This page provides you with tips on how to use the InfoCAD program system and answers frequently asked questions.

Contents

- Creating load groups for nonlinear calculations
- Identifying nodes or elements in the event of an error message
- Lateral force design with load-dependent strut angle
- Determining the contributing load cases and their weighting for a combination result
- Creating a print list for the output of results
- Transferring monitor contents to the log or other programs (clipboard)
- Printing selected data sets
- Exporting or importing table contents (clipboard)
- Selecting object groups
- Carrying out checks for an element selection
 

Creating Load Groups for Nonlinear Calculations

To perform nonlinear calculations (e.g., deflection theory), you first need to create complete load groups on the basis of existing load cases. This can be done automatically:

Click Combinations… in the Combination dialog. A list will appear containing all the variants resulting from the combination description. You can select the combinations you want from the list and then have them organized in load groups.

To create a load group for the extremal column force derived during linear calculation, activate the appropriate result (e.g., min Nx).
Now point to the column in question and click Combination Info from the shortcut menu.
Right-click in the display window. You can now create a load group based on the load combination determined at that location.

Identifying Nodes or other Elements in the Event of an Error Message

If an error messages appears during a calculation, the objects specified (nodes, elements, loads, etc.) can be easily identified by double-clicking the corresponding message. In the graphical user interface the respective object is marked and the view centers on it.

Explanation of InfoCAD Lateral Force Design According to
•    DIN 1045-1 (from Version 5.80, July 2002)
•    DIN Technical Report 102 (from Version 6.04, November 2003)

The design method described in DIN 1045-1 and DIN Technical Report 102 is based on a truss model with modifiable strut angle theta according to Zilch/Rogge (2002, P. 333 et seq.). Using this method, the minimum strut angle is determined load dependently as opposed to the EC 2 concept:

£ 3.0 for normal concrete according to DIN 1045-1 Eq. (73) £ 2.0 for lightweight concrete according to DIN 1045-1 Eq. (73) £ 7/4 according to DIN TR 102 (cf. ARS 11/2003 (11) and Ril. 804.4201(10))

The program suggests the value 1 (45° strut angle) for cot theta in the section dialog. You can freely adjust this, choosing any value between 0.58 and 3.0 (DIN 1045-1) or 0.58 and 7/4 (DIN TR 102).

In the calculation the value for cot theta is restricted to the permitted range. The actual effective strut angle of each check location is documented in the detailed log.

For instance, if you enter 3, the smallest permitted strut angle is always used for the calculation. This results in the minimum lateral force reinforcement Asw, and also the smallest absorbable lateral force VRd,max.

The ability to freely choose cot theta offers you a high degree of flexibility and should not be confused with the simplified method according to DIN 1045-1, Section 10.3.4 (5).

Literature

Allgemeines Rundschreiben Straßenbau
   des Bundesministeriums für Verkehr, Bau- und Wohnungswesen (Roadworks General Circular of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Construction and Housing)
   No. 8/2003 – No. 14/2003 from 7 March 2003.
   Verkehrsblatt-Verlag, Dortmund 2003.

DIN 1045-1, July 2001
   Structures Made out of Concrete, Reinforced Concrete and Prestressed Concrete
   Part 1: Design and Construction.
   Ref. No. DIN 1045-1:2001-07.
   Beuth Verlag GmbH, Berlin 2001

DIN 1045-1, July 2002
   Revisions to DIN 1045-1:2001-07.
   Ref. No. DIN 1045-1 Ber 1:2002-07.
   Beuth Verlag GmbH, Berlin 2002.

DIN Technical Report 102, Concrete Bridges
   Publisher: DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V.
   2nd Edition. Beuth Verlag GmbH, Berlin 2003.

Zilch, K.; Rogge, A.
   Bemessung der Stahlbeton- und Spannbetonbauteile nach DIN 1045-1 (Design of Reinforced Concrete and Prestressed Concrete Elements According to DIN 1045-1).
   Beton-Kalender 2002, Vol. 1, P. 217-359.
   Ernst & Sohn Verlag, Berlin 2002.

Determining the Contributing Load Cases and their Weighting for a Combination Result

Right-click the desired element. In the shortcut menu the 'combination info' option appears. This lists the currently active combination result of the contributing load cases with their respective weighting.
The function is only available if the display of results for a combination is enabled.

The combination info is available for node deformations, internal forces and soil pressures of all superpositions (load case combination, DIN 18800, DIN Technical Report, etc.).

Creating a Print List for the Output of Results

Print jobs can be stored in the print list. These jobs can contain any kind of system view, for instance, graphical illustrations as well as tabular system data. As the print list only contains a pointer to the desired views and tables, all changes to the system are reflected in the list.

Transferring Monitor Contents to the Log or other Programs (Clipboard)

The contents of the display area can be copied to the clipboard and pasted into a log file or third-party programs.
To do so, hold down the ALT key and pull open a window with the left mouse button. Use the Copy command (or 'Ctrl + C') to save the picture to the clipboard. The picture can then be pasted ('Ctrl + V') anywhere within a calculation log.
You can also transfer the contents to any program that supports the WMF transfer format (generally all Windows programs).

Printing Selected Data Sets

All data sets selected in the database can be sent directly to the printer. When selecting a closed branch, the selection includes all data sets belonging to that branch. Before printing, the print page(s) can be checked using the print preview.

Exporting or Importing Table Contents

The contents of a table can be transferred to other programs (for instance, 'MS-Excel') using the clipboard. To do this, select the desired lines and press 'Ctrl + C' to copy them to the clipboard. The contents can be pasted ('Ctrl + V') at any location.
When pasting the tables, make sure that both tables have the same number of columns.

Selecting Object Groups

Use the 'Select group' command to quickly select required objects.

This type of selection is also available within the commands, e.g., next to

.

Carrying out Checks for an Element Selection

Checks and calculations can be carried out for individual elements or element groups (for instance, for a section type). To do this, all you need to do is select the corresponding elements or element groups. The calculation menu then offers the 'Selected elements' option. The calculation selected there will be carried out for these elements only.