Gear2003 Part C

ACECOMS GEAR
General Engineering Assistant and Reference
STEEL DESIGNERS
USERS MANUAL AND

TECHNICAL REFERENCE
Asian Center for Engineering

Computations and Software.
AIT, Bangkok, Thailand
Version
May 2003
COPYRIGHT
The computer program ACECOMS GEAR and all associated documentation are
proprietary and copyrighted products. Worldwide rights of ownership rest with
ACECOMS, AIT. Unlicensed use of the program or reproduction of the
documentation in any form, without prior written authorization from ACECOMS,
AIT., is explicitly prohibited.
Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:
ACECOMS, AIT,
PO Box 4, Klong Luang
Pathumthani, 12120 Thailand.
Tel: (662) 524-5539
Fax: (662) 524-6059
E-mail: acecoms@ait.ac.th
Web: www.acecoms.ait.ac.th
Copyright ACECOMS, AIT, 2003.

The GEAR Logo is a trademark of ACECOMS, AIT.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
AutoCAD is a registered trademark of AutoDesk Inc.
DISCLAIMER
CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE DEVELOPMENT
AND DOCUMENTATION OF ACECOMS GEAR. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN
THOROUGHLY TESTED. IN USING THE PROGRAM, HOWEVER, THE USER ACCEPTS
AND UNDERSTANDS THAT NO WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THE
DEVELOPERS OR THE DISTRIBUTORS ON THE ACCURACY OR THE RELIABILITY OF
THE PROGRAM.
THE USER MUST EXPLICITLY UNDERSTAND THE ASSUMPTIONS OF THE PROGRAM
AND MUST INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE RESULTS.
Contents
Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

What is ACECOMS GEAR
General Tools
Geometric Properties
RC Utilities
RC Members
Steel Members
Foundations
How to Install GEAR?
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-6
1-7
Changing Authorization Level
1-12
Quitting the Program
1-14
Obtaining More Information and Technical Support1-14
ACECOMS GEAR
Steel Designers Introduction
Introduction
1-1
1-1
Concept of Segment
1-1
Concept of Code (or Combined) Stress Ratio
1-6
Concept of Under-Strength and Over-Strength Factors

on Code Ratio
1-9
Unified Design Equation
1-10
More on the Concept of Resistance Indices R
1-13
R: Index of Safety and Economy
1-14
Strut Designer
Initial Setup
How to Use the Module
2-2
Designing Struts
2-5
Preparing Reports
2-7
Adding Results to a Report
2-8
Steel Beam Designer

Initial Setup
ii
2-1
2-1
3-1
3-1
3-2
Designing Steel Beams
3-5
Calculating Bending Coefficient (Cb)
3-7
Steel Loading and Bracing Data
3-7
Preparing Reports
3-8
Contents
Steel Column Designer
Initial Setup
3-9
4-1
4-1
4-2
Designing Steel Columns
4-5
Calculating Column Effective Length Factor
4-7
Calculating Column Coefficient (Cm)
4-8
Calculating Bending Coefficient (Cb)
4-9
4-9
Preparing Reports
4-8
4-9
iii

What is ACECOMS GEAR
ACECOMS GEAR is a software developed at the School
of Civil Engineering at the Asian Institute of Technology.
The software provides various tools of design, analysis
and general assistance for structural engineers. GEAR
stands for General Engineering Assistance and Reference.
The software consists of a variety of modules ranging
from basic unit converters to comprehensive designer
modules for individual members. These modules have
been logically grouped into six categories. This manual
describes in detail the Geometric Properties modules of
the software. A brief description of all the modules is provided in this chapter.
General Tools
Tools grouped under this category are the Unit Converter,
Engineering Constants, Dead Load Reference, Factored
Loads and Load Combinations. A brief introduction of
these modules is provided next.
Unit Converter
Unit Converter is a simple but comprehensive program
that can be used for converting values from one unit to
another, irrespective of their unit systems.
1
Engineering Constants
Engineering Constants is a program for easy reference to
common engineering constants such as density, viscosity,
energy, discharge, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity,
power, temperature, water quality, modulus of elasticity,
coefficient of expansion, specific gravity, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and Poissons ratio.
Dead Load Reference

Dead Load Reference is a program for easy reference to
the dead loads of common materials such as masonry, partition, roofing, false ceiling, flooring, metals and concrete.
Factored Loads
This tool readily computes the factored loads combinations from basic load cases in accordance with the ACI318-95 and AASHTO design codes.
Load Combinations
This module is used for the detailed calculations of load
combinations. Standard and user defined load combinations may be calculated.
Geometric Properties
Programs related to the determination of basic geometric
properties of various shapes and cross-sections have been
grouped into this category. These include the Triangle
Solver, Circle Solver, Polygon Solver, and the Property
Calculator.
What is ACECOMS GEAR 1 -2
Triangle Solver
Any general triangle can be solved using this module. Triangle dimensions, angles and properties can be computed.
Circle Solver
Properties of solid and hollow circles (full, semi and quarter) and part of circles such as segment, arc, sector, etc.
can be calculated using this program.
Polygon Solver
This module solves regular polygons, both solid and hollow. The polygons may have any number of sides between
3 and 12.
Property Calculator
Basic properties of various cross-sections can be computed using this module. The properties are reported about
the centroid or any other user-specified location.
RC Utilities
Modules that help in the design and analysis of RC beams
and columns have been grouped here. These include the
Rebar Calculator, K-Factor Calculator and the Moment
Magnifier.
Rebar Calculator
This is a useful tool for calculating the required sizes, bar
spacing and bar combinations for standard and userspecified reinforcing steel bars.
KFactor Calculator
This module is meant for calculating the effective length
factor for columns. It can handle columns of various end
restrained conditions.
Moment Magnifier
This module helps in calculating the magnified moments
for columns to account for slenderness effects.
RC Members
Modules related to the design of RC members are grouped
into this category. These include Beam Designer, Column
Designer, Two-Way Slab designer and Flat Slab Designer.
Beam Designer
This simple, yet comprehensive tool can be used for the
design of reinforced concrete cross-sections subjected to
bending moment, shear force and torsion. The program
carries out a detailed calculation for computing the required reinforcement and for back computing the capacity
of a given section.
Column Designer
This is a simple, yet comprehensive tool for the design of
reinforced concrete cross-sections subjected to axial load
and moment about two axes. The program carries out a
detailed calculation for computing the required reinforcement and for back computing the capacity of a given section.
TwoWay Slab Designer

This module carries out a complete analysis and design of
two-way slabs using the coefficient method.
Flat Slab Designer

This module carries out the complete analysis and design
of flat slab, flat plate and beam slab structures using the
equivalent frame method. The program can handle slabs
with beams, drop panels, column capitals, and other types
of support.
Steel Members
Modules related to the design and analysis of steel structural members such as struts, beams and columns are
grouped here.
Strut Designer
This module designs steel members subjected to axial load
only. It recommends a cross-section for a given load. In
addition to design, it can also analyze a given crosssection to check if it is sufficient for a given loading. In
such a case it calculates the cross-section properties, effective length factor and slenderness ratio. The module
checks the allowable stresses by calculating the Combined
Code Stress Ratio. It also checks the adequacy of slenderness by checking the slenderness ratio.
Steel Beam Designer

This module designs steel members subjected to flexure
only. It recommends a cross-section for a given flexural
load. It takes into account the unbraced length to check
lateral deflection. The module recommends a crossWhat is ACECOMS GEAR 1 -5
section by calculating the coefficient of bending. In addition to design, this module also analyzes a given crosssection for a given flexural load. It calculates section
properties and slenderness ratio and checks the adequacy
of the section.

This module designs steel members subjected to both axial
and flexural loads. It calculates the effective length factor
as well as the coefficient of bending and subsequently
recommends an adequate cross-section. It checks for the
Combined Code Stress Ratio. In addition to design, this
module also analyzes a steel column cross-section for a
given combination of loading. It calculates cross-section
properties, effective length factor, slenderness ratio, bending coefficient and column coefficient. It checks the adequacy of the cross-section by checking for the Combined
Code Stress Ratio and Slenderness Ratio.
Foundations
The modules related to the design and analyses of foundations have been grouped under this category. These included the Iso-Footing Designer, Combo-Footing Designer, Pile Cap Designer, and Driven Pile Designer.
IsoFooting Designer
This module performs comprehensive design and analysis
of reinforced concrete isolated footings. The detailing of
the footing is also performed.
ComboFooting Designer
This module performs comprehensive design and analysis
of reinforced concrete combined footings. The detailing of
the footing is also performed.
Pile Cap Designer

This module assists in the design of pile caps by using the
beam design approach. Pile caps can be designed for various pile arrangements and numbers.
Driven Pile Designer

This module calculates the capacity of a driven pile based
on blow count using any of the 11 different methods. The
program prepares professional reports containing the data
and procedures followed. It can also compute the required
number of blow counts for a specified capacity. Several
standard pile types and hammer types are supported.
How to Install GEAR

Thank you for selecting ACECOMS GEAR to assist you
in your professional work. Please follow the steps below
to install the program for the first time. If you have any
problems, please contact ACECOMS.
Use Windows Explorer or My Computer to locate the
folder in which you have saved the GEAR download file.
Note: If you are installing from an ACECOMS CD ROM, please go to step 4.
How to Install GEAR 1 -7
Step 1: Double -click My Computer on your desktop

Double-click the download file to extract it and then specify the folder to which to save the extracted files. Locate
the setup.exe (setup application) and double-click to
start the setup process
Step 2: Double-click on the folder in which you saved the download

file
Step 3: Specify the folder to which to extract the file and then click
Unzip.
Step 4: Go to the folder in which the extracted files have been saved
and double-click on GEAR folders. If you are installing from an ACECOMS CD ROM, double-click on the CD ROM drive to display the
above screen.
Step 5: Double-click on Setup.exe or Setup (the view may differ from

computer to computer).
Step 6: Press OK to continue with the setup or Exit Setup to cancel the
setup.
Step 7: Press the installation button as shown here. Also note the directory to which the software will be installed. If you want to install to another location (say D:\, etc.), click Change Directory and specify the
desired path.
Step 8: Press Continue to complete this step.
Step 9: The Setup Status dialogue will display the setup progress.
Step 10: The setup has been completed successfully.
All the modules available in GEAR will be installed.

However, only those that have been purchased will be in
"FULL" Authorization mode. All others will be in
"DEMO" mode. To upgrade from Demo to Full version
please see "How to change the Authorization Level" section of the help file.
Changing Authorization Level

All ACECOMS GEAR modules are available in Demo or
Full versions. You can upgrade from Demo version to Full
version by using the following procedure:
Changing Authorization Level 1 -12
1.
Get a New Authorization Code from ACECOMS
to upgrade the user level (Demo Version to Full Version).
2.
Start the program.
3.
Click on the Change Authorization command

from the File menu. This will open a dialogue box
as shown below:
4.
Enter the User ID. (User ID number can be obtained from the About the Module dialogue box from the
Help menu or from the order form).
5.
Enter the New Authorization Code (in capital letters) exactly as it appears on the instruction given by
ACECOMS and press the Apply button.
If you have entered the correct Authorization Code
and User ID, then the user level in the Current Authorization Level box will be changed and you will get
the message The authorization level has been upgraded, now press OK to Exit. Otherwise, you will
get a message Invalid Authorization, please try again
OR cancel at the bottom of the dialogue box.
Changing Authorization Level 1 -13
6.
Click on the OK button if you get the first message. If authorization is successful the program will immediately change to the full version without the need to
restart.
Quitting the Program

Click on the X icon provided on the top right corner of the
program screen or,
Select the Exit command from the File menu.
Obtaining More Information and

Technical Support
If you have questions about the ACECOMS GEAR or Individual programs features and functions, first look in the
Help files. If you can not find the answer in the location,
please contact ACECOMS.
Mail ing Ad dress

ACECOMS,
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT),
P.O. Box 4, Klongluang,
Pathumthani 12120,
THAILAND
Ph: (662) 524-5539, 524-5533
Fax: (662) 524-6059, 516-2126
We also offer services through Internet. Demo versions of
these programs can be downloaded from our site. Our addresses are as follows:
Quitting the Program 1 -14
E-mai l
acecoms@ait.ac.th
WEB s ite
http://www.acecoms.ait.ac.th
Obtaining More Information and Technical Support 1 -15
Chapter 1
Steel Designers
Chapter
Steel Designers
Introduction
It is necessary to understand the theory, which forms the
basis of any engineering analysis and design software, before using it for any real projects. In many cases, the exact
analytical solutions or design procedures available in the
literature or design specifications become difficult to implement in the exact form of computer programs. In some
cases, even if the implementation is not difficult, it may
not be intuitive to the designer (user). So to standardize
the procedures, make the software easy to use and maintain the concepts of original solution procedures, some
techniques need to be formulated and implemented during
the development of the software.
This chapter will briefly describes the concepts used in the
GEAR Steel Designers software from designers (users)
point of view. We will also discuss the major limitations
of the program, of which the user should be aware before
use.
Concept of Segments
In the design of steel structures, there is a difference between the member and the segment. A member may be
1-1
Steel Designers
considered to be composed of one or more segments. A

member is a design element between the two end supports for the major axis for bending or buckling. Although
the concept of segments and their importance in breaking
a member into one or more segments is identical for compression and beam members, the following explanations
will make further clarify the terms.
Concept of Segments in the Design of Compression Members

In the design of an axial compression member the capacity
depends mainly upon the maximum slenderness ratio.
Here the maximum slenderness ratio means the larger of
KxLx/rx and KyLy/ry. These two ratios must be investigated
independently based on the framing conditions in their respective plane or axis and the cross section orientation.
Here one of the longer sides, normally Lx, will be the
length of the member and the length or lengths on the
other axis (i.e. Y-axis will form the segments). For example, a 6m member with one intermediate lateral support at
one-third the distance along the weaker axis will have the
following properties.
Introduction 1-2
Steel Designers
Segment 2 = 2m
Segment 1 = 4m
Frame geometry in Y axis

plane
Frame geometry in X axis

plane
Figure 1.1. Concept of Member and Segment for Compression Members
Member length Lx (6 m) = Segment 1, Ly1 (4m) + Segment

2, Ly2 (2m)
In the design of this member for axial compression these
three parts or segments (i.e. one in the x axis and two in
the y axis) must be treated separately. The most important
parameters which necessitate the individual calculations is
the effective length factor K. As this factor depends
mainly upon the relative stiffness of the connected members and the member itself, at the top and bottom of each
segment for each axis, separate calculations are necessary.
In the above example for the two segments of different
lengths and different top and bottom framing conditions,
all cases that should be investigated are as follows:
For X axis
Segment X: KxLx/rx
For Y axis
Segment Y1:
Ky1/ry and
Segment Y2:
Ky2/ry
Introduction 1 -3
Steel Designers
Concept of Segments in the Design of Beams

In actual design cases it is very rare to find beams with
constant bending moments throughout the span. For economical design of beams with varying moment along the
length, one important design parameter called the coefficient of bending Cb must be taken into account. Cb accounts for the effects of the variation of moment on the
moment capacity of the beam and in some cases it may increase the moment capacity to as much as 2.3 times the
capacity calculated without its consideration.
Lateral Bracing
Segment 1, Lby1
Segment 2, Lby2
Member Length = Lbx
Introduction 1-4
Segment 3 Lby3
Steel Designers
Y
(Minor Axis)
X
(Major Axis)
Figure 1.2. A Continuous Beam With Two Lateral Bracing at One-Third

Points
Figure 1.3. Moment Diagrams for the Continuous Beam In Fig 1.1.
Segment 1
Segment 2
Segment 3
Figure 1.4. Moment Diagrams for Beam Segments for the Beam in Fig 1.1.
Introduction 1 -5
Steel Designers
Cb is generally calculated using a formula based on the

moment at the end of a portion of the beam, which has a
lateral support. This portion of a beam between two lateral
supports, called a segment or design segment, normally
forms a unit for design and verification. The above figures illustrate the difference between the segment and the
member for a continuous beam.
The concept of beam segments is directly associated with
the lateral torsional buckling phenomenon of the compression flange of beams. To minimize this torsional buckling
along the weaker axis and increase the moment carrying
capacity (stability) of the beam, intermediate lateral supports for the compression flange in various forms can be
provided along the span of the beam. In such cases the
beam must be considered as being made up of a number of
segments formed by the lateral bracing, with each segment designed separately.
For beams with bracing on the compression flange
throughout the span, however, (e.g. flange embedment in
slab, shear key, etc.) the problem of lateral torsional buckling, and hence the segment, is not significant.
Concept of Code (or Combined)

Stress Ratio
Generally for design purposes, steel members are classified conventionally as axial, beam and beam-column (column) based on design actions. The design procedures for
each specific type of member vary considerably. When the
design calculations are carried out by hand, such classification helps the designer by allowing the calculations specific to that member type. However, when the procedures
are required to be implemented as computer software, a
generalized method offers many advantages to the develIntroduction 1-6
Steel Designers
oper. The concept of code stress ratio is an index for

checking the acceptability of a section computed based on
such a generalized design procedure. In fact the design
procedure for a beam-column is the combination of the
design procedures for an axial member and a beam with
some additional calculations specific to columns, such as
moment magnification. The following interaction formulae are generally used as the final check for design of columns. All the following formulae have a general form as
stated in expanded form as:
Combined stress = stress due to axial stress alone + stress
due to bending about major axis alone + stress due to
bending about minor axis alone
For axial compression and bending

f
For a < 0.15 (small axial load)
Fa
fby
fa
f
+ bx +
1.0
Fa Fbx Fby
(1-1)
fa
0.15
F
a
(large axial load) the
And for
following two equations are applicable
fby
Cmy
fa
f
Cmx
+ bx
+
1.0
Fa Fbx 1 fa Fbx Fby 1 fa Fby
(1-2)
Introduction 1 -7
Steel Designers
And
fby
fa
f
+ bx +
1.0
0.6Fy Fbx Fby
(1-3)
For axial tension and bending

fby
fa fbx
+
+
1.0
Ft Fbx Fby
(1-4)
Where:
f denotes the actual stresses on the cross section due
to a particular action alone as indicated by the subscript.
F denotes the permissible stresses on the cross section
when only that particular action is applicable.
Cm is a coefficient for moment specific to column only.
An important consideration in the development of a unified approach for the design of steel members, irrespective
of the type of actions to which it is subjected, is the nature
of the above interaction equations. It can be seen very
clearly that the contribution of each action is just added
together to the rest to get the final combined effect. In
other words even if one term out of three possible terms is
zero the equations are still valid. For an axial compression
member, the only non-zero term is the first term. Similarly
for beams that bend only about the x axis, the first and last
Introduction 1-8
Steel Designers
part of the equations will be zero but the equations are still
valid.
Concept of Under-Strength and

Over-Strength Factors on Code
Ratio
The most economic design is the one that gives a combined code ratio or stress ratio, equal to one. Sections giving code ratios of more than one do not satisfy the design
(not safe) and section giving code ratio much lower than
one are not economical. However, there are many practical considerations that make it very difficult or almost impossible to attain the most economic ratio all the time.
Some important reasons for that are as follows.
Many approximations, assumption and simplifications must be made during the estimations of load,
material strength, analysis and design.
The design of a member may depend upon its own

size, which is not known before design.
Section selection is limited by the standard products and market situations.
Other nonstructural requirements like architecture

or service utility.
The under-strength and over-strength factors have two

main functions. The first one is to allow the designer to
provide a wider range of design acceptability. The second
one is that even if there is no section that satisfies the requirement most economically, the designer can have an
idea of the sections which are closer to the requirement.
Introduction 1 -9
Steel Designers
For example, for a relatively small design load, some large

section may give code ratio say 0.1 or less and if the program just checks whether the combined code ratio is less
than one or not, the large section will also be included in
the final list of acceptable sections, this is clearly not desirable.
Unified Design Equation

The unified design equation must incorporate all the components corresponding to the design actions for a generalized analysis element (i.e. 3D frame element). Although
the total number of design actions for a general or typical
3D frame element is six they can be grouped into the following three distinct categories to generalize the design
procedure.
Axial behavior
Flexural behavior
Column behavior
The unified or generalized design equation should be such

that it is able to control all possible modes of failures,
typically related to stability and stresses, through a single
mathematical statement. Such an equation can be expressed in the following form.
Ra + Rbx + Rby R
(1-5)
Where
Ra = Normalized resistance or safety index for the axial force (P) alone, in absence of other stresses.
Unified Design Equation 1-10
Steel Designers
Rbx = Normalized resistance or safety index for bending about the major axis (Mx) alone, in absence of
other stresses.
Rby = Normalized resistance or safety index for bending about the minor axis (My) alone, in absence of
other stresses.
R = Normalized overall resistance or safety index for
the combined effect of all design actions (P, Mx, My).
An analytical and comparative study of the design procedure in the design code and specification reveals that all of
the stresses can be transferred in some ways to this universal steel member design equation. An important question always associated with any kind of generalization is
the specialization as in this case how to specialize or use
this equation for the design of a particular conventional
member, namely only axial tension or compression member, beam or column? The answer is simple. The three
terms of the equation relate to three (mathematically) independent resistance capacity indices and can be added
algebraically. Any of the terms can simply be set to zero if
the action represented by that term is not significant to a
given member or problem. So the above equation can be
specialized as follows.
Unified Design Equation 1 -11
Steel Designers
Axial member
Beam
Column
Ra + Rb x + Rby R
(1-1)
Ra + Rb x + Rby R
(1-2)
Ra + Rb x + Rby R
(1-3)
Ra + Rb x + Rby R
(1-4)
Ra + Rb x + Rby R
(1-5)
Ra + Rb x + Rby R
(1-6)
Ra + Rb x + Rby R
(1-7)
Once the required terms of the unified equation are selected and the rest set to zero, the next step is to find the
resistance indices The procedure for finding these terms
is mostly code specific.
Unified Design Equation 1-12
Steel Designers
More on the Concept of Resistance Indices R

The resistance index R can be expressed in the following
forms, though one can be easily transformed to the other.
R=
Actual Load Effect

Re sis tan ce Capacity to That Load Effect
(1-8)
R=
Actual Stress
Permissible Stress
(1-9)
Two forms of equations reflect the two main design philosophies in current use, namely ultimate strength and the
working stress design though they are calibrated for the
same probabilistic Factor of Safety (FOS). The Ultimate
Limit State method is given different names by different
nations including, LSD, USD, and LRFD deal mostly with
the probabilistically adjusted load effects and their corresponding capacities while the classical working stress design (WSD) deal mostly with the actual and permissible
stresses with a single lumped FOS (which typically varies
from 1.6 to 2).
Irrespective of the design philosophy, design codes and
specification and type of steel member, the way R has
been defined will still uniquely represent, directly or indirectly, the design load relative to the design capacity. The
following section explains the structural and economical
importance of this uniquely defined index R and its component terms.
More on the Concept of Resistance Indices R 1 -13
Steel Designers
R: Index of Safety and Economy

R is not only an index of structural safety; it is also a generalized index for economy of a design. Under most practical design situations and from safety and economy point
of view, the physical meaning of R may be interpreted as
follows:
For safety:
For safe design:
R 1
(1-10)
For unsafe design:
R f1
(1-11)
R =1
(1-12)
0.85 R 1
(1-13)
For economy:
Most economical:
Generally economical:
May be acceptable:
Not economical:
0.6 R 0.85
R p 0 .6
(1-14)
(1-15)
So as it can be seen from the above interpretations that

when R = 1 the design is the most economical but at the
same it has the least margin over the permissible stress or
code specified strength. In other words the maximum limiting case of economy that can be achieved in any design
irrespective of the method or member type is unity. When
R = 0.5, the capacity of the chosen section is twice the reR: Index of Safety and Economy 1-14
Steel Designers
quired capacity and not economical. So it furnishes the designer with a single overall factor which can represent
both safety and economy. Furthermore, in the case of
R f 1 (not safe), the designer can analyze each of the
three components of R and find those that can be modified
with little effect on economy. For example, in a design
process let us assume that Rbx becomes greater than one.
The designer may think of various options for bringing
this factor within acceptable limits, such as, by adding
new bracing or changing the size.
R: Index of Safety and Economy 1 -15
Chapter 2
Strut Designer
Chapter
Strut Designer
Introduction
This module designs steel members subjected to axial load
only. It recommends a cross-section for a given load. In
addition to design, it can also analyze a given crosssection to check if it is of sufficient capacity for a given
loading, by calculating the cross-section properties, effective length factor and slenderness ratio. The module
checks the allowable stresses by calculating Combined
Code Stress Ratio and the adequacy of slenderness by calculating the slenderness ratio.
Initial Setup
Selecting the Working Units
All GEAR modules can work in any of the three main systems of units (i.e. SI, Metric and US Customary (Imperial)).
Start the program.
2-1
Strut Designer
Go to the Tools menu and select the Working

Units command. There are three options available:
SI, Metric and US Customary.
Once a selection is made the new units are activated.
NOTE: Working Units should be selected before starting the design. If you want to change the working unit
in the middle of the design, a new design is started and
a dialogue box appears with the message "Changing
the Working Units will start a new section. Do you
wish to save Current Data?". Click YES and save it in
a file if you want to save the data, OR click NO if you
do not want to save the data. A new set of default data
in the new system of units will be initialized. The previous data, if not saved, will be lost.

Menu and Toolbar System
The Steel Strut Design program has one screen for overall
strut design. Whenever the Steel Strut program is activated, the following menu options are available on the
form.
File
The menu commands under File let you save and print
the results.
Start New Strut: Choose this command to start a new
Strut for design or investigation.
How to Use the Module 2-2
Strut Designer
Open Strut Data: Select this command to open a Strut

data file previously saved.
Save Strut Data: To save recently entered Strut data,
select this command.
Save Strut Data As: To save currently entered strut
data for the first time or to save an existing strut data
file in another name.
Print Current Section: This menu command prints
the currently displayed results to the default printer.
Change Authorization: This menu command allows
you to modify the User Authorization level.
Exit: Choose this command to quit the module.
Edit
The Edit menu provides commands for copying and
cutting selected text, graphics or results. This option is
available for input data, the result list and the figure.
Copy: Selected information may be copied into the
clipboard and then pasted into other applications.
Cut: In addition to copying selected information, this
option deletes that information from the screen.
Tools
This menu provides some special tools for improving
the productivity and design and for setting important
options.
Working Units: Use this menu to choose the units to
US, Metric or SI.
How to Use the Module 2 -3
Strut Designer
Bracing Data: Use this option to activate Steel Bracing form to input the bracing data for X and Y directions. For more details see section Steel Bracing.
Repo rt
The menu commands under Report let you prepare,
format, preview and print the results.
Project Information: Select this command to provide
basic project information such as Project Name, Client, Job Title, Engineer and Organization.
Report Item Content: Choose this command to select
the content of the report from various options listed.
Report Format: Report layout, text styles and contents of the report can be specified using this command.
Print: This menu command prints the results that have
been added to the report.
Preview: Use this menu command to preview the
formatted report before printing.
Save Result Content: Choose this command to save
the report as a simple text file for future use.
Help
This menu has all the commands related to help for
the program.
Help Topics: Use this command to get a list of Help
Topics.
Strut Designer
Contacting ACECOMS: Use this command to contact

ACECOMS for technical reference and learn about
ACECOMS activities.
About the Program: This menu command opens up a
dialogue box that contains information about the End
User License Agreement with a User ID Number for
Steel Strut Designer program and the Copyright information.
Apart from the menu system, a Toolbar is available within
the program main window for easy operations to avoid
opening menus and choosing commands. The toolbar buttons are described below:
Starts a new problem.
Opens a previously saved file.
Saves the current file to a specified location.
Prints the currently displayed Result List to the
default printer.
Activates the Bracing Data form.
Activates the Help file.
Designing Struts
1. Set the working units using the Tools menu.
Strut Designer
2. Give a title to the member and then enter appropriate values for the Steel Yield strength and
Steel Ultimate strength.
3. Enter the data for design actions which in this
case are only the axial load P. A positive P infers
axial compression, while a negative P infers axial
tension. Example: P=-30 means that there is an
axial tensile load of 30 units, which can be ton or
kips based on the currently selected working units.
4. Enter the Acceptable Stress Ratio range. See the
section R-Index of Safety and Economy in Chapter 1.
5. Click on the Length tab and enter the length and k
values in the X and Y direction. To assist you in
calculating the k factor values, an Effective
Length Factor Calculator is provided.
6. Click on the button to activate the Effective
Length Factor Calculator. Choose the framing
condition that best represents the condition of the
strut under consideration. The computed value
will be reported. Click OK to transfer this value to
the main Strut Designer form.
7. On the Options Tab provide values for Maximum
Slenderness Limits for both tension and compression. These are supplementary to the klu/r values
calculated by the program and serve as an extra
check on the slenderness of the selected member.
8. Activate the Bracing Data form by clicking
.
The Length and k values in the X direction are
automatically updated to the ones provided on the
Length Tab. For the Y direction provide the SegHow to Use the Module 2-6
Strut Designer
ment No., Start and End lengths, and k Values for

all segments. When the values have been entered,
click OK.
9. Click the Design button after all the input data has
been provided. The program will design the strut
according to the data provided and the results will
be displayed in the Results box. The Acceptable
Cross-Section list will also be displayed below the
Results box.
10. Click the Add button to add the currently displayed results to the Report. The Report can then
be previewed and printed.
We strongly recommend that you thoroughly study the
first chapter before attempting to design any member.
Preparing Reports
Use the Report menu to create a comprehensive, formatted
report of selected data and results. The Report menu lets
you specify the project information, contents of the report,
target printer, paper size, margins, character formats and
header and footers, preview the report and also save the
report.
The Project Information dialogue box helps you to specify
the basic information about the project including name of
the engineer involved in the design, Project Name, Title,
Organization, etc. The information given here is applicable for all items in a particular module; however, the user
can check the contents of the items before clicking on the
Add to Report button. You may use the Remove button to
delete the most recently added item. The Remove button
become inactive until you add the next item to the report.
Preparing Reports 2 -7
Strut Designer
Use the Report Items Content to select the items and the
content of each to be included in the report. You can select
the contents of the items by checking them. For example,
you can include only the Calculation Procedure and the
Final Results for one item and some other contents such as
Detailed Calculation and the Final Results for another
Item. However, you have the option of removing some of
the contents or items from the report by using the Report
format dialog box or while previewing the report.
The Report Format dialogue box helps you to produce a
fully customizable and formatted report using style definitions, font selection, margins, footer/header, page layout,
etc. You can also view the items and contents that have
been added to the report and remove any unwanted items.
Apart from the above-mentioned options, the Report menu
also has options for Printing, Previewing and Saving functions. These functions are discussed in detail in the following paragraphs.

How to Pre pare th e Repor t
report of selected data and results. Follow the steps given
below:
Preparing Reports 2-8
Choose the Project Information command from

the Report Menu.
Strut Designer
Enter the data required in the Project Information

Dialogue Box such as Project, Title, Organization
and the name of the Engineer. Press OK.
Choose the Report Item Contents command from

the Report menu and check the contents of the
items to be included in the report. After the selection is complete press OK.
Click on the Report Format command from the

Report menu to format the report.
After the formatting is complete you can preview

the formatted report, print it or save it for future
use.
Buttons are available to access Report Format,

Preview and Print in the Report Frame section.
You can also access Print and Report Format from
the Preview Form.
How t o Add R esults to the Report
Once you complete the computation, click on the

Add button.
Now the results will be added to the Report. Two

sets of results will be printed on one page.
Click on the Clear button to remove result sets

from the report.
Click on the Print button to print the contents that

have been added.
Strut Designer
Form atting a Repo rt

This dialogue box contains Contents, Styles and Layout
tabs.
The Contents tab contains one list box to show the main
items that have been included in the report. You can remove any previously added items from the report by selecting them from the list and pressing the Remove button.
The contents of each main item should be checked before
starting to create the report.
The Styles tab contains different styles that can be applied
to different sections of the report (i.e. Main Title, Heading
1,2,3., Footer and Header). The styles have been already assigned for particular items. You can, however,
change the font size or type for these styles. A sample text
of the selected style can be previewed in the text box provided at the bottom of the form. In the Layout tab you can
set the page size, page orientation, margins and also the
header/footers. When done, you may print the report or
save it as a text file for use with other applications.
Prev iewing a Repo rt

After adding the required results to the report you can start
printing the report. GEAR however, provides you with the
option of previewing the report before it is actually
printed. Using this feature you can make sure that the report contains everything you need.
Several buttons are provided on this preview window. Use
these buttons to move up and down in the report or to
view it with different magnification. You may also print
the report by pressing the Print button provided in this
window. The following is the list of available buttons and
their functions:
Strut Designer
Display the first page of the report.

Display the previous page in the report.
Display the next page in the report.
Display the last page of the report.
Increase the magnification of the currently displayed page.
Reduce the magnification of the currently displayed page.
Close the preview window and return to the
main window.
To preview a Report do the following:
Click on the Preview button or go to the Report

menu and select Preview Report.
The Print Preview window will be shown. You

can use the above given buttons to move around
in the report or change the magnification of the
preview.
Click the Print

the report.
Click Close to return to the main window.
button to get a hard copy of
Chapter 3
Steel Beam Designer
Chapter
Steel Beam Designer

Introduction
This modules designs steel members subjected to flexure
only. It recommends a suitable cross-section for a given
flexural load and takes into account the un-braced length
to check for the lateral deflection. The module selects the
cross-section based on coefficient of bending calculations.
In addition to design, this module also analyzes a given
cross-section for a given flexural load. It calculates section
properties and the slenderness ratio and checks the sections adequacy.
Initial Setup
Selecting Working Units
Start the program.
3-1
Steel Beam Designer


Steel Beam Design program has one screen for overall design of the beams. Whenever the Steel Beam program is
activated, following menu options are available on the
form.
File
the results.
Start New Beam: Choose this command to start a new
beam for design or investigation.
Steel Beam Designer
Open Beam Data: Select this command to open a

beam data file previously saved.
Save Beam Data: To save currently entered beam
data, select this command.
Save Beam Data As: To save currently entered beam
data for the first time or to save an existing beam data
file in another name.
Edit
Tools
options.
US, Metric or SI.
Steel Beam Designer
Loading and Bracing Data: Use this option to activate Loading and Bracing form to input the loading
and bracing values for X and Y directions. For more
details see section Steel Loading and Bracing.
Repo rt
Help
the program.
Topics.
Steel Beam Designer

ACECOMS activities.
Steel Beam Designer program and the Copyright information.
Prints the currently displayed Result List to the
default printer.
Activates the Steel Loading and Bracing form.
Designing Steel Beams

1. Select the Working Units from the Tools menu as
US, Metric or SI.
Steel Beam Designer

2. Provide a title to the member and then enter ap-
propriate values for the Steel Yield strength and

Steel Ultimate strength
3. If you want to design the beam for moment about
the X-axis only, provide the moment and the Acceptable Stress Ratio on the Loads Tab. For more
information on the Acceptable Stress Ratio refer
to Chapter 1 of this manual. For designing beams
for biaxial moments use the Steel Loading and
Bracing Data form. See the section on Steel Loading and Bracing Data for more details.
4. On the Length Tab enter the length and Cb value
of the beam in the X direction. The Cb value can
be calculated using the Bending Coefficient form.
See the section on Calculating Bending Coefficient for more details. To provide lengths and
bracing in the Y direction use the Steel Loading
and Bracing Data form. See the section on Steel
Loading and Bracing Data for more details.
5. Specify the Maximum Slenderness Limits for tension and compression on the Options Tab.
6. Click the Design button after all the input data has
been provided. The program will design the beam
according to the data provided and the results will
be displayed in the Results box. The Acceptable
Cross-Section list will also be displayed below the
Results box.
7. Click the Add button to add the currently displayed results to the Report. The Report can then
be previewed and printed.
Steel Beam Designer

Calculating Bending Coefficient (C b )

1. The Bending Coefficient form can be activated by
clicking the button provided on the Length
Tab, in front of the Cbx text box. To calculate Cby
double-click the Cb1 or Cb2 cell on the Steel Loading and Bracing Data form.
2. On the form if you check the box Moments at
any Interior Point More than end moments you
need not have to enter the end moments; otherwise, enter values for End Moments M1 and M2.
3. Press on the Compute button to get the Cb value
in the text box.
4. Press on the Update and Close button to update
the value of Cb in the Steel Loading and Bracing
Data form.

The Steel Loading and Bracing Data form can be activated
using the Loading and Bracing Data option on the Tools
. The length and Cb value for the
menu or by clicking
X direction are automatically updated as provided on the
Length Tab. Here you can provide the length and bracing
data for segments in the Y direction as well as two load
combinations. Provide the Segment Number, Starting and
Ending Points, and Cb values. You can double-click the Cb
cells to activate the Bending Coefficient form.
Steel Beam Designer
Two load combinations can also be input in this form.

Provide moments (Mx, My) and Shear (Vx, Vy) in both
the X and Y directions at different locations along the
members length. You can provide as many moment and
shear value sets as required for a load combination. The
program will design the member to satisfy all the loading
conditions specified.
Preparing Reports
report.
Steel Beam Designer


How t o Prepa re the Report
below:

the Report Menu.



Steel Beam Designer

use.

the Preview Form.
How to Add Result s to th e Report

Add button.


from the report.

have been added.
Form atting a Repo rt

tabs.
Steel Beam Designer

Previ ewing a Repor t

their functions:
Increase the magnification of the currently disPreparing Reports 3 -11
Steel Beam Designer
played page.
main window.


preview.
Click the Print

the report.
Chapter 4
Chapter

Introduction
This modules designs steel members subjected to axial
load and flexure. It suggests the cross-section required for
a given axial-flexural load. It takes into account the unbraced length to check for the lateral deflection. The module suggests the cross-section by calculating co-efficient
of bending. In addition to design, this module also analyzes a given cross-section for a given load. It calculates
section properties and slenderness ratio and checks the
adequacy of the section.
Initial Setup
Selecting Working Units
Start the program.
4-1


Steel Column Design program has one screen for overall
design of the beams. Whenever the Steel Column program
is activated, following menu options are available on the
form.
File
the results.
Start New Column: Choose this command to start a
new column for design or investigation.
Open Column Data: Select this command to open a

column data file previously saved.
Save Column Data: To save currently entered column
data, select this command.
Save Column Data As: To save currently entered column data for the first time or to save an existing column data file in another name.
Edit
Tools
options.
US, Metric or SI.
Loading and Bracing Data: Use this option to activate Loading and Bracing form to input the loading
and bracing values for X and Y directions. For more
details see section Steel Loading and Bracing.
Repo rt
Help
the program.
Topics.

ACECOMS activities.
Steel Column Designer program and the Copyright information.
Prints the currently displayed Results List to the
default printer.
Activates the Steel Loading and Bracing form.
Designing Steel Columns

1. Select the Working Units from the Tools menu as US,
Metric or SI.
2. Provide a title to the member and then enter appropriate values for the Steel Yield strength and Steel Ultimate strength.
3. For columns with axial loads only, provide the loading
values directly on the Loads Tab. For detailed loads
go to Step 6.
4. Lengths and Effective Length Factors in the X and Y
directions may be provided on the Length Tab.
5. Specify the Maximum Slenderness Limits for tension
and compression on the Options Tab.
6. Enter the design action data for one or two load combinations as required. As the column is the most general steel member, for each load combination the data
required are Distance, P, Mx, My and Vx, Vy.
7. Enter the appropriate data in the Bracing Data Section,
including the Length of Unbraced Segment and Kx1
along the X-axis. Segment Start and End, and Ky1,
Ky2, Cb1, Cb2, Cmy1, Cmy2 values along the Y-axis. All
parameters with subscripts 1 and 2 indicate the data
associated to load combinations cases 1 and 2 respectively.
8. If you are not sure about the value of any of the above
mentioned parameters, click on the button provided on
the side of the input box or double click on the cell of
the grid (table) to open the corresponding calculators.
9. Click the Design button after all the input data have
been provided. The program will design the beam according to the data provided and the results will be
displayed in the Results box. The Acceptable CrossSection list will also be displayed below the Results
box.
10. Click the Add button to add the currently displayed

results to the Report. The Report can then be previewed and printed.
Calculating Column Effective

Length Factor (K x , K y )
1. Click on the button provided to the side of the
input box for the Effective Length Factor or doubleclick on the table (grid) cell on the Steel Loading and
Bracing Data form to open the K Factor Calculator
dialogue box.
2. Select the Column framing case from the option buttons available. For some cases (stand alone or isolated
members) it is not necessary to provide any further information about the end framing conditions. For example, for a column with both ends fixed, K = 0.5.
3. In the case of a member that is a part of a frame, the
user must provide the necessary information about the
other member connected at the top and bottom ends of
the column.
4. Set the bracing conditions of the frame as Sway or
Non-Sway and then press the button on the vertical
tool bar, representing the framing condition of the
column.
5. Enter the values for the Effective Length (L) and
Flexural Stiffness (EI) in the respective text boxes.
There is also an option for calculating the EI value if
you are not sure about it.
Calculating Column Effective Length Factor (Kx, Ky) 4 -7
6. To compute the EI value press on the button to

open the Gross Cross-section Properties Dialog Box,
select the cross-section, enter the dimensions and then
click on the Compute button. This will display the EI
value. Now click on the OK button to go back to the
previous dialogue box and apply the EI value. You
can copy the EI value from one text box to another by
using CTRL+C (to copy) and then CTRL+V (to paste)
or use the right mouse button.
7. Press on the Compute button to get the K value and
then click on the OK button to go back to the main K
Factor Calculator dialogue box.
8. Press the OK button.
9. This will update the value of Kx and return to the
Steel Loading and Bracing Data form.
Calculating Column Coefficient

(C m )
1. Click on the button provided to the side of the
input box for Column Coefficient or double-click the
respective cell of the table (grid) on the Steel Loading
and Bracing Data form to open the Column Coefficient Calculator dialogue box.
2. First select End Condition: Transverse Load or Relative End Translation or Ends Rotationally Restrained. You may select any one of the options or in
combination and the end moment data text boxes will
be activated or deactivated accordingly. In some cases
it is not necessary to provide any information about
the end moments and the Cm will be calculated based
only on end conditions and the transverse load.
Calculating Column Effective Length Factor (Kx, Ky) 4-8
3. If activated enter data for End Moment M1 and M2.

4. Press on the Compute button to get the Cm value in
the text box.
5. Press the Update and Close button to update the
value of Cm on the Steel Loading and Bracing Data
form.
Calculating Bending Coefficient (C b )

1. The Bending Coefficient form can be activated by
clicking the button provided on the Length Tab,
in front of the Cbx text box. To calculate Cby doubleclick the Cb1 or Cb2 cell on the Steel Loading and
Bracing Data form.
2. On the form if you check the box Moments at any
Interior Point More than end moments you need
not have to enter the end moments; otherwise, enter
values for End Moments M1 and M2.
3. Press on the Compute button to get the Cb value in the
text box.
4. Press on the Update and Close button to update the
value of Cb in the Steel Loading and Bracing Data
form.

The Steel Loading and Bracing Data form can be activated
using the Loading and Bracing Data option on the Tools
menu or by clicking
. The length and Kx value for the
Calculating Column Effective Length Factor (Kx, Ky) 4 -9
X direction is automatically updated as provided on the

Length Tab. Here you can provide the length and bracing
data for segments in the Y direction as well as two load
combinations. Provide the Segment Number, Starting and
Ending Points, and Cm and Cb values. You can doubleclick the Cm and Cb cells to activate the Column or Bending Coefficient form.
Two load combinations can also be input in this form.
Provide Axial Load, Moments in both X and Y directions
(Mx, My,) and Shear in both X and Y directions (Vx, Vy)
at different locations along a members length. You can
provide as many axial load, moment and shear value sets
as you require for a load combination. The program will
design the member satisfying all the loading conditions
specified.
Preparing Reports
report.

How t o Prepa re the Report
below:

the Report Menu.




use.

the Preview Form.
How to Add Result s to th e Report

Add button.


from the report.

have been added.
Forma tting a Repor t

tabs.
Previ ewing a Repor t

their functions:

Increase the magnification of the currently displayed page.
main window.


preview.
Click the Print

the report.

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ACECOMS GEAR

General Engineering Assistant and Reference

USERS MANUAL AND

Asian Center for Engineering

Copyright ACECOMS, AIT, 2003.

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

Changing Authorization Level

Quitting the Program

Obtaining More Information and Technical Support1-14

Concept of Code (or Combined) Stress Ratio

Concept of Under-Strength and Over-Strength Factors

More on the Concept of Resistance Indices R

R: Index of Safety and Economy

Adding Results to a Report

Steel Beam Designer

How to Use the Module

Designing Steel Beams

Calculating Bending Coefficient (Cb)

Steel Loading and Bracing Data

How to Use the Module

Designing Steel Columns

Calculating Column Effective Length Factor

Calculating Column Coefficient (Cm)

Calculating Bending Coefficient (Cb)

Steel Loading and Bracing Data

Adding Results to a Report

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

Dead Load Reference

What is ACECOMS GEAR 1 -2

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

What is ACECOMS GEAR 1 -3

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

What is ACECOMS GEAR 1 -4

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

TwoWay Slab Designer

Flat Slab Designer

Steel Beam Designer

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

Steel Column Designer

What is ACECOMS GEAR 1 -6

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

Pile Cap Designer

Driven Pile Designer

How to Install GEAR

How to Install GEAR 1 -7

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

Step 1: Double -click My Computer on your desktop

Step 2: Double-click on the folder in which you saved the download

How to Install GEAR 1 -8

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

How to Install GEAR 1 -9

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

Step 5: Double-click on Setup.exe or Setup (the view may differ from

How to Install GEAR 1 -10

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

Step 8: Press Continue to complete this step.

How to Install GEAR 1 -11

Welcome to ACECOMS GEAR

Step 10: The setup has been completed successfully.

All the modules available in GEAR will be installed.

Changing Authorization Level