Development of Spreadsheet Design Tool for R.C.C. Two Way Slab Design Using V.B.A.

Abstract

Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) slabs are one of the most widely used structural elements in buildings, providing a flat horizontal surface for flooring and roofing. Their safe and economical design is crucial in structural engineering. While commercial design software like STAAD Pro and ETABS are powerful, they are often complex, require significant expertise and costly. On the other hand, manual design methods, though conceptually straightforward, can be time-consuming, repetitive, and prone to calculation errors. To address these challenges, this thesis presents the development of a spreadsheet-based design tool using Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for the analysis and design of RCC slabs. The tool aims to simplify and automate the structural design of one-way and two-way simply supported RCC slabs based on IS 456:2000 guidelines. The user-friendly Excel interface allows users to input essential design parameters such as slab dimensions, loading conditions, material grades (concrete and steel), and support configurations. The VBA code performs structural analysis, calculates design moments, determines the required area of steel reinforcement, checks serviceability criteria such as deflection, and provides reinforcement detailing as output. The developed tool has been validated using standard design problems with manual calculations and RCDC design software. Results show high accuracy and reliability, with significant time savings for design engineers. Additionally, the use of Excel and VBA ensures accessibility, making it a practical solution for students, educators, and professionals who may not have access to advanced design software. This thesis demonstrates that spreadsheet tools, when combined with simple programming logic, can provide efficient and accurate solutions for structural design. The tool can be further extended to cover more structural elements such as beams, columns, and footings, thereby increasing its scope and usability in practical applications.