CAST (Computer Aided Strut-and-Tie) Design Tool

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Daniel A. Kuchma* and Tjen N. Tjhin**

* Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2114 Newmark Laboratory,
205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801; PH 217-333-1571; kuchma@uiuc.edu
** Graduate Research Assistant, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2143 Newmark
Laboratory, 205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801; PH 217-265-8042; tjhin@uiuc.edu
Abstract
The Strut-and-Tie Method (STM) is an emerging procedure for the design of D- (Discontinuity)
Regions. D-Regions are those parts of a structure in which there is a complex variation in strain,
such as corbels, deep beams, joints, and walls with openings. The STM design process involves
idealizing that an internal truss carries the load through the discontinuity region to its boundaries,
providing sufficient reinforcement to serve as the tension ties, and then checking that the
compressive struts and nodal zones (joints) are sufficiently large enough to support the applied
forces. While the STM is conceptually simple, calculating and modifying the dimensions of the
truss and its members can be prohibitively time consuming. This paper describes a graphical
design tool that enables the user to draw the D-Region to be designed, draw an internal
supporting truss, select member dimensions, and select tension tie reinforcement. The program
continuously recalculates the truss and nodal zone forces (and stresses), and thereby creates an
efficient interactive STM design tool.
B-Regions and D-Regions
For the purpose of the design, a structure may be divided into B- (Beam) Regions and D(Discontinuity) Regions. B-Regions are those parts of the structure in which there is a linear
variation in strain over the depth of the member, while D-Regions are those parts of a structure in
which there is a complex variation in strain. Based on St. Venants principle, D-Regions lie
within a longitudinal distance equal to the depth of the member from a concentrated force (load
or reaction point), change in section depth, an opening, or another discontinuity. As Figure 1
illustrates, a large portion of even common structures are D-Regions.
D
B

D
B
D

B
D

D
D

B
D

Figure 1: Example of D-Regions in Common Structures

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An emerging methodology for the design of all types of D-Regions is to envision and design an
internal truss, consisting of concrete compressive struts and steel tension ties that are
interconnected at nodes, to support the imposed loading through to the boundaries of the
discontinuity region. This design methodology is called the Strut-and-Tie Method1-9 (STM). The
design process involves the steps described below. In Figure 2, these steps are illustrated using a
variety of D-Region designs examples including a corbel, a corner joint, a dapped-ended beam,
and a deep beam.
(i) Define the boundaries of the D-Region and determine the imposed local and sectional forces.
(ii) Sketch the internal supporting truss, determine equivalent loadings, and solve for truss
member forces.
(iii) Select reinforcing or prestressing steel to provide the necessary tie capacity and ensure
that this reinforcement is properly anchored in the nodal zone (joint of the truss).
(iv) Evaluate the dimensions of the struts and nodes, such that the capacity of these components
(struts and nodes) is sufficient to carry the design forces values.
(v) Provide distributed reinforcement to ensure ductile behavior of the D-Region.

Tie
h

(ii)

kN

kN

50

41

356 kN
734 kN
378 kN

1446 kN

15

356 kN
50
3
kN

734 kN
1090 kN

1090 kN

169 kN-m

2 layers of #13 @ 250 mm o.c.

5 #13 two-legged
stirrups @ 150 mm

Strut

386 kN-m

2 layers of
#13 @ 300 mm o.c.

356 kN

(i)

75

25 mm

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Strut-and-Tie Method (STM) Design Procedure

m
m

50

m 75
m
mm

Cut off 2 #25 bars

12
5m
m

2 layers of 4 #25

(v)

(iii & iv)



Figure 2: Strut-and Tie Models and Steps in Design

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Complications and Barriers to Design by the STM

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While the STM is a conceptually simple design tool, there are numerous uncertainties and
complications that can encumber the five-step design procedure. A few of these are briefly
described below:
Strut and Node Capacity: The ultimate stress at failure in struts and nodal zones is influenced by
several factors including shape, state of strain/cracking, and the level of confinement. The
influence of these factors is poorly understood and this leads to uncertainties in the design
method. Additionally, designers are not able to take advantage of factors that they believe would
increase capacity or improve behavior.
Geometry of Struts and Nodal Zones: It is unclear how to define the effective dimensions of
struts and nodal zones. This is particularly difficult for configurations in which more than 3
members intersect. Since the capacity of the struts and nodes are directly proportional to their
effective widths, this creates uncertainties in the design process.
Anchorage of Tie Reinforcement: In the cut-away truss, the transfer of forces between members
and the anchorage of tension ties occurs entirely in the nodal zone. In the full structure (filledin truss), this force transfer is more broadly distributed. There are uncertainties about anchorage
requirements, the need to distribute reinforcement throughout the nodal region, and the factors
that influence these requirements. See Figure 3a.
Truss Geometry and Dimensions: The initially selected geometry of the truss, including strut and
nodal zone dimensions, must often be adjusted in order to satisfy stress limit criteria, to
investigate other configurations, and to optimize the design. This can make hand-solutions
prohibitively time consuming, particularly for the design of complex structures for which there is
the need to consider multiple load cases.
Statically Indeterminate Trusses: The non-linear axial stiffness characteristics of struts and ties
are poorly understood. Consequently, the designer has little guidance for determining the
distributions of loads in indeterminate strut-and-tie (truss) models. See Figures 3b and 3c.

Figure 3a: The influence of

anchorage conditions on the
shape and strength of struts

Figure 3b: Two load paths

for how a point load is
supported in a deep beam

Figure 3c: The indeterminate

strut-and-tie model used in
designing the SkyDome

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Overview of the CAST (Computer Aided Strut-and- Tie) Education and Design Tool
The CAST program is being developed to provide both students and practitioners with a
graphical design tool that makes the design process more efficient and transparent. The first
author has had the opportunity to teach the STM to 9 classes of students. It has been his
experience that students readily take to the STM. This is believed to be due to their familiarity
and confidence in the simple mechanics of a truss. Students are also able to readily appreciate the
rational for the various STM design provisions that have been developed. However, once a
specific design assignment is given, they can quickly become bogged down in the details of
calculating truss member forces and ensuring that the dimensions of the struts and nodal zones
are sufficient to support the imposed loadings. The CAST program is a graphically interactive
design tool has been under development for the last 2.5 years. While the program already
provides basic capabilities, additional development is ongoing in order to enable the designer to
quickly optimize his or her design, handle multiple load cases, and generate final drawings. The
program is also being designed to serve as an instructional device, familiarizing students and
practitioners with both the program and the strut-and-tie design philosophy.

Design Sequence Using Program CAST
The user begins by defining the boundaries of the D-Region using a mouse, by numerical entry,
or by selecting an object from a group of templates. The position of all of the nodes that define
the shape of the object can be easily redefined. The applied loading, bearing plates, material
properties, and support conditions can then be selected from toolbars or specified in dialogue
boxes. To help the user in the selection of a truss, an elastic finite element analysis feature is
being developed to generate stress contours and principal stress trajectories. The designer defines
the truss by first selecting the location of the center of the nodes and then forming truss members
by interconnecting these nodes. The truss can then be analyzed, with the results being displayed
alongside the truss member. Using a toolbar, the user can then select and position the estimated
tension tie reinforcement as well as select the widths of the compressive struts. The capacity of
the struts and ties as well as the applied stress on the faces of the nodes can then be displayed.
The designer can use the nodal zoom edit tools to change features of the node that influence node
and truss geometry, and thereby affect the stresses on the face of the nodes and design strengths.
Once the user is satisfied with the design, the detailed design including member forces,
capacities, stresses on the faces of nodal zones, and reinforcement details can be printed.
A few images from the CAST design tool are illustrated in Figure 4.
Obtaining Program CAST
An alpha version of Program CAST is available for downloading from www.ce.uiuc.edu/kuchma
and then by following the link to the Strut&Tie home page. Registration is required prior to
downloading CAST and potential users are warned that this program is still a work in progress
and that the authors accept no responsibility for errors in the program. A beta version of this
program is expected to be completed by the Spring of 2002. On the Strut&Tie home page, a
guide to using program CAST and several detailed design examples that were created using
CAST are also provided.

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CAST - Yanez, Park, and Paulays Structural Wall with Openings

File E dit View Select Construct Define Assign Analysis Display Options Window Help
S&
T

X, Y

SEL
S/T
NODE

CAST
X - Y Plane (Window 1)
X - Y Plane (Window 2)

J9

Strut1
-100 kN

Tie2
100 kN

J7

100 kN

J2

Strut2
-100 kN

J3

J10

-2

St
ru
64 t4
kN

Tie5
0 kN

S
-1 trut3
32
kN

Tie7

J6

Tie3
86 kN

Tie1
100 kN

S
-1 trut6
32
kN

Strut6
-86 kN

100 kN

S/T
PRP

J5

86 kN

100 kN

J3

Tie4
86 kN

Tie5
0 kN

CLR
ALL

Strut2
-100 kN

Tie8
86 kN

J2

100 kN

Tie6
172 kN

SEL SEL
S/T
ELEM ALL

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SI Unit

J13

S/T
PRP

100 kN

J5

Node ACI
PRP CCC
ACI
CCT

ACI
CTT

Assign Tie Properties

Figure 4: Image that Describe the CAST Education and Design Tool

Detailed Capabilities of CAST
While a few finite element based programs have been written to help in the selection and
10-16
evaluation of strut-and-tie models
, it is believed that this is the first program with the
capabilities that were summarized above and are more fully described below. Note that most
aspects of capabilities C1 and C2, and, a small number of C5 and C6 have been completed over
the last two and a half years.
C1: GUI for Drawing Capabilities
Capabilities
define structure boundaries either
graphically or numerically
standard drawing features (cut, copy, paste,
move, zoom, pan, unlimited redo and undo)
toolbars and dialogue boxes for defining
common elements such as loading forces,
material properties, supports, & bearing plates
define joints by mouse or in dialogue box
define struts and ties by interconnecting nodes

C5: Advanced Drawing and Input/Output

ability to print all images
displayed comparison of member loads & capacities
option for display of stresses on nodal zone faces
nodal zoom feature for additional details
easy adjustment of details to adjust capacities
CAD input/output features
create tab delimited files that save design details
and results of design in spreadsheet format

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C2: Truss Solution and Member Definitions

C6: Automesh Generation and Elastic Stresses
analysis of truss at command
automesh generation and finite element analysis
stability checked with warning messages
contour plots of stresses
labeling of truss member values
plots of principal strain trajectories
selection of characteristics of struts and nodes
dialogue box for selection of tie reinforcement C7: Non-Linear Truss Analysis
illustrated dimensions and stress intensities
estimate non-linear characteristics of struts and ties
estimate forces in statically indeterminate trusses
predict load deformation response
C3: Libraries and Truss Reconfigurations
templates for common D-Regions and trusses
option to use concrete ties
autoselection of truss for design of B-regions
C8: Additional and Advanced Capabilities
user selected truss and node shapes
help feature with info. on benefits of confinement,
fiber reinforcement, and improved anchorage
C4: Load Conversions and Multiple Load Cases
auto conversion of distributed and sectional
truss checker program (failure mode, dimensions of
forces to point load on truss elements
nodal regions, serviceability, suggestions)
display of multiple dependent and
on-line info on allowable stresses/intl codes
independent windows
extension for the design of 3-dimensional structures
analysis of design for alternate load cases
instructional tutorial for program CAST

Conclusions
Design by the elegant Strut-and-Tie Method is often encumbered by the need to perform many
time consuming calculations that are required to determine truss members forces and
dimensions. This is a barrier to the use of the STM, particularly for the design of highly complex
D-Regions, for multiple load cases, or for design optimization. The CAST design tool was
developed to overcome these barriers by creating a interactive graphical design and analysis tool.
References
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3.) Schlaich, J. and Schfer, K., Design and Detailing of Structural Concrete Using Strut-andTie Models, The Structural Engineer, Vol. 69, No. 6, March 1991, pp. 113-125.
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7.) CSA Technical Committee on Reinforced Concrete Design, A23.3-94 Design of Concrete
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