Form: Slab/Mat Detailing Preferences
Use the Detailing menu > Slab/Mat Reinforcing Preferences command to set how slabs should be detailed and displayed in the detailing drawings.
Note: It is recommended that the Slab Preferences be set before detailing the model. If the detailing has already been run and changes to the slab detailing preferences are made, when detailing is re-run the program will prompt the user to (a) run the detailing and generate a new set of drawings or (b) synchronize the detailing and update only the items on the existing drawings that are affected by the detailing changes.
Click the Detailing menu > Slab/Mat Reinforcing Preferences command to access the Slab/Mat Detailing Preferences form.
General and Display tab. This tab has options to set preferences for rebar curtailment and the rebar detailing and calls.
Rebar Curtailment Options - Use these options to determine rebar length and location.
Apply Curtailment Rules: When this option is selected, the program computes the size and number of required bars at critical locations (top of support and mid span and so forth). It then checks the minimum and maximum number of bars and spacing and the like. A theoretical cut off location is determined for each bar and a development length/overlap length is added. The curtailment location is then computed based on the specified rules, and the governing bar location and length are selected. Click the Modify/Show Rules button to display the Slab Rebar Curtailment Rules form, and where necessary, modify the current curtailment rules. The rules are initialized based on the program defaults.
Reinforcement Extent Based on Design Only: When this option is selected, the program determines the bar location and length based solely on the reinforcement computed from analysis and design, including the development length and overlaps.
Note: Using the Reinforcement Extent Based on Design Only option may produce reinforcement layout quite different from the Apply Curtailment Rules option where curtailment rules are used together with computed reinforcement. This option should be used with caution and when manual checking and editing of reinforcement is expected.
Note: The rebar location and length determined by the program using these preferences can be modified using the Detailing menu > Edit Reinforcement > Slabs/Mats command.
Rebar Detailing Options
Show All Bars. When this option is selected, the program will compute and display the size, location, and length of all rebar based on analysis and design results.
Show Additional Bars Above Typical. When this option is selected, the program will compute and display rebar required over and above typical bars.
Typical Bars Along Layer A and Typical Bars Along Layer B. Use the Bar Size drop-down lists and Spacing edit boxes to specify bar sizes and spacing for the additional top and bottom bars for the individual layers.
Note: The typical bars are not shown on the drawings but a note is added in the plan views. Typical bars also are not included in the Rebar Table, Rebar Schedule, and BOQ.
Slab Sections. The program can place section lines in the plan automatically and generate section views at that location by default. The Section Label Style and the number of default sections in each direction (Section in Each Direction) can be specified here. When new drawings are generated, the program automatically places these section views on the drawings. When the Show Bars Cut by Section check box is checked, bars running perpendicular to the slab section cuts will be shown in the slab section cut component views.
Note: Section lines can be modified/added or deleted using the Detailing menu > Add Modify Sections > Slabs/Mats command.
Rebar Calls Include. Use the options in this area to specify the information to be displayed for each rebar call.
Note: The format of the Bars Calls Options can be specified using the Bar Mark option on the Detailing Preferences form, which is accessed using the Detailing menu > Detailing Preferences command.
Rebar Selection tab. Use the options on this tab to specify rebar size, number, spacing, and length.
Rebar Selection Rules
Smallest Bar Size: This is the minimum size of reinforcing bar used for slab detailing. Any bar can be set as the minimum size for detailing depending on the availability of the bar and the project requirements.
Largest Bar Size: This is the largest size of reinforcing bar used for slab detailing. Logically, this size should be larger than or equal to the smallest bar size. If this size is accidentally/erroneously set lower than the smallest bar size, no detailing will take place and the rebar layout will not be generated. Any bar size greater than or equal to the smallest bar size can be used as the largest bar size.
Min. Number of Bars: Use this option to control the number of bars to be provided within top and bottom rebar location. Specifying a very large number may result in unrealistic detailing output.
Max. Excess Area (%): This property can be set to make the design more economical. Usually during detailing some excess area of reinforcing is used. This excess area can, however, be limited by choosing the appropriate bar sizes through intelligent decision making. Specifying a value less than 10% may result in incomplete selection, whereas specifying a value of more than 25% may result in uneconomical selection.
Min./Max. Spacing of Bars: The minimum and maximum bar spacing limitations are defined in the structural design codes. The Min Spacing value is used to control the selection of bar sizes. If the computed spacing is less than this value, the next higher bar size is selected. The Max Spacing option provides additional control on bar selection; however, this value is ignored if it is more than the limit specified in the Design Code.
Smallest Bar Length: If the computed bar length is less than this value, the bar length is extended to meet this criterion. Specifying a very large value may result in improper detailing output.
Note: Specifying a very narrow range of bars sizes may result in unexpected detailing output.
Preferred Rebar Sizes. These options are used in conjunction with the Rebar Selection Rules. With the addition of these options, several combinations of rebar sizes and spacing can be specified for a given amount of reinforcement. The program attempts to select the bar size matching with the preferred bar sizes specified here. The preferred bar sizes can be specified separately for top and bottom bars in columns and middle strips.
Note: The preferred bar size may be overruled by other options and rules.
Enforce User Minimum Reinforcement check box. Check this check box to enable the options to modify reinforcement for slabs.
User Minimum Reinforcement - Slabs: Although the requirement of minimum reinforcement as specified in the Design Code have already been included in the required reinforcement, the user can specify higher amounts of minimum reinforcement using the value in the Column Strip, Top (%), Column Strip Bot (%), Middle Strip Top (%) and Middle Strip bot (%) edit boxes. The values are percentages of concrete area at critical locations in the rebar strip.
User Minimum Reinforcement - Waffles and Ribs: Unlike the User Minimum Reinforcement - Slab, which is specified in percentage, the minimum reinforcement in ribs and waffle can be specified directly in terms of number of bars and bar size.
Rebar Around Openings options. Additional bars can be provided around openings. Use these parameters to specify the bar size and number of bars on each edge of an opening as well as the bar extension into the slab. Bars are not provided for openings smaller than 18 inches (450 mm).