Where Would We Be Without Columns Beams And Slabs?

By Author: Adam Nicolson
Total Articles: 475
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It is strange how we do not really notice the things around us. We see them but they barely register with us.

Take for example concrete columns, beams and slabs. Really boring, yet they are the three main components on every building we use. Without the ability to construct these components and join them together, we would have no tower blocks, sky-scrapers and no multi-storey car parks. Our schools, hospitals and shopping centres would take up far more ground space than they do now.

Designing Columns Beams and Slabs

Many people never think about what goes into putting up a modern building. They do not realise that the building has been designed and rigorously tested for stability by an engineer. Thousands of calculations have been made to ensure that each beam, column and slab fits together perfectly and is strong enough. This is done because if just one column or beam were to fail a large percentage or the entire building would come crashing to the ground. This process is, as you can imagine, extremely time consuming and can become tedious when you are making calculations for hundreds of components. For ...
... this reason structural engineers now use software to help them with this.

Concrete Column, Beam and Slab Design Software

Rather than use individual software packages for each of the different components engineers are increasingly turning to software packages. Oasys concrete column design software mainly checks that the pressure put on columns is not too great. In so doing, it also takes into account the strength of beams and slabs.

The analysis this software provides includes calculating axial loads and moments. It can be used to design all kinds of columns including circular and rectangular types. Because the materials used differ from building to building the ability to work with variable grades of steel, concrete and rebar is built into the software.

Software like this ensures that the buildings we use are safe and stay intact. This kind of software also ensures the cost of constructing our public buildings is kept to a minimum because it calculates the minimum amount and grade of materials that are needed to create a strong and stable building.

To find out more about Oasys concrete column design software and the many other engineering packages they offer visit their website.