RCDC SOFTWARE compiled by V.M.

RAJAN
*****
INTRODUCTION
RCDC is a RCC Design, detailing, drawing and documentation software.
The following elements can be designed in RCDC
1. Slabs
2. Beams
3. Columns and shear walls
4. Open footings
5.
Pile cap.
The salient features of RCDC are:
1. Import analysis data directly from popular analysis engines. The analysis engines
supported are a. Staad Pro (*.std file), b. E-tabs (*.mdb file),
2. Design Code Included in RCDC are
a. Indian Standard IS 456, IS13920
c. Singapore Standard CP 65

b. British Standard BS 8110

3. The following data is read by RCDC

a. Member and node geometry, b. Member section properties and orientation.
c. Load case and combination data, d. Member forces for all basic load cases,
4. Post reading the data the softwares in-built intelligence allows it to automatically
detect the following geometrical conditions:
a. Detection of all slabs (enclosed regions) in a plan, even though slabs not
modelled.
b. Beam continuity and set of continuous beams at a level.
c. Vertical continuum of columns and walls.
d. Identification of all columns that will have a footing.
5. User can set all design parameters and design & detail all elements at the touch
of a button
6. User can edit the detailing suggested and alter the specific design of any one
member by selecting the same
7. Post finalization of the design and detailing process the engineer can generate a
number of text and drawing reports
a. Drawing Outputs:
i. Layout Drawings.
ii. Detailed drawings in the form of elevations and cross sections/GA drawing
iii. In plan detailing for slabs and footings
iv. Text schedules

b. Text reports:
i. Detailed design calculation reports
ii. Design summary
iii. Bill of Quantities (3 formats)
iv. Other element specific text reports.
Linking with STAAD PRO
RCDC can link to and directly import all data from an analysis model analyzed in
STAAD Pro.
1. RCDC links directly to *.std file, user has to just select this file.
2. Linking to STAAD Pro is managed by means of the Open Staad functionality
provided by STAAD.
3. Complementary versions of Open Staad are part of the STAAD Pro installation.
4. No other settings need to be made in STAAD Pro for the analysis file to be
compatible with RCDC .
Linking with E-tabs
RCDC links with E-tabs by reading the *.mdb (Microsoft data base) file that is
created by E-tabs. The following procedure is to be used to create the *.mdb file.
Pre analysis settings:
The following settings need to be done in E-tabs before performing analysis for the
data to be compatible with RCDC.
1. Select all beams and make the number of minimum output stations as 13.

2. Select all columns and make the number of minimum output stations as 3.
3. From frame section properties delete all sections that you are not using.
4. From load combinations delete all combinations that you do not wish to use.
5. Only combinations of the type ADD are recognized by RCDC, please delete any
other type of combination.
6. In case you have defined a spectrum load case, make sure that you have used it
in a load combination as
well. If not an error will be returned.
7. Load combinations and basic load cases should have unique names.
8. All individual rectangular piers should have a unique Pier Label.
Exporting data from E-tabs post analysis:
1. Go to File Export

2. In the export as access database window select the following

3 All input data i.e Model Definition

4 Depending upon what you are designing select Column forces or Beam Forces or
Pier forces. You can create multiple filter files with the pertinent data. Selecting only
a given type of element reduces the size of the mdb and the data files created.
5 Select all basic load cases in the setting Select Cases / Combos. It is not
essential to select the load combinations as RCDC reads only the definition of the
combinations and not the forces for the same. The forces for the combinations are
computed during design time.

6 Do not select the option Selection Only.

Importing Material Property and Loading from E-Tabs

RCDC can import the following from an E-tabs file:
1. Slabs
a. Loading
b. Thickness
c. Concrete Grade
d. Steel Grade
2. Beams, columns and piers
a. Concrete Grade
b. Steel grade
Slab Loading and Properties
The slab material properties and thickness is read from the Wall/Slab/Deck
Sections setting in E-tabs.

The slab loading is read from the assignments made to the slab.
Imposed loads = Dead Load + Super Dead Load
Live Loads = Live load + Reducible live load

Reading Material Properties

Material properties for all elements are read from the name of the Material
defined in E-tabs.
To define a concrete grade, name the material as M20, M30, etc.
To define a concrete grade and steel grade, name the material as M20FE500. This
indicates section with M20 concrete grade and Fe500 steel grade.
Different concrete grades can be applied to different members. Beams at a given
level can also have different concrete grades.
Material properties will be read only when they have been defined for all members
as per the above definition.
The material properties used for maximum number of members will be displayed in
RCDC.
Within RCDC user will have the option to override the material properties read from
the analysis file.

File Types
All files created and saved in RCDC, will have the extension *.rcdx
User can open the file by directly clicking on it.
Export/Import Project Setting
Whenever a Project File (rcdx) file is saved project settings are additionally stores in
rcps (RCDC Project Settings)
The setting file can be used to import settings from one file to another options
available are as follows.

same design element

Footing
Import General Settings and Reinforcement settings.
Column
Import General Settings and Reinforcement settings.
Beam
Import General Settings and Reinforcement settings.
Slab
Import Design parameter.
Pilecap
Import General Settings and Reinforcement settings.
Drawing Styles :
To import Drawing Style the selected project should be of the same design element.
Load Combination:
The option is available to all design element except slab.

Grid Lines:
To import grid lines the selected project should be of the same analysis file.
Update Analysis File
RCDC allows user to change the dimensions of any member and re-design. These
changes are listed in the "Member Properties Changed" report.
The *.std for STAAD Pro and the *.$et or *.e2k file will be updated by RCDC.
User can select the analysis file to be updated and RCDC will create the updated file
with a revision number appended to the name of the file.
Import From PlanWin
User can import data from Framewin (blw) file into its corresponding rcdx file.
INTRODUCTION

Data Imported is as follows

Footing
Column Name, Beam Name.
Column
Column Name, Beam Name.
Beam
Column Name, Beam Name.
Slab
Slab mark, Thickness, cut out, Column Name, Beam Name.
Pilecap
Column Name.
Grid Lines
To View/Create Grid Lines

Member Number Portability

User can import data from rcdx file into its corresponding rcdx file. This option is
accessible after creating a new project or
opening an existing project in Predesign Mode Only.
The feature will Import only specific Information as required.
In Footing
Import Column Size and Colum Mark.
In Beam
Import Column Size and Column Mark.
In Slab
Import Beam Size and Mark.
Import Column Size and Mark..

Footing Schedule

BEAM ELEATION

SLOPED FOOTING & STEPPED FOOTING

STAIRCASE SECTION

Shear Wall Details for Marina Apt

RCDC USING STAAD PRO

RCDC BEAM DETAILING :
Step 1:
Open STAAD RCDC either by double click on its icon in Desktop or From Start

Menu
Step 2:
You can see the following screen

Following are the options are available:

Open Project : To open the recently worked files.
New Project : To create a New Project.
Analysis Data : To import the files from various softwares.
Step 3:
For Beam Detailing:
For New Project, fill details under New project such as Project, Client, Engineer.

Select Design Code: IS code

Click

button in Analysis Data to browse the Project choosen from the

required file STAAD .std from your Laptop/ Computer folder. The select the required
Element from Design Element. Here Choose Beam. Select Level height 3.0m (i.e.
Floor Height) under Levels Click Create New Project.

You will see the Following screen.

In the above Diagram, You can see the Beam numbers and its sizes on the left side
and the Floor Beam layout on the right side.
Step 4:
Main menu Settings General And Reinforcement. The following screen will
appear. Make necessary changes in the screen as follows:

Design settings:
Tick Check box Ignore Torsion.
Value less than : 20 KN.m.
Material Properties:
Concrete grade :
Steel grade
:
Clear cover
:
Max.Metal 2 size :
Rebar Settings:

M30
Fe 415
25 mm
12mm.

Main Steel dia:

Minimum
: 12 mm
Maximum
: 25mm
Shear Steel Dia:
Minimum
Maximum

: 8 mm
: 12mm

Stirrup spacing :
Minimum
: 100mm
Maximum
: 200 mm Ok.
Step 5:
Main menu Settings Rebar curtailment
Top steel curtailment Location :
End support: L/4

Continuous support : L/4

Bottom steel curtailment Location:

Mid span : L/6 End support: L/6

Continuous support : L/6 Ok.

Step 6:
Main menu Settings Preferred Bar spacing Ok. (If you want to accommodate
more bars in a row change default settings, Otherwise click Ok.)

Step 7:
Main menu Settings Basic Load cases.
For Analysis Load cases click and select the appropriate load cases from the drop
down menu and send the selected Load cases to the right side by selecting >>
button and then click Ok.

Now you can see the Load Cobmination Dialog box. Click Add from Analysis
button of the box. You will see the varios Load Combination choosen. Click OK to
accept.

Step 8:
Main menu Design Auto Design or Click
screen will appear.

button icon. The following

Here You can see the Top and Bottom layer Reinforcement details like diameter and
number of bars, Shear Reinforcement details like diameter and spacing of stirrups.

Note:
In case of any beam fails, it will indicated in Red mark. For modification Main
menuModify Redesign Beam. Then a dialog box will appear. Change the Beam
size or reinforcement. Click redesign.
Step 9:
Main menu Report Elevation and Section

Select required Beam numbers, Elevation, Cross Section and Curtailment detail and
Click OK.

Typical Longitudinal section and Cross Section of Beam B4 is shown in the above
drawing. Likewise you can see the reinforcement details for all Beams in the
structure in Autocad drawing format. You can edit the drawing as per requirement.
Save and Exit from the Software.
Similarly you can also the reinforcement details of entire structure detail in Text
form Go to Main menu Report Text Schedule Ok.

RCDC - COLUMN DETAILING

Step 1:
Open STAAD RCDC either by double click on its icon in Desktop or From Start

Menu
Step 2:
You can see the following screen

Following are the options are available:

Open Project : To open the recently worked files.
New Project : To create a New Project.
Analysis Data : To import the files from various softwares.
Step 3:
For Column Detailing:
For New Project, fill details under New project such as Project, Client, Engineer.
Select Design Code: IS code
Click

button in Analysis Data to browse the Project choosen from the

required file STAAD .std from your Laptop/ Computer folder. The select the required
Element from Design Element. Here Choose Column & Wall. Select Click Create

New Project.

You will see the following screen.

In the above Diagram, at the choosen level, You can see the column numbers and
Concrete Grade, Steel grade, cover for varios levels of column on the left side and
the Column layout with Grid dimensions, Column marking number are indicated on
the right side for the particular level selected. (Here 3.0m level is selected)
Step 4:
Main menu Settings Design settings. Select required parameter and then click

OK.

Main menu Settings Reinforcement Settings . The following screen will

appear. Make necessary changes in the screen as follows:

Column % Steel:
Minimum

: 0.8

Maximum

:4

Column Bar Diameter :

Minimum

: 12

Maximum

: 25

Ok.

Step 5:
Main menu Settings Basic Load cases.
For Analysis Load cases click and select the appropriate load cases from the drop
down menu and send the selected Load cases to the right side by selecting >>
button and then click Ok.

Now you can see the Load Cobmination Dialog box. Click Add from Analysis
button of the box. You will see the varios Load Combination choosen. Click OK to
accept.

Step 6 :
Main menu Design Auto Design or Click

button icon. The following

screen will appear.

Here you will see the results like Main Reinforcement & Stirrups details for all
Column on all levels.

Note:
In case of any column fails, it will indicated in Red mark. For modification Go to
Main menuModify Redesign Column. Then a dialog box will appear. Change the
column size or reinforcement. Click redesign.
Step 7:
Main menu Report Detailed drawings

Select all Column numbers and Click OK.

Typical Column section with reinforcement detail is shown in the above

drawing. Likewise you can see the reinforcement details for all columns in the
structure. Save and Exit from the Software.

Similarly you can also the reinforcement details of entire structure detail in Text
form by Main menu Report Text Schedule Ok.
If you see the design calculation for the column design
Main menu Report Design calculations Ok.
RCDC SLAB DESIGN
Step 1:
Open STAAD RCDC either by double click on its icon in Desktop or From Start

Menu
Step 2:
You can see the following screen

Following are the options are available:

Open Project : To open the recently worked files.
New Project : To create a New Project.
Analysis Data : To import the files from various softwares.
Step 3:
For Slab Detailing:
For New Project, fill details under New project such as Project, Client, Engineer.

Select Design Code: IS code

Click

button in Analysis Data to browse the Project choosen from the

required file STAAD .std from your Laptop/ Computer folder. The select the required
Element from Design Element. Here Choose Slab . Select Level height 3.0m (i.e.
Floor Height) under Levels Click Create New Project.

You will see the Following screen.

RCDC reads the Beam- Column geometry from the analysis file and identifies all

closed regions as Slabs. The Slab marks,Span Type and the Panel type of slab is
also calculated for each slab and displayed.
Step 4:
Main menu Settings Design Parameters OK.

Change required values in the above screen if any .

Step 5:
Give Imposed Load as 1.0 KN/m2 and Live Load as 2.0 KN/m2 in the design Data
Screen displayed.

Note: Any openings or Staircase, lift portion will be marked as cutout.

Step 6:
Main menu Design Auto Design or Click

Step 7:
Main menuReport General arrangement plan

button to see the following :

Main menu Report Text Schedule

Main menu Report Plan detailing. Click Bottom Reinforcement

Click Top Reinforcement