Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Foreword
This 4th edition or version 4 of the User Guide to the RC Spreadsheets is intended to be read as an addendum
to the version 3 publication[1] published in July 2006. This 4th edition covers revisions to the Eurocode series of
spreadsheets (produced by The Concrete Centre) that have proved necessary following publication of amendment
AMD 1 to the UK National Annex to Eurocode 2 in December 2009 and subsequent withdrawal of BS 8110
in March 2010. It also formally introduces five new spreadsheets in the Eurocode series and gives additional
commentary on others.
RC-spreadsheets:v4 is intended to help with the rapid production of clear and accurate design calculations for
reinforced concrete elements to both Eurocode 2 and BS 8110-1:1997.
The first version of this publication and the spreadsheets were produced by the Reinforced Concrete Council (RCC).
Since its release in 2000 the spreadsheets have proved enormously popular and have been maintained by the RCC
and its successor, The Concrete Centre.
Acknowledgements
The ideas and illustrations come from many sources. The help and guidance received from many individuals are
gratefully acknowledged.
Thanks are due to members of the original projects Advisory Group for their time and effort in helping to make the
project feasible and in bringing it to fruition. The members of the Advisory Group are listed on the inside back cover.
TCC55X Axial Column Shortening (24 storeys) was sponsored by Adams Kara Taylor.
Contents
User Guide to
RC Spreadsheets: v4
(Addendum to v3)
Contents
CONTENTS IN FULL AND LOCATION OF GUIDANCE
INTRODUCTION
GENERAL NOTES
11
11
TCC22 FE Assistant
12
14
16
21
24
REFERENCES
27
v4
INTRODUCTION
GENERAL NOTES
10
Menu.xls
179
181
Elements
185
194
196
201
Analysis
TCC22 FE Assistant
Slabs
208
214
221
228
237
Beams
243
249
256
264
Columns
270
276
278
280
282
10*
14
Walls
16
21
Stairs
284
Foundations
287
291
Tabular versions
* Amendment
2
16
SPREADSHEETS TO EUROCODE 2
11
9*
11
205
12
9*
24
User Guide
v3
SPREADSHEETS TO BS 8110
v4
17
Elements
19
26
28
33
Analysis
35
Slabs
38
43
50
56
64
Beams
72
78
85
107
Columns
113
118
120
123
Walls
125
132
Stairs
139
142
Foundations
146
149
Tabular versions
158
161
166
173
175
ADMIN FOLDER
298
299
27
Introduction
The RC spreadsheets were originally produced
under the Reinforced Concrete Councils project,
Spreadsheets for concrete design to BS 8110 and EC2.
They were released in January 2000 and have been
maintained and extended by the RCC and its successor
The Concrete Centre. They continue to be supported by
The Concrete Centre.
Version 4 of the User Guide covers version 4 of
the spreadsheets. The Concrete Centre series
of spreadsheets have been updated in line with
amendment 1 of the UK National Annex to Eurocode 2
in December 2009. Whilst BS 8110 was withdrawn by
BSI early in 2010, it was recognised that some projects
and indeed some practitioners may wish to continue
using this standard in the short to medium term. Thus
the RCC series of spreadsheets have been updated and
are reissued.
In 2006, the introduction of Eurocode 2[2], its
National Annex and Amendment of BS 8110:1997[3]
necessitated the revision of all the spreadsheets
produced to that date and the publication of version 3
of the User Guide. The third edition of the User Guide
provided guidance on the use of all spreadsheets
produced to July 2006.
The vast majority of version 3 of the User Guide
remains valid and the decision was made that
version 4 should take the form of an addendum
to version 3. Therefore only those areas that are
significantly different or new are contained in version
4. For instance, version 4 formally introduces five new
spreadsheets to the Eurocodes. Detailed descriptions
of the majority of spreadsheets will be found in version
3 of the User Guide.
For the experienced engineer, the spreadsheets allow
the rapid production of clear and accurate design
calculations. The spreadsheets allow younger users to
understand concrete design and help them to gain
experience by studying their own what if scenarios. The
individual user should be able to answer his/ her own
questions by chasing through the cells to understand
the logic used. Cells within each spreadsheet can be
interrogated and can have their formulae checked
and values traced. The original spreadsheets reflected
a consensus of opinion on several design issues.
The version 3 Eurocode 2 spreadsheets reflected
a consensus of opinion of a limited number of
engineers. Version 4 Eurocode spreadsheets benefit
from a few years use - students and young engineers
may follow the model calculations presented in the
spreadsheets to form an understanding of current
reinforced concrete design.
Version 2.x
The version 2.x released in 2003[4] introduced new
spreadsheets to BS 8110, to the more finalised EN
1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2) and an overarching menu
spreadsheet. Previously issued spreadsheets to BS
8110 were updated.
Introduction
The new spreadsheets introduced were:
Menu
BS 8110
RCC31R Rigorous One-way Slabs
RCC32R Rigorous Ribbed Slabs
RCC41R Rigorous Continuous Beams
RCC43 Wide Beams (A&D)
RCC54 Circular Column Design
RCC82 Pilecap Design
Eurocode 2
RCCen11 Element Design
RCCen12 Bending and Axial Force
RCCen13 Punching Shear
RCCen14 Crack Width
RCCen21 Subframe analysis
RCCen31 One-way Solid Slabs (A & D)
RCCen31R Rigorous* One-way Solid Slabs
Version 4
The release of version 4 of the spreadsheets follows
the publication of amendment AMD 1 of the UK
National Annex to Eurocode 2 to BS EN 1992-1-1
(Eurocode 2)[2] Whilst BS 8110 was withdrawn by BSI
early in 2010, it was recognised that some projects and
indeed some practitioners may wish to continue using
this standard in the short to medium term. Thus the
RCC series of spreadsheets have been updated and are
reissued. The opportunity has been taken to formally
introduce new spreadsheets as follows:
Eurocode 2
TCC15 Resistance of Axially Loaded Walls/slabs
TCC22 FE Assistant
Version 3
The release of version 3 of the spreadsheets followed
the publication of BS EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2)[2]
and the UK National Annex and the publication
of Amendment 3 to BS 8110 Part 1: 1987. The
requirements within these documents necessitated the
revision of all previously published spreadsheets. The
opportunity was taken to introduce new spreadsheets
as follows:
BS 8110
RCC82 Pilecap Design
Eurocode 2
TCC33X Flat Slabs (Whole floor)
TCC41R Rigorous Continuous Beams
TCC42 Post-tensioned Slabs and Beams
(A&D) (b version)
TCC43 Wide Beams (A&D)
TCC54 Circular Column Charting
5
General notes
Managing the spreadsheets
Use
Spreadsheets can be a very powerful tool. Their use
has become increasingly common in the preparation
of design calculations. They save time, money and
effort. They provide the facility to optimise designs
and they can help instill experience. However, these
benefits have to be weighed against the risks associated
with any endeavour. These risks must be recognised
and managed. In other words appropriate levels of
supervision and checking, including self-checking, must,
as always, be exercised when using these spreadsheets.
Advantages
For the experienced engineer, the spreadsheets help
in the rapid production of clear and accurate design
calculations for reinforced concrete elements. The
contents are intended to be sufficient to allow the
design of low to medium-rise multi-storey concrete
framed buildings.
Spreadsheets allow users to gain experience by studying
their own what if scenarios. Should they have queries,
individual users should be able to answer their own
questions by chasing through the cells to understand
the logic used. Cells within each spreadsheet can be
interrogated, formulae checked and values traced.
Macleod[8] suggested that, in understanding structural
behaviour, doing calculations is probably not a great
advantage; being close to the results probably is.
Other benefits include quicker and more accurate
reinforcement estimates, and the possibilities for
electronic data interchange (EDI). Standardised, or at
least rationalised, designs make the checking process
easier and quicker.
Appropriate use
In its deliberations[9] the Standing Committee on
Structural Safety (SCOSS) noted the increasingly
wide-spread availability of computer programs and
circumstances in which their misuse could lead to
unsafe structures.
Liability
A fundamental condition of use is that the user
accepts responsibility for the input and output of the
computer and how it is used.
As with all software, users must be satisfied with the
answers these spreadsheets give and be confident
in their use. These spreadsheets can never be fully
validated but have been through Beta testing, both
formally and informally. However, users must satisfy
themselves that the uses to which the spreadsheets
are put are appropriate.
Control
Users and managers should be aware that spreadsheets
can be changed and must address change control
and versions for use. The flexibility and ease of use
of spreadsheets, which account for their widespread
popularity, also facilitate ad hoc and unstructured
approaches to their subsequent development.
Quality Assurance procedures may dictate that
spreadsheets are treated as controlled documents
and subject to comparison and checks with previous
methods prior to adoption. Users Quality Assurance
schemes should address the issue of changes. The
possibilities of introducing a companys own password
General Notes
to the spreadsheets and/ or extending the revision
history contained within the sheet entitled Notes!
might be considered.
Application
The spreadsheets have been developed with the
goal of producing calculations to show compliance
with codes. Whilst this is the primary goal, there is a
school of thought[9] that designers are primarily paid
for producing specifications and drawings that work
on site and are approved by clients and/ or checking
authorities. Producing calculations happens to be a
secondary exercise, regarded by many experienced
engineers as a hurdle on the way to getting the project
approved and completed. From a business process
point of view, the emphasis of the spreadsheets might,
in future, change to establishing compliance once
members, loads and details are known. Certainly this
may be the preferred method of use by experienced
engineers.
The spreadsheets have been developed with the ability
for users to input and use their own preferred material
properties, bar sizes and spacings, etc. However, user
preferences should recognise moves for efficiency
through standardisation.
Another long-term objective is automation. To this
end, spreadsheet contents might in future be arranged
so that input and output can be copied and pasted
easily by macros and/ or linked by the end-user. There
are counter arguments about users needing to be
closer to the calculations and results in order to ensure
they are properly considered see Appropriate use on
the previous page.
We emphasise that it is up to the user how he/ she uses
the output. The spreadsheets have been produced to
cater for both first-time users and the very experienced
without putting the first-time user off. Nonetheless,
their potential applications are innumerable.
Summary
With spreadsheets, long-term advantages and savings
come from repeated use but there are risks that
need to be managed. Spreadsheets demand an initial
investment in time and effort, but the rewards are
there for those who make the investment. Good design
requires sound judgement based on competence
derived from adequate training and experience, not
just computer programs.
For further general notes on use, familiarisation and
layout of the spreadsheets the user is urged to consult
the handbook to version 3, to which this booklet is an
addendum.
Fonts
Unless the appropriate fonts Tekton and Marker
(supplied in the CD-ROM) have been installed by the
user, the appearance on screen will be different from
that intended. These upright fonts have been used
to emulate a designers handwriting and to allow
adequate information to be shown across the page
and in each cell.
If problems are experienced it is most likely that the
fonts on your computer screen will have defaulted to
the closest approximation of the fonts intended (e.g.
the toolbar may say Tekton but a default font such as
Arial will have been used). The spreadsheets will work
but not as intended ends of words may be missing,
numbers may not fit cells resulting in a series of hashes,
#####. Column width and cell overlap problems only
occur when the correct fonts are not loaded.
It is strongly recommended that the Tekton and Marker
fonts are copied into your computers font library. The
Freeware fonts may be found in the Fonts folder on
the CD-ROM.
They may be copied in the following manner, either:
Start/Settings/Control Panel/Fonts/ File/ Add
Fonts and when asked copy fonts to system
directory? answer yes.
or
Through Microsoft Explorer and copying (or
dragging) the font files into your font library,
usually contained in Windows/ Set-up/ Fonts
Help
A printed copy of this User Guide is available from The
Concrete Bookshop www.concretebookshop.com. The
User Guide is also available as an Adobe Acrobat file
User Guide pdf (on the CD-ROM). A copy of Adobe
Acrobat Reader will be required to read this file.
Support
Any questions, comments, developments and
suggestions are welcomed. Please email them to
helpdesk@concretecentre.com.
Preference will be given to those who are registered,
as detailed above.
Availability/registration
The spreadsheets may not be used for commercial
purposes until the user has purchased and validated a
licence. Licences may be purchased from The Concrete
Bookshop www.concretebookshop.com or via The
Concrete Centre website. Licences may be validated
via www.concretecentre.com/rcspreadsheets. The
purchase price includes:
Permission to use the spreadsheets
for commercial purposes for at least one year
A hard copy of this publication and User Guide
to RC Spreadsheets: v3
CD-ROM containing RC Spreadsheets: v4,
together with Admin files, which themselves
contain fonts, issue sheets, user guide files etc.
Occasional e-mails to inform registrants of any
revisions or changes to the spreadsheets or
other relevant information
Details of how to download updates of the
spreadsheets
Preferential treatment with regard to support
Further information, updates, FAQs, free trial download
versions of some spreadsheets, latest news and other
information on the RC-Spreadsheet suite is available
on www.concretecentre.com/rcspreadsheets
Overseas use
The spreadsheets have been developed and maintained
for use within the UK. The Concrete Centre reserves the
right to pass details of non-UK registrants to any future
owner of the non-UK copyright or overseas distributor
of the spreadsheets.
Updates
Registrants will be provided with information on how
to download updates.
10
MAIN!
This single sheet contains of all of the main input for
materials and section data. Environmental details and
age at loading are also input as these are required
to calculate the creep factors that determine SLS
behaviour.
For the given parameters, moment and shear
resistances are given together with a value of the SLS
neutral axis depth, as this may affect the permissible
maximum crack with to BS EN 1992-3.
The chart at the bottom of this page shows resistance
curves for both the ultimate and service conditions.
TABLE!
On this sheet a table of resistances for varying
amounts of primary reinforcement can be generated
by clicking the macro button. A warning message
appears if the data displayed do not match those on
the MAIN! page.
Calcs!
This page contains the calculations required to
generate the results. These are quite complex at SLS
where there are a variety of limiting conditions.
Ref!
Ref! Defines the values of various parameters used in
the spreadsheet.
Notes!
This sheet gives disclaimers and revision history.
11
TCC22 FE Assistant.xls
This spreadsheet provides values of creep factors,
concrete tensile strengths and free shrinkage strains for
use with finite element slab design programs that take
account of concrete cracking (non-linear analysis). The
methods used are those recommended in Concrete
Society Technical Report No TR58, Deflections in
concrete slabs and beams. With programs that do
not account for cracking, creep factors substantially
HIGHER than those calculated by this spreadsheet
should be employed, to allow for the increased
displacements caused by cracking and shrinkage.
Both creep factors and concrete tensile strength
are related to the loading history of a member, and
are also dependent upon relative humidity, ambient
temperature, cement type and member geometry
(equivalent thickness). The characteristic cylinder
strength of the concrete (fck) is also required. The
user should note that this should be the actual
characteristic strength, which may well be higher than
that specified from minimum strength specifications.
h, fct, e!
This single sheet consists of all of the main input and
output. Most inputs, which are in blue and underlined,
should be self-explanatory. In addition to the loading
history and the inputs mentioned above, there is a
switch which allows for construction loading from
a slab above to be taken into account. In many
instances, this temporary construction loading will
determine the critical values required for FE design.
In the results section values are given for both
the direct concrete tensile strength fctm, and the
flexural tensile strength fctm,fl. The user should make a
judgement between these two values, depending upon
the degree of restraint that may be present.
There are several explanatory notes and hints at the
right hand side of this page.
Calculations!
Calculations! provides the detailed derivations for
the combined creep factor h, autogenous and free
shrinkage strains eca and eed, and critical concrete
tensile strength fctm(t).
Notes!
This sheet gives disclaimers and revision history.
12
TCC22 FE Assistant/Calculations!
13
14
15
DATA!
This single sheet consists of all of the main inputs.
Most inputs, which are in blue and underlined, should
be self-explanatory. The key diagram at the top of
the sheet defines most input parameters. The active
diagram below serves as a visual check on geometric
data. Operating instructions and error messages are
shown in column L: hints on sizing are given at
L26:L39. The lower ground level must be at least level
with the top of the base. Covers required are nominal
covers to bending reinforcement.
16
GEODesign!
GEODesign! considers sliding, overturning about the
toe (toppling) and bearing pressures for Combination
1 and Combination 2. Again formulae for each action,
moment and parameter are shown at the right hand
side of the sheet. The relevant partial factors are
not shown in these formulae but are used in the
appropriate cells.
In terms of sliding, the undrained resistance is ignored
if cohesion for the foundation material specified at
DATA!H36 is less than 10 kN/m2. In this case it is
recommended that the allowance of passive pressure
at DATA!L16 is switched off.
RCDesign!
The wall stem, base, heel and shear key are in turn
designed and checked for flexure, shear, and bar
spacing. For the concrete section Combination 1 is
critical. In addition a span/depth deflection check is
made on the stem.
Weight!
Weight gives the approximate weight of reinforcement
required per metre length of wall. Simplified curtailment
rules are used. The figures should be regarded as
estimates as the spreadsheet cannot deal with
designers and detailers preferences, rationalisation,
steps, changes in levels or direction etc.
Ref!
Ref! Defines the values of various parameters used
in the spreadsheet. These include NPDs according to
Eurocode 2 and the partial factors for Combination
1 and Combination 2 according to the UK National
Annex to Eurocode 7. Details of compaction plant
loads and basic formulae are given.
Notes!
This sheet gives disclaimers and revision history.
17
18
19
20
GEOMETRY!
This single sheet contains of all of the inputs for basic
building plan geometry and core dimensions. Most
inputs, which are in blue and underlined, should be
self-explanatory. The legend diagram at the top of the
sheet defines the geometry input parameters, and the
active diagram below serves as a visual check on the
input of core dimension data.
After determining the section data for each core,
percentages of lateral moment to each core and in
each orthogonal direction are displayed. These include
the effects of in-plane torsion due to the eccentricities
of the cores from the centre of the structure.
CORE!
On this sheet the total characteristic lateral moments
in each direction are input, then after selecting one
of the cores, the local coordinates and characteristic
values of up to eight vertical loads are entered.
After selecting the type of building usage, six ULS
combinations are calculated and stresses (both
compressive and tensile) and required reinforcement
are produced for up to eight locations within the core.
Again, there is an active diagram as a visual check on
the input of vertical loads.
Gra!
This page contains only data used in generating the
various charts.
Ref!
Ref! Defines the values of various parameters used in
the spreadsheet. These include NPDs according to
Eurocode 2 and the c values from Table A 1.1 of BSEN
1990.
Notes!
This sheet gives disclaimers and revision history.
21
22
23
MAIN!
This single sheet consists of the input and main
output. In itself it should prove adequate for the design
of restrained two-way slabs. Inputs are underlined and
most should be self-explanatory.
Self-weight, moment and shear factors are calculated
automatically. The use of these factors is limited by the
conditions for which they were produced, i.e. similar
loads on adjacent spans and similar spans adjacent.
Where these relevant conditions are not met, users
should consider alternative methods of analysis.
Whilst ultimate reactions to beams are given, shear per
se is not checked as it is very rarely critical.
The dimension ly must be greater than lx : bays where lx
ly are invalid. It is recognised that B1 can be parallel
to ly and the user should specify in which layers the
top and bottom reinforcement are located (see cells
D33 and H33).
In line 32 the user is asked to specify the diameters of
reinforcement to be used. This reinforcement should
be provided at the required centres in accordance
with BS 8110 Clause 3.5.3.5 (1) to (7) (middle strips
and column strips, torsion reinforcement at corners
where an edge or edges is/are discontinuous). The
spreadsheet highlights whether additional
reinforcement for torsion is required or not.
As noted under Deflection, the area of steel required,
Asreq, may be automatically increased in order to
reduce service stress, ss, and increase modification
factors to satisfy deflection criteria. An approximate
reinforcement density is given. This is approximate
only and excludes supporting beams, trimming to
holes, etc.
24
WEIGHT!
Weight! gives an estimate of the amount of
reinforcement required in a slab. Simplified curtailment
rules are used to determine lengths of bars. The figures
should be treated as approximate estimates only as
they cannot deal with the effects of designers and
detailers preferences, rationalisation, the effects of
holes, etc. To the right of the sheet are
calculations of bar length, etc.
Support widths are required as input as they affect
curtailments and lengths.
Refs!
This sheet comprises the values for nationally
determined parameters that have been used in the
spreadsheet. These data reflect the values given in the
UK National Annexes for EN 1990 and EN 1992.
Notes!
This sheet gives disclaimers and revision history.
25
26
References
1 GOODCHILD C H & WEBSTER R M User Guide to
RC Spreadsheets: v3, CCIP-008. The Concrete
Centre, 2006.
2
27
28
H Dikme
C P Edmondson
J Elliot
I Feltham
G Fernando
M Fernando
I Francis
A Fung
P Gardner
J Gay
P Green
A Hall
N Harris
G Hill
D W Hobbs
R Hulse
M Hutcheson
A Idrus
N Imms
P Jennings
D Kennedy
G Kennedy
R Jothiraj
Dr S Khan
A King
G King
S King
K Kus
I Lockhart
M Lord
B Lorimer
M Lovell
Dr Luker
J Lupton
M Lytrides
Prof I Macleod
F Malekpour
A McAtear
A McFarlane
F Mohammad
A Mole
M Morton
R Moss
B Munton
C OBoyle
Dr A Okorie
T ONeill
B Osafa-Kwaako
D Patel
D Penman
M Perera
B Quick
Y Raqif
A Rathbone
M Rawlinson
P Reynolds
H Riley
N Russell
U P Sarki
T Schollar
A Stalker
A Starr
M Stevenson
B Stoker
B Treadwell
A Truby
R Turner
T Viney
Dr P Walker
B Watson
J Whitworth
C Wilby
S Wilde
A Wong
E Yarimer
CCIP 053
Published August 2010
MPA - The Concrete Centre
Riverside House, 4 Meadows Business Park,
Station Approach, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AB
Tel: +44 (0)1276 606800 Fax: +44 (0)1276 606801
www.concretecentre.com