ETC.)
- AIM TO DESIGN OUT BOTTOM REINFORCEMENT FOR PT SLABS AND PROVIDE NOMINAL TOP REINFORCEMENT OVER
COLUMNS FOR PT FLAT PLATE TO HELP CONTROL PUNCHING SHEAR.
- TYPICALLY, USE 12.7 DIA STRANDS AND START WITH 4 STRAND TENDONS FOR SLAB DESIGN. 5 STRAND TENDONS CAN
BE USED FOR BEAM IF REQUIRED.
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 Tick appropriate box if there is
cantilever at each end

Select appropriate Panel Type

This window is to help quickly populate

typical and initial design input/parameters
only. All parameters here can be defined or
changed later in the following step-by-step
procedure.

Page 3 of 14
 Fill in Project details and RAPT run reference (e.g.
Grid no.)

Leave as default

Select Slab or Beam design

Select Internal or External (i.e. edge) panel strip
One way Slab or Beam or two way slab design
Select Standard Concrete for Melbourne OR
Brisbane/Sydney depending on project location.
Adopt Standard Concrete - Australia at other
locations.
Adopt 40MPa for both slab/beam and columns
Reinforcement cover in this input box is the cover to
ligatures. This is different from "cover to reinforcement" in the
"user defined" reinforcement input page.
Consult with project leader if pattern loading should be
applied for service level stress checks / deflection.
This is for fire requirements and is measured to the centroid
of the longitudinal reinforcement. Refer Cl 5.2.2 of AS3600 LEAVE EVERYTHING ELSE AS DEFAULT

Beam input table only

appears if Member Type was
selected as "Beam" on the
General tab in previous step.
Adjust spans, slab
thickness and panel
width for design as
required. Right click to change
this to Cantilever or
back to end as Adjust beam
required thickness and panel
width for design as Leave as calculated
required. by RAPT

Page 4 of 14
 As a starting point, adopt
column stiffness of
50% for SLS
100% for ULS (strong axis)
10% for ULS (weak axis)

Separate files might need to

be saved if runs are
working hard and this
difference is important
Height of column above and below.
Measured from top of slab datum to Typically fixed if connected to
centroid of concrete in floor above or a similar frame system below
Important that the correct column spacing
below. Refer RAPT manual 7.2.3.2 is input, especially if designing 1m wide
strips. Used for punching and column
Tip: stiffness
In RAPT, columns of data may be copied by
Model columns (above and below as
highlighting the cell you to be copied and
appropriate) for Beam and Two way slab
pressing Ctrl+R. The data will be copied down
design. Model the actual columns or walls -
all rows.
Don't assume artificial pins or excessively
reduce column stiffness.

Adopt Knife-edge
supports for one-way
slab design

These are Transverse Beam sizes.

Only model these if these beams are
supporting the slab or beam currently
being designed, i.e. primary beams.

NOTE: "BEAMS" SHOULD BE USED WHEN THE DESIGNER

DOES NOT WISH TO INCREASE THE SLAB THICKNESS OVER
Typically "band" by default to capture THE BEAM WIDTH, SUCH AS THE CASE FOR DEEP BEAMS (IE,
flexural stiffness. If "beam" is used, RAPT D/W >=2 SAY). FOR SHALLOW AND WIDE BEAMS WHERE
THERE IS SUFFICENT WIDTH TO MOBILISE THE INCREASE IN
will not calculate moments and forces due to SLAB THICKNESS, BANDS SHOULD BE USED.
the change in cross-section for prestress
effects. Their only effect on moments and FOR DEFLECTIONS, MODEL AS BANDS TYPICALLY,
deflections is through the column stiffness. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES IN ULS DESIGN, MINIMUM MOMENT
(Refer RAPT manual 7.1.3). See page 12 for CAPACITY MAY GOVERN AND HENCE THE DESIGNER
SHOULD SPECIFY THAT TRANSVERSE "BEAMS" BE USED
comments on minimum cracking moment INSTEAD IN THE ULS CASE.
reinforcement.

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 This is to define any penetrations and
setdowns through slab or beam
vertically.

Generally flexible for

typical cases.

This is to define any folds (top step

or bottom step) along the slab or
beam being designed.

Can set both horizontal and vertical

steps. Using the horizontal step tool as
opposed to adding voids (above) makes
modifying runs easier.

Page 6 of 14
Need to add/define 2 typical load
cases, i.e. Initial Dead Load for
SDL and Live Load for LL as per Highlight load case
the project brief/criteria to add or define
loads assigned to
that load case
Left click this window to
activate "Add load case" +
button as shown above.

Left click this window to

activate buttons to define
loads as shown above.

Page 7 of 14
Discuss/agree with the project leader regarding locations of any CJs/TMJs before proceeding with slab/beam design. This will in turn define the tendon end
stressing (one or both ends stressing). Refer general guide below regarding maximum and minimum tendon lengths.
Adjust cover to tendons if conventional bars are required
above and below tendons.

Utilise this balancing tool to work out roughly No. of tendons or Following the initial tendon requirements
Spacing and associated Drapes required to balance typically by balancing, further adjustment is
100% (SW + SDL) of the structure (as per below table) expected to optimise the design technically
Add tendons using of these and practically. Tendon drapes or profiles
options with consideration for can be manually adjusted in "Adopted
tendon lengths and location Profiles" table as shown below.
of live end.

Tendon drapes are measured to the

centroid of the tendon BUT for
practical reasons, high points and low
points to be specified/shown on
structural drawings are bar chair
heights which are measured from
slab soffit to the underside of the
tendon ducts, approx. these heights
- 10mm

Tendon profile before balancing As a general guide for maximum (primary) tendon
lengths (which are limited by prestress losses):
Typically, 30-32m max for Single end stressing and
>32m double end stressing (use double live ends
only where necessary but this is usually controlled by
pour sizes). For distribution/slab-on-ground tendons,
the maximum lengths can be up to 50-55m single
end stressing.
Minimum tendon lengths usually about 6m
Tendon profile after balancing (otherwise draw-in losses become excessive).

Page 8 of 14
 14
WORKED EXAMPLE OF LOAD BALANCING,
EFFECTIVE PRESTRESS AND ASSUMED LOSSES

 Level of prestress / load to be balanced

 Equivalent upward load exerted by cable on concrete, w = 8Ph/L2

 QE II Carpark example:
h = 300 – top cover – btm cover
 SW = 40.3 kN/m = 300 – 50 – 25 = 225mm Effective Prestress
% jacking force = 85
 0.7 x SW to be balanced % losses = 30
 Prestress, P = 0.7 x 40.3 x 8.22 / (8 x 0.225 x 0.595) 0.7 x .85 = 0.595
= 1779.9 kN
= 2-5S12 - (S12 breaking load = 184 kN)
 Use this button for RAPT designed
reinforcement.
This can be used after running the analysis
when appropriate to incorporate the effect of Add user defined reinforcement. This reinforcement will be
reinforcement in final check. considered in both serviceability and ultimate checks by RAPT.

Percentage of full bar development in tension and

compression

eg. N12-200 100% developed at eg. N16-200 50% developed at lap

lap
RAPT does NOT iterate the design
after it has determined the Where reinforcement is to be lapped, do not show
reinforcement requirements. Only laps as overlapping bars, draw bars touching and
user defined is considered for then define reinforcement development as above
deflection calculations.

Lap

Page 9 of 14
 DESIGNER TO CHECK THIS VALUE WITH PROJECT LEADER.
NOTE THIS IS ESSENTIALLY A "RESTRAINT" FUDGE IN RAPT. FOR
LOW RESTRAINT SUCH AS PT TOWER PLATES, 0.8-1.0 IS
ACCEPTABLE. HOWEVER, FOR FULLY RC SLABS (NO PT) OR
PODIUM/BASEMENT WHERE HIGH RESTRAINT IS PRESENT, THEN
DEFAULT 0.6 MAY BE MORE APPROPRIATE (EXCEPT FOR TRANSFER
BEAMS, WHICH CAN BE 1.0)

TABLE 6.9.5.3
DISTRIBUTION OF BENDING MOMENTS TO THE COLUMN STRIP

This is only activated for Bending moment under consideration Strength limit state Serviceability limit state

two-way slab design. Table Negative moment at an interior support 0.60 to 1.00 0.75

6.9.5.3 is extracted from Negative moment at an exterior support with 0.75 to 1.00 0.75
spandrel beam
AS3600-2009 and input in the
Negative moment at an exterior support 0.75 to 1.00 1.0
example above can be adopted without spandrel beam
as a starting point in design. Positive moment at all spans 0.50 to 0.70 0.6

As per project brief/critieria

LEAVE EVERYTHING ELSE AS DEFAULT

change default value Select appropriate
0 to 1.33 to limit degree of crack
minimum reo control (e.g. minor
degree for interior
apartment, moderate
for podium car park,
etc.)

Set limits for bar stresses if you wish

RAPT to add reinforcement to maintain
this limit. RAPT will allow bar stresses
higher than the code if not set here!
Alternatively, check bar stress
Page 10 of 14 manually be referring to Flexural
Design-Service.
CHECK NO. 1: DEFLECTION CHECK

LOOK OUT FOR WARNINGS AND

READ THEM

Page 11 of 14
 CHECK NO. 2: FLEXURAL DESIGN
WxL2 / 9 for 2 spans WxL2 / 9 for 2 spans
WxL2 / 10 for > 2 spans WxL2 / 11 WxL2 / 11 WxL2 / 10 for > 2 spans

BENDING
Note: If 100% column MOMENT
stiffness, check DIAGRAM
against minimum
moment in column
design.

WxL2 / 11 WxL2 / 11

1.15WxL/2 WxL/2 WxL/2 1.15WxL/2

SHEAR
FORCE
DIAGRAM

Use of transverse "band" beams often

produces extra reinforcement to cater for
minimum moments to code. In reality, actual
design moments at this location is less than
the capacity of the slab not accounting for
the transverse beam and additional
reinforcement is often unnecessary. FLEXURAL
REINF. in
mm2
(excluding any user
defined bars)

FLEXURAL
REINF. in
No. of bars

AIM TO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR

BOTTOM BARS IN SLAB DESIGN BY
ADJUSTING TENDON PROFILE AND/OR
Page 12 of 14 LATERAL DISTRIBUTION FOR 2-WAY SLAB.
CHECK NO. 3: SHEAR DESIGN

CHECK SHEAR FOR BEAM

CHECK PUNCHING SHEAR FOR SLAB, PARTICULARLY FLAT SLAB/FLAT PLATE

Beware, RAPT does not include any

user defined 'voids' near columns for FURTHER MANUAL CHECKS ARE USUALLY
punching shear checks. Where REQUIRED TO VERIFY AND DETAIL DIFFERENT
services are located adjacent to OPTIONS (E.G. SHEAR LIGS, STUD RAILS, ETC.)
columns, punching shear shall be Page 13 of 14
checked manually. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT P/A AVAILABLE.
5 THINGS TO DO DURING AND AFTER RAPT RUNS:

1. THE KEY TO PT DESIGN IS BALANCING DEAD LOAD, TYPICALLY 100% (SW + SDL) WHERE SDL ~ 1kPa, BY PROVIDING
TENDON DRAPES IN SIMILAR MANNER AS BENDING MOMENT DIAGRAM (NOTE THAT OVER BALANCING COULD LEAD TO
PROBLEMS AT TRANSFER). AS SUCH, THE ENGINEER SHOULD BE ABLE DRAW BENDING MOMENT ON A FREE BODY
DIAGRAM OF THE FRAME MEMBER BEING DESIGNED IN ORDER TO CONTROL AND OPTIMISE THE DESIGN EFFICIENTLY.

2. FOR 2-WAY ACTION, CUMMULATIVE DEFLECTION NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED,

I.E. TOTAL DEFLECTION OF A BAY = DEFLECTION OF COLUMN STRIP IN ONE DIRECTION + DEFLECTION OF MIDDLE STRIP
IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. ONE-WAY SLAB AND BAND BEAM SYSTEM IS SIMILAR. NOTE THAT EQUIVALENT FRAME
METHOD IN RAPT IS CONSERVATIVE AND REFINEMENT IS POSSIBLE IN RAMCONCEPT.

3. SANITY CHECKS ON RAPT OUTPUT TO AVOID "RUBBISH IN RUBBISH OUT".

SIMPLE SANITY CHECKS CAN BE DONE ON MAXIMUM NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE BENDING MOMENT OR SHEAR
E.G.
NEGATIVE MOMENT AT FIRST INTERIOR SUPPORT = WxL2 / 9 FOR 2 SPANS AND WxL2 / 10 FOR > 2 SPANS.
POSITIVE MOMENT IN AN END SPAN = WxL2 / 11

4. QUICK CHECKS TO MAKE SURE SLAB/BEAM CAN BE EFFICIENTLY DESIGNED BY LIMITING THE CONTROLLING FACTOS
BASED ON THE MAXIMUM MOMENT OR SHEAR AS ESTIMATED ABOVE,
- LEVEL OF PRESTRESS, P/A > 1.4MPa BUT AROUND 2-2.5 MPa MAX FOR SLAB AND 3-3.5 MPa FOR BEAM.
- CHECK DUCTILITY OR BENDING STRESS:
k = M* / bd2 < 4MPa to 5MPa MAX FOR f'c = 32MPa to 40MPa
- CHECK SHEAR STRESS:
v = V* / bd < 3MPa MAX FOR BEAM f'c = 32MPa to 40MPa
v = V* / bd < 1MPa MAX FOR SLAB/BAND f'c = 32MPa to 40MPa

5. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, CHECK TO MAKE SURE REO RATES ARE WITHIN TARGET OR TENDER RATES. CHECK WITH
PROJECT LEADER IF TARGET REO RATES ARE NOT PROVIDED OR NOT AVAILABLE. TYPICAL TARGET REO RATES ARE AS
FOLLOWS:
- FOR FULLY POST-TENSIONED FLAT PLATES OR FLAT SLABS:
PT = 4.5 to 6.5 kg/m2 (NOTING THE UNIT DIFFERENT TO REINFORCEMENT RATE)
REINFORCEMENT = 45 to 60 kg/m3
- FOR FULLY POST-TENSIONED PT BANDS AND RC SLABS:
PT = SHOULD CALL UP SPECIFIALLY NO. OF PT ON PLANS
REINFORCEMENT = 80 to 100 kg/m3
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