Expert Interactive Design of R/C Columns Under Biaxial Bending

Abstract

A new computer‐based approach to the problem of design of reinforced concrete columns that may be subjected to biaxial bending is presented. Previous approaches to the design of concrete columns (including those with biaxial bending) using computers have been primarily based on iterative numerical analysis. The EIDOCC (Expert Interactive Design of Concrete Columns) program described in this paper uses the accumulated experience and knowledge of experts in the field of concrete column design to account for the issues involved in the design in order to make an optimal design proposal for given loadings. The approach used in the program is that of an “expert system” and the program is developed to run on a microcomputer. The developed computer program is interactive, and it incorporates an accurate analysis routine which enables the user to analyze both the sections proposed by the design routine and any other concrete column sections.