SPREADSHEETS FOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

ShortCol – Axial, Flexural, Shear and Torsion Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Members

ShortCol is a powerful spreadsheet tool for designing reinforced concrete members—such as columns and beams—subjected to combined axial load, bending, shear, and torsion. It supports building and bridge design in accordance with the codes of the USA, Canada, and Australia. Using strain compatibility analysis, ShortCol provides accurate assessment of ultimate flexural capacity and ensures reliable crack control under service loads. For a deeper understanding of this topic, download the Mathcad algorithm (PDF) .

• Generates uniaxial and biaxial ULS axial force–bending moment interaction diagrams
• Performs serviceability limit state analysis for crack control and distribution of tensile reinforcement
• Calculates shear and torsion resistance
• Supports circular, rectangular, chamfered, and T-beam cross-sections
• Computes cracked section properties
• Enables quick definition of both standard and irregular reinforcement layouts
• Features US and SI units
• Complies with major design codes: ACI 318, AASHTO, AS 3600, AS 5100.5, CSA A23.3, and CSA S6

• Column slenderness effects are not yet considered
• Biaxial analysis is approximate, based on interaction formulas between the two principal axes
• Maximum of 200 reinforcing bars per section
• Prestressing steel is not supported
• Unbonded reinforcement is not supported
• Concrete stress distribution is modeled as an equivalent rectangular block at ULS and a triangular distribution at SLS