mician@usfvax2.usf.edu.UUCP (Rudy Mician) (06/10/88)
Personal Computer (PC) Aided Design of Beams and
Mats as Combined Footings on Elastic Soils
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Author: Rudolf Mician, P.E.
16020 Glen Haven Dr.
Tampa, Florida 33618
(c) 1987 Tel (813) 960-8654
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Introduction:
Time is money especially when deadlines are set. The main reason to use
computers is to get reliable results in the shortest possible time.
Provided of course that you don't have to spend days or weeks to find our
how to use the program and that you don't have to spend a fortune for the
program and additional or new equipment to run it.
These are the points we kept in mind when developing the two programs
offered in this announcement.
Short History
Engineers were always intrigued by foundations on elastic soil. Winkler
defined the soil model used to this day in 1867. Hertz first analyzed
plates on elastic medium in 1884, and Zimmermann calculated railroad
tracks as beams on elastic foundation in 1888.
Westergaard with studies of pavement in 1926, Timoshenko (1940) and Hetenyi
(1946) - among others - laid the basis for modern engineering application
of elastic foundation.
With the arrival of computers and the works of Newmark (1949), Zienkiewicz
(1971), Panak (1972) and many others, the focus of attention in elastic
foundation engineering shifted to numerical methods.
While of great research value, numeric methods are to complex for routine
engineering tasks and require hardware far exceeding the capabilities of
PC's.
Classic Methods Best Suited for Personal Computers
PC's have the exceptional mathematical capabilities required by the classic
solutions of problems in the field of beams and mats on elastic soil while
the calculations can be confined within the limited memory available.
Using this approach the author designed the two programs (1984) and presented
first results of beam and mat calculations in ACI Journal (July / August 1985).
As in most "Paper and Pencil" methods of the past (Baker 1948, ACI 336.2R-1966,
Szava-Kovats 1967) Calculations of mat - mat strip - beam are closely related
in these programs, but many of the limitations and simplifications are dropped.
The Beam program prints "exact" solution and represents an ideal tool for
checking the results of mat calculations. For both programs only simple graphic
input preparation is required. Results can also be represented by graphs. If
required, graphs of results can be generated by the computer, using additional
software and a standard dot matrix printer.
Limitation
Beam Program
The Beam program has no stipulated limitations except that the "beam" - as
combined continuous footing shall be flexible and have a constant cross
section throughout the whole length. All types of gravity loads are simulated
by concentrated loads distributed as required. Weight of the "beam" itself,
uniform surface and linear loads may be included separately. Solution is
"exact" i.e. no approximations or simplifications are present.
Mat Program
Strict limits on mat flexibility are imposed by the code, but not by the
program. Mat has to be approximately square or rectangular and has to have
constant thickness. Variation of column spacing and gravity column loads are
not limited. Mat dimensions, number of columns and number of intermediate
points calculated are not limited.
A minimum distance between the edge column and mat edge is recommended.
Demo-Disks
Both Programs are available on demonstration Disks for $100* / program,
payable in advance and fully deductible from purchase price on demo-disk
return.
Prices
Program Demo
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Beam $ 600 $100
Mat 900 100
Both** 1300 200
Payable in US dollars in advance. (Special prices for schools and Universities
can be arranged.) With the purchase a software licence agreement has to be
signed by the customer.
* Make check payable to Rudolf Mician.
** Also available on one disk. (please specify)
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Rudy Mician mician@usfvax2.usf.edu
Usenet: ...!{ihnp4, cbatt}!codas!usfvax2!mician