How to interpret the reinforcement of a beam or column

Contents

General

A_y – Representation of the longitudinal reinforcement parallel to the local axis y’. Therefore, in most cases, this is the lower and upper reinforcement.
A_z – Representation of the longitudinal reinforcement parallel to the local axis z’. Therefore, in most cases, the lateral reinforcement.
A_wz – Representation of the transversal reinforcement parallel to the local axis z’. Therefore, in most cases, the cross-section of vertical bracket slots of stirrups per length unit ofthe beam.
A_wy – Representation of the transversal reinforcement parallel to the local axis y’. Therefore, in most cases, the cross-section of horizontal bracket slots of stirrups per length unit
of the beam.

Important

When translating theoretical longitudonal reinforcement amounts to practical amounts, the bars you use to meet the A_y calculated by Diamonds, may not be used a second time to meet the A_z amounts calculated by Diamonds.
For example: Diamonds calculates a longitudal reinforcement of A_y=600m² at the bottom of a beam. And a web reinforcement A_z =200mm² on each side (left and right) of the beam.

For the bottom reinforcement you decide to go with 3 bars ⌀16 (= 603mm²). Those 3 bars are for A_y, they may not be used again to meet the amounts for A_z !
For the web reinforcement you decide to go with 2 bars ⌀12 (= 226m²) on each side. Thus 4 bars in total. Those bars are for A_z, they may not be used again to meet the amounts for A_y!
If you rotate the local coordinate system x’y’z’, the direction of the reinforcement will change too!