Form: Design Preferences
Use the Design menu > Design Preferences command to access the Design Preferences form and set the design preferences for slab and beam objects.
Note: The Design Preferences form also displays when the Design Preferences Modify/Show button on the New Model Initialization form is clicked.
Code tab. SAFE completes analysis and design in accordance with the code selected here. The program default is ACI 318-08. Select another code from the drop-down list if desired.
Resistance Factors: Modify the default resistance factors as necessary by typing directly in the edit boxes. For American and Canadian codes, these are Phi factors, while for most other codes, these are typically Gamma values.
Min. Cover Slabs tab. Modify the default top and bottom clear covers for the slab mild reinforcement, and the CGS at different locations for the slab post-tensioning tendons by typing directly in the edit boxes. SAFE applies the clear cover specified to the outer layer and assumes that the inner layer is located directly inside the outer layer for both top and bottom rebar. Layer B is the default inner layer, but this can be changed to Layer A by clicking on the drop-down list. Select the preferred bar size (non-prestressed) for slab reinforcing from the drop-down list. This cover will be used for all design strips unless a different value is specified for selected strips using the Design menu > Slab Design Overwrites command.
Min. Cover Beams tab. Modify the top and bottom clear covers for beam mild reinforcement, and the CGS locations for the post-tensioning tendons by typing directly in the edit boxes. Select the preferred bar sizes (non-prestressed) for flexural and shear reinforcing from the drop-down lists. This cover will be used only on selected beams if the From Preferences option was chosen using the Design menu > Beam Design Overwrites command.
P/T Stress Check tab. Modify the default concrete strength ratio at transfer; the initial, final, and sustained allowable tensile and compressive stress factors; and the fraction of sustained live load to be considered. The default values initially displayed are specific to the Design Code shown on the Code tab. A change to the Design Code will reinitialize the default values shown on the P/T Stress Check tab.
See Also