CDS3M Help

01 Projects

Manages your project files and directories.

1.1 PROJECTS DIRECTORY — Create or open a projects folder where all projects are saved.

1.2 PROJECT DATA — Enter general project data (name, location, client, designer). This data is printed in all reports.

1.3 NEW — Write a new project name to create it.

1.4 OPEN — Open an existing project from the list.

1.5 DELETE — Delete an existing project.

1.6 EXIT — Exits the program.

02 Slabs

2.1 NEW SLAB — Write the new slab name to create it.

2.2 SELECT SLAB — Select, Save As, or Delete the selected slab.

2.3 SLAB DATA — Define slab parameters:

• Floor height (useful for column design)
• Slab thickness — initial guess
• Number of repetitions (for column load calculations)
• Concrete stress fc (kg/cm²)
• Yield stress for main steel and stirrups (kg/cm²)

2.3.1 FILLING — Select block type and dimensions for rib slab.

2.3.2 CROSS RIB — Define cross rib length, stirrup type, and steel for quantity calculations.

2.3.3 STEEL MESH — Select the type of steel mesh used.

2.3.4 SOLID SLAB — Define solid slab parameters and strip width.

03 Beams / Ribs

3.1 SETTINGS — Define settings for beams, ribs, and slabs. Cross section types: Rectangle, T, L.

Settings include: min/max steel diameters, stirrup spacing, steel cover, anchor lengths, and negative bar settings.

3.2 ANALYSIS / DESIGN — Create and design structures. Operations per structure:

• Analysis / Design — full analysis and design
• Steel Bars — show steel bar details
• Shear Design — design for shear stresses
• Copy from slab — import structure from any slab

3.3 LONG TIME DEFLECTION — Calculates long-time deflection. Requires DL, LL, sustained load %, and duration in months.

04 Columns

4.1 SETTINGS — General settings for columns per your design code.

4.2 COLUMNS DATA — Manage column data. Prepare reactions from beams or update manually.

4.3 DOWNLOAD LOADS — Calculate cumulated column loads from selected slabs (for interior floors).

4.4 GROUPS DESIGN — Group columns with the same shape and load range. Design workflow: Name → Enter → Main Data → Design → Results → Save.

4.4.1 MAIN DATA — Input: shape, dimensions a×b, No. of columns, length, Pu, Mux, curvature mode, lateral load exposure.

4.4.6 INTERACTION DIAGRAM — Calculates and plots the interaction diagram for rectangular sections.

05 Foundations

5.1 SETTINGS — Settings for isolated, combined, and pile footings. Define min bars, depth, steel %, cover, anchor, and load factor.

5.4 DESIGN — Design a new footing: Name → Enter → Main Data → Design → Results → Save quantities.

5.4.4 RESULTS — Shows Mu, steel area, diameter, quantities and length in both directions. Also footing dimensions and soil pressure at corners.

06 Graphics

Used to locate and prepare drawing sheets for plotting. Contains drawing tools and a text editor.

• Select — choose slab and sheet
• Sheet — create, copy or delete sheets
• Locate — locate designed structure in sheet
• Plot — print using printer or plotter

07 Quantities

7.1 STEEL UPDATE — Update steel quantities for Extra, Slab, and Footing. Modify or create new entries.

7.2 STEEL PRINT — Print steel tables (slabs, beams, columns, footings).

• Format 1 — each structure table separately
• Format 2 — all structures in one combined table
• Round up length — round bar lengths (e.g., up to 25 or 50 cm)

08 Settings

8.1 SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION — Company info, language, calculation code, logo.

8.2 PRINTER — Font, size, paper size.

8.3 PLOTTER — Plotter configuration and page data.

8.4 AREAS FOR ROUND BARS — Reference table for bar cross-sectional areas.

8.5 AREAS FOR SPACING — Reference table for areas based on spacing.

8.6 FILLING — Block types and dimensions for rib slabs.

8.7 STEEL MESH — Available steel mesh types.

09 Reports

9.1 BEAM / RIB REPORT — Select items to include. Add notes. Includes full analysis and design calculations.

9.2 COLUMN REPORT — Detailed column design report.

9.3 COLUMNS NECK REPORT — Column necks data report.

9.4 FOUNDATION REPORT — Complete foundation design report.