CE 441 – Structural Design of Foundations

DESIGN PROBLEM #1

Develop an EXCEL spread sheet that will calculate the following for a rectangular, reinforced
concrete beam:

• As based on ACI strength requirements for flexure

• Minimum As based on ACI 9.6 only
• Ductility based on ACI 21.2
• Final As required
• Presents a table of options to the user for a range of bar sizes to select As provided
• Number and spacing of several bar sizes
• Reinforcing bar efficiencies (As required/As provided) as a percent < 100%
• Selected reinforcing bar ACI development length requirement, ld and ld′

The spread sheet must be completely general, accepting the following inputs:

• 28 day concrete strength, f′c

• Reinforcing bar yield strength, fy
• Beam width, b
• Beam depth, h
• Reinforcing depth, d
• Factored design moment, Mu

Additional requirements for the format of the spread sheet:

• Provide a header with student name, course number and title, and problem name.
• The spread sheet must be carefully organized and formatted so that it fits on one page.
• Input cells must be at the top of the spread sheet and clearly identified.
• Units of all inputs and outputs must be clearly indicated for each cell.
• No more than 3 significant figures may appear in any cell.

Submissions are to be both electronic and paper. The electronic copy must be submitted to the
grader via email. The grader will evaluate the spread sheet with a test beam to determine
correctness.

Spreadsheet file name: LASTNAME_CE441_DP1.XLS (any other name will be rejected)

Submissions are to be an individual effort and cannot be a copy of another student’s spreadsheet.