Preliminary Design

Preliminary Design is a reliable tool for initial estimations in building design and sketching, since it allows you to quickly calculate values for resistance structures. The application requires that you enter certain input values and can estimate beam section length, slab thickness and column section.

Preliminary Design is easy to use, does not require installation and can instantly generate the results you are looking for. It is a reliable tool, especially in the initial phases of structure designing, but also in more advanced stages. It can immediately offer you the results you are looking for.

The required input value for the beam section is the length of the clear span, while for calculating the slab thickness, you need to provide the length in the short and the long direction.

For estimating the column section, you need to specify the dead and live load, as well as tributary area in long/short direction or the number of floors. All values are measured in meters, except for the dead/live load, which is expressed in kilo newtons per square meter.

Before checking the results, you may also set the approximate concrete strength, from the available range: 20, 25, 30, 25 or 40 MPa (mega pascals). The application can calculate the required values for the beam H and B sections, which are expressed in centimeters, based on the clear span.

The program indicates the recommended type of slab, for instance the two-way slab, as well as its minimum thickness, measured in millimeters. Moreover, in can calculate the column Hc and Bc sections, also measured in centimeters.

Preliminary Design can help you in the incipient stages of structure design, first assumptions and drafts. The algorithm it uses is based on the ACI-318-08 and is capable of estimating the minimum length of a beam’s H or B sections. Moreover, it can indicate the minimum slab thickness or column sections, based on input values.