How to define concrete reinforcement in Concrete overlay module

Prerequisites

Make sure you:

• Are logged in to your PROFIS Engineering account
• Have opened the Concrete overlay module

If needed, refer to the article How to access the Concrete overlay module in PROFIS Engineering.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Open the Concrete member tab
   In your Concrete overlay design workspace, navigate to the Concrete member tab on the left-hand side of the screen. 

   

2. Expand the Reinforcement section
   Click on the arrow to expand the Reinforcement section.

   

   Define Reinforcement for the Existing Member

3. Define surface reinforcement
   Under Existing member → Surface reinforcement, choose one of the following:
   • None: No surface reinforcement present
   • Wide:  Widely spaced reinforcement

   • Dense: Closely spaced reinforcement

     

4. Enable Reinforcement to limit splitting cracks (optional)
   Tick Reinforcement to limit splitting cracks if the existing member has additional bars intended to limit splitting failures.

   

   Define Reinforcement for the Overlay / New member

5. Define surface reinforcement
   Under Overlay / New member → Surface reinforcement, choose one of the following:
   1. None – No surface reinforcement present
   2. Wide – Widely spaced reinforcement

   3. Dense – Closely spaced reinforcement

      

6. Enable Reinforcement to limit splitting cracks (optional)
   Tick Reinforcement to limit splitting cracks if the overlay includes splitting‑crack control reinforcement.

   

7. Select the Interface Condition
   Choose one of the following:
   1. Reinforced interface
      • Assumes a shear‑friction reinforcement layer across the interface.
      • Increases permissible interface shear stress.

   2. Unreinforced interface

      • Interface relies on concrete surface quality only.
      • Appropriate for bonded overlays without interface reinforcement.

      If you select Unreinforced interface, an additional option appears:
      Constructive reinforcement (optional)
      Enable Constructive reinforcement if minimal reinforcement is placed only for integrity, not for shear transfer.

      

Tip

Accurate definition of surface reinforcement ensures the interface shear capacity is neither overestimated nor underestimated.