RKALC Learning Centre

learn structural analysis and design through practical engineering workflows.

Explore practical video series, engineering guides and worked examples covering structural modelling, loading, analysis, verification and design using RKALC tools and Australian Standards.

Featured learning series

Steel warehouse modelling, analysis and design

Follow a large twin-portal-frame warehouse from initial model development through gravity and wind loading, analysis, serviceability review and member design.

FeaKALC 3D model of a twin-portal-frame steel warehouse Complete learning series
3 video episodes Engineering guide Worked example

Design a steel warehouse using FeaKALC 3D

This learning series demonstrates the complete structural workflow for a large twin-portal-frame warehouse. It combines software modelling with the engineering decisions required to establish loads, interpret results and verify the final design.

  • Develop the three-dimensional structural model.
  • Apply gravity actions to AS/NZS 1170.1.
  • Develop wind actions to AS/NZS 1170.2.
  • Review reactions, force diagrams and deflections.
  • Assess precamber and serviceability requirements.
  • Verify primary steel members to AS 4100.
Featured learning series

Strut-and-Tie Modelling for reinforced concrete design

Learn how discontinuity regions (D-regions) are idealised into struts, ties and nodes, then verified using Australian design requirements through practical RKALC examples.

Strut-and-Tie Modelling example in RKALC Complete learning series
Growing video series Engineering guide Worked examples

Design reinforced concrete discontinuity regions using RKALC

This learning series introduces the engineering principles of Strut-and-Tie Modelling before demonstrating complete design workflows within RKALC. From establishing load paths to checking nodal stresses and reinforcement requirements, the focus remains on understanding the structural behaviour rather than simply obtaining software results.

  • Identify B-regions and D-regions within reinforced concrete members.
  • Develop rational strut-and-tie models representing load paths.
  • Establish strut, tie and nodal forces.
  • Verify nodal capacities and concrete strut stresses.
  • Design reinforcement required for tension ties.
  • Apply Australian design provisions using RKALC.
Featured learning series

TribKALC column load rundown and optimisation

Learn how to convert an architectural floor plan into column loads, optimise column sizes and verify results through practical RKALC workflows suitable for multi-storey reinforced concrete buildings.

TribKALC Column Load Rundown Example Complete learning series
Growing video series Engineering workflow Worked example

Generate column load rundowns directly from architectural plans

This learning series demonstrates a complete TribKALC workflow, from importing and calibrating a PDF floor plan through to tracing slabs, walls, cores and columns, generating tributary loads, optimising column sizes and validating results using FEAKalc 3D. The emphasis is on understanding the engineering process while reducing hours of repetitive manual calculations.

  • Import and calibrate architectural PDF floor plans.
  • Trace slabs, walls, cores and columns.
  • Generate tributary areas and column load rundowns.
  • Optimise reinforced concrete column sizes.
  • Create professional optimisation reports automatically.
  • Verify reactions and loads using FEAKalc 3D.
Featured learning resource

ReoMark quantity take-off, optimisation and sustainability

Learn how to create structured reinforcement markups, prepare reliable quantity take-offs and use reinforcement data to support cost planning, tonnage optimisation and sustainability decisions throughout the structural design lifecycle.

ReoMark reinforcement quantity take-off and optimisation example Complete video walkthrough
Single video Engineering workflow Worked example

Make reinforcement quantities visible from concept design

This walkthrough demonstrates how ReoMark supports quantity-aware structural engineering from preliminary design through to detailed documentation. It shows how engineers can replace informal hand markups with a structured digital workflow, communicate reinforcement requirements clearly to drafting teams and generate measurable reinforcement quantities before documentation is complete.

The focus is not simply on minimising reinforcement. It is on establishing realistic quantities early, understanding where reinforcement is being consumed and maintaining efficient tonnage as architectural layouts, services coordination and design requirements evolve.

  • Create digital reinforcement markups for drafting and production teams.
  • Prepare reinforcement quantity take-offs at preliminary design stage.
  • Track quantities as the project progresses into detailed design.
  • Identify reinforcement layers and areas driving overall tonnage.
  • Compare alternative bar diameters and spacings.
  • Support cost planning and embodied carbon assessments.
New video walkthrough

Coupling beam behaviour, design and ETABS workflow

Follow the design of reinforced concrete coupling beams from coupled-wall behaviour and ETABS force extraction through overstrength, strut-and-tie modelling, nodal checks and RKALC batch design.

RKALC coupling beam design walkthrough and strut-and-tie model Complete video walkthrough
Single video Engineering guide ETABS workflow

Design deep coupling beams using structural behaviour and STM principles

This walkthrough explains how coupling beam stiffness influences the distribution of shear through the height of a coupled-wall system, and why the forces obtained from analysis must be interpreted before design begins. It then develops a practical workflow for designing deep coupling beams as strut-and-tie models rather than relying on conventional beam theory.

The example also demonstrates how ETABS coupling beam actions can be exported, reviewed and processed through RKALC, including overstrength, flexural, nodal and strut checks across multiple beams.

  • Understand coupled-wall behaviour and coupling beam shear distribution.
  • Review the effect of flexible and rigid coupling beams.
  • Extract coupling beam moments and shears from ETABS.
  • Apply Australian Standard overstrength requirements.
  • Develop and verify deep-beam strut-and-tie models.
  • Batch-design multiple coupling beams using the RKALC workflow.
New video walkthrough

Pad footing design on rock and sand – Flexural vs Strut-and-Tie Modelling

Learn when a reinforced concrete pad footing should be designed using conventional flexural theory and when Strut-and-Tie Modelling (STM) provides a more appropriate representation of the load path in accordance with AS 3600.

RKALC pad footing design on rock and sand using flexural design and strut-and-tie modelling Complete video walkthrough
Single video Engineering guide AS 3600 workflow

Design reinforced concrete pad footings using the correct structural behaviour

This walkthrough compares pad footing behaviour on sand and rock, demonstrating why some footings behave as conventional flexural members while others should be analysed using Strut-and-Tie Modelling. The examples explain how bearing capacity, footing geometry and load paths influence the appropriate design method.

The video also demonstrates both RKALC applications, including flexural design, punching shear, one-way shear, column bearing, nodal verification, strut capacity checks and bursting reinforcement for deep footings.

  • Understand the behavioural difference between footings on sand and rock.
  • Identify when flexural theory is appropriate.
  • Recognise when Strut-and-Tie Modelling should be adopted.
  • Review punching shear, one-way shear and column bearing checks.
  • Verify nodal zones, concrete struts and bursting reinforcement.
  • Generate AS 3600 design reports using the RKALC footing and STM tools.
RKALC learning approach

Software workflow supported by engineering judgement

Each learning topic is developed around a practical engineering problem rather than an isolated software feature.

01

Build the model

Establish the structural arrangement, support conditions, materials and section properties.

02

Establish the actions

Determine the relevant permanent, imposed, wind and other actions for the example.

03

Interpret the response

Review reactions, displaced shapes and member-force diagrams before relying on final design checks.

04

Verify the outcome

Compare the software output with simplified calculations, expected behaviour and project-specific requirements.