When Advance Concrete is opened the bar library can be chosen from the "Initialization of parameters" window. Each bar library contains the steel grades appropriate to the country standard.
To add a new steel grade into a standard, the bar library must be modified. The bar library is added at the installation of program in the following path:
- for Windows XP operating system: C:\Users\ User Name \AppData\Roaming\Graitec\AdvanceConcrete\2011\Catalog\bars.mdb
In the bar library, each steel grade has a table (PC 52, FE 500 HA, A-I, etc.). A new table with the desired steel grade must be created or a table that is already created can be copied and then modified, similarly to the one you want to add. The table must contain the columns: Name, Diameter_Nominal, Diameter_Real, Stirrup/Hook, Anchor, Bend, LengthAnchor, Weight, Section, Perimeter, MinimalEndLeg, MinimalInterLeg, and MinimalStraight/Color.
The diameter value is entered in the "Diameter_Nominal" column. The value of the nominal diameter is applied in list calculations and in the display of reinforcement symbols.
The diameter value is entered in the "Diameter_Real" column. The value of real diameter represents the thickness of drawn bars. Usually, the values of the nominal diameters are bigger than the values of the real diameters.
The value of the color index is entered in the "Color" column. These values can be found in the "Select Color" AutoCAD® property window. All columns must be filled for correct behavior.
The "SteelGradeList" table is accessed from the "Bars.mdb" file. A new characteristic line must be added in this table. To add a new line it is recommended to copy an existing line with the same standard. All columns must be filled.
The previously created table name must be added in the "Name" column. The standard which you want to use must be entered in the "Standard" column. This standard is chosen from the "Initialization of parameters" window when Advance Concrete is opened.
In the "RadiusDisplay" column, the initial display mode of the bar library is chosen from the Advance Concrete interface. If the "Fixed Diameter" parameter is added, then the default bar library will open with the "According to the nominal diameter" option enabled. If the "Fixed Value" parameter is chosen, then the default bar library will open with the "In units (mm, cm, etc.)" option enabled.
The acronym (abbreviation) for the new steel grade must be entered in the "Adherence" column. The acronym from "Adherence" will be displayed in the recapitulative lists.
The value of yield strength of the steel grade must be added in the "SteelLimit" column.
The "Units" table is accessed from the "Bars.mdb" file. A new characteristic line is added in this table. To add a new line it is recommended to copy an existing line with the same standard. All columns must be filled.
In conclusion, the following must be added in the "Bars.mdb" file:
- a new line in the "SteelGrade" table
- a new line in the "Units" table.
The added steel grade can be used when the standard is chosen from the "Initialization of parameters" window. The "Adherence" attribute is used for steel grade in the recapitulative list.
When the program is uninstalled, the modifications made (created) in the bar library will be deleted. It is recommended that a copy of this file should be made in another location before uninstalling the program.