RC column design calculation settings problem

[anna.jancy]

Hi,

I'm using robot 2016 version with all service packs and hotfixs installed. My message is related to RC Design Provided reinforcement module and I think there's a bug connected with setting up the calculations options.

I wanted to detail a reinforcement in the column using 'RC Design Provided reinforcement' module. Calculations are run due to Eurocode requirements with British annex. Before starting calculations procedure, I wanted to define my own settings and later save it with new name. In the calculation options window I wanted to set up two important things:

1) Method of calculation biaxially bent rectangular columns -> equation selected

2) Simplified second order analysis method -> nominal curvature selected

Later I 'save as..' my parameters with new name.

After adding it to the program, the settings are not assign to my column. In the 'general' settings on the left side I'm choosing from drop-down menu my saved settings.

After running the calcs I realized that is something wrong with calculations. I had a bad value of minimum eccentricity. I checked my settings again in 'calculation options' window and in my saved settings robot changed by itself method of calculation second order effects for nominal stiffness. This bug shows up no matter how I will name my new settings. Even without running the calcs settings changes after choosing proper one from drop-down menu to assign it to the column.

I also checked what is happening when I set the same settings in the main windows (structure -> geometry) and later Design -> Required Reinforcement for Beams/Columns - Options -> Code parameters -> additional parameters. I choose equation and nominal curvature. I assign new settings to the column.

After coming back to the RC column design module I used an option 'RC element update' and in the 'calculation options' window are set settings from previous window in the geometry, but in the drop-down menu on the left in 'general' menu is empty cell. This's not a good things, because I cannot check which calculation options I have already set. The calcs run with nominal curvature method.

It looks like a bug in RC column design module. I design the same column in the few Robot versions: 2015, 2016, 2017. The only version with proper calculation options after saving a settings with user name is Robot 2015. The bug shows up in the 2016 and 2017 version. I prepared an example models in three version of Robot in attach (in the file names is each version of Robot which I created the file). It also happens in the other files (from my project). I have to deal with around 400 columns in one file, so choosing settings from drop-down menu is really helpful, because I can assign them to many selected columns. Unfortunately Robot changes settings by itself.

Do you think this is a bug in the 2016 and 2017 version of Robot? 

Thanks for help,

Anna

[Artur.Kosakowski]

Hi,

I have checked on RSA 2017 and indeed the names of selected buckling model and calculation options labels are not displayed but they are used as assigned for each of the column (there is no change in e.g. in the selection of simplified second order analysis method). What you have to remember is that when you update the column in the RC provided Reinforcement module from a model the assigned buckling model is taken from the RC member required reinforcement type assigned for this bar so make sure you set it correctly there.

If you find your post answered press the Accept as Solution button please. This will help other users to find solutions much faster. Thank you.

[anna.jancy]

Yes, but I don't want to change the settings for each column separably, because I have around 400 in one file. The only way how to do it quickly in RC Design Prov. reinf. is to select all of them from each story and choose a calculation options from drop-down menu on the left. When I'm doing it, calculation options are changed, because Robot does it by itself. During selection of many columns, the icons on the right menu becomes grey. I can't change it as for one column. It's something wrong with saving user's settings. In Robot 2015 everything is fine, I can assign my settings from drop-down menu for selection of many columns and the calculation options are unchanged.

[Artur.Kosakowski]

Yes, but I don't want to change the settings for each column separably, because I have around 400 in one file. The only way how to do it quickly in RC Design Prov. reinf. is to select all of them from each story and choose a calculation options from drop-down menu on the left. 

You can assign predefined set of Calculation options to many columns at the same time in the way you described above  (selection of the columns in the Inspector and selection of the previously saved Calculation Options parameters. 

When I'm doing it, calculation options are changed, because Robot does it by itself.

I have made some tests and I can see that this happens only when you select different than Nominal Stiffness second order analysis method. It seems that this parameter is not saved in the label and in such saved parameters the method is reset to the Nominal Stiffness regardless of your choice. All other parameters are saved correctly.

I can't change it as for one column. It's something wrong with saving user's settings

Actually you can and it is currently the only way of setting different method then the Nominal stiffness, however when you set this settings under a name this name will not be shown as the method in the saved parameters will be reset back to the Nominal stiffness, so such set will not be the same as your settings in the dialog (Robot will use the settings from the dialog for calculations so e.g. nominal curvature method)

In other words if you saved the label with the Nominal Stiffness method you can assign it to many columns at the same time in the Inspector. If you assign any predefined Calculation options label to a column where you set other method it will be changed to the Nominal stiffness one. 

During selection of many columns, the icons on the right menu becomes grey.

This is as designed. If you select only one Column in the Inspector it will be available again.

In Robot 2015 everything is fine, I can assign my settings from drop-down menu for selection of many columns and the calculation options are unchanged.

In Robot 2016 and 2017 the parameters are stored in the different format and this is, I assume, what caused this issue.

[anna.jancy]

I have made some tests and I can see that this happens only when you select different than Nominal Stiffness second order analysis method. It seems that this parameter is not saved in the label and in such saved parameters the method is reset to the Nominal Stiffness regardless of your choice. All other parameters are saved correctly.

This is my main problem - I want to use nominal curvature method, not nominal stiffness. This two types of calculations are not similar, so it's not good when Robot is changing automatically way of analysis without user's knowledge (I'm still talking about my defined settings). Somebody can be convinced that choose nominal curvature method, save the settings and in the result note isn't even noted that calculations are made in nominal stiffness method. If program gives you opportunity of choosing calculation method, shouldn't change it by itself. I've noticed only this setting is changing after saving my preferences.

If you assign any predefined Calculation options label to a column where you set other method it will be changed to the Nominal stiffness one. 

My question is: why Robot does it? It shouldn't be like this.

In Robot 2016 and 2017 the parameters are stored in the different format and this is, I assume, what caused this issue.

I think the software producer should repair this. This is a huge problem, when program is changing calculation options saved by user. Can I report it somewhere?

[Artur.Kosakowski]

It is not what was intended. I have already reported this on your behalf.

If you find your post answered press the Accept as Solution button please. This will help other users to find solutions much faster. Thank you.

[anna.jancy]

That's fine. Thanks for help.