You can input the reinforcement of the pier cap manually or use the auto design feature.

For LRFD California the user may use Bundled Bars option for the main reinforcement. A library can be created and saved. The user has to input the name, the type and the number of the bars and the program compute the total are of the reinforcement.

To begin, select the part of the structure you want to design from the Selection list, e.g., cap or desired strut. Then, input the reinforcement manually or use the Auto Design feature, as follows.

Clicking Auto Design will have the program automatically design the selected component of the structure. You must select the main bar size, stirrup size, number of legs and stirrup increment after clicking this button. Auto design is based on the structural requirement, not the serviceability requirement. Also, a maximum of three layers of main rebars, either at the top or bottom of cap, are designed using this feature.

You can switch to view either the main bars or the stirrups.

To manually input the main bars, switch to Edit main bars and then enter the values in the text boxes at the bottom of the screen (below the diagram) and click Add. Note that you must select the bar size from the list. You can modify existing reinforcement in the list by highlighting it, making the appropriate changes, and clicking Modify. To delete an existing reinforcement, highlight it and click Delete.

To manually input stirrups, first switch to Edit/View stirrups by selecting the stirrups option on this tab. The view will change to show the stirrup data. Then specify the starting location and ending location of the stirrups, their size, spacing and number of legs and click Add. The stirrup set will get added and will be displayed on the sketch. To add additional sets, repeat the same. To modify any existing set, select that set, make changes to it and then click Modify. To delete an existing set, highlight the row and click Delete.

Once the reinforcement is entered, an updated view of the component will be displayed in the top portion of the screen. You can click Design Status to display a design summary of the selected component, which can be printed out. If you want to see the results for Cap End then you have to check" Show Cap End Results" check box. Clicking Sketch will display a graphical representation with section details of the selected structure.

You can also view the design results by selecting the Diagrams option from the Show menu (or selecting its respective icon on the toolbar). This activates the Diagrams screen. Select the Design option to display the graphic design results. Note the graphic design results are only available after you complete the design.