Interactive and Educative Software for Designing Concrete Mixtures Utilizing Saudi Building Code

Abstract

The main objective of Saudi Building Code (SBC) is the minimum requirements, and investigating public health and safety through stability of buildings and facilities and the protection of life and property from hazards associated buildings. The quality control systems of concrete are gaining great importance to ensure the successful application of SBC for concrete structures, and it is necessary to be aware of its requirements and to highlight the benefits of it. It was difficult to follow the procedures of code by most of engineers or engineering students because of huge number of charts, tables and equations. This research aims in spreading the culture of design by code utilizing e-learning. This computer-aided design software has to go through uncomplicated steps until reaching the design values of concrete mixture proportions. This software is a first phase begins with designing concrete mixtures, evaluating the test results of hardened concrete and quality control of the implementation of new projects. This research shows the role of Qassim University in serving and developing the community. The Saudi Building Code was first issued in 2007. It consists of 13 main volumes, among which is SBC301 which is the loading and forces requirements. Design of concrete mixtures is a requirement in the Saudi Building Code. It was essential to develop an interactive software with an easy graphical user interface to be brilliant solution to design problem. This software goes through uncomplicated steps until reaching the values of concrete mixture proportions and the evaluation of test results.