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

A_y doens’t count for A_z and visa versa. You should always determine the practical reinforcement based on A_y + A_z .
For example: if Diamonds finds for A_y =500mm²/m and for A_z =250mm²/m, the total amount of 750mm²/m should be placed!
If you rotate the local coordinate system x’y’z’, the direction of the reinforcement will change too!