The following table compares the features of spColumn v7.00 and its predecessors pcaColumn and PCACOL.
Feature |
PCACOL v3.0b |
pcaColumn v3.6x |
spColumn v4.20 | spColumn v4.80 | spColumn v5.50 | spColumn v6.00 | spColumn v6.50 | spColumn v7.00 |
General & User Interface |
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Operating System | Microsoft Windows 3.1 or above | Microsoft Windows 98 SE or above | Microsoft Windows XP and Vista | Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 | Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7/8/10 | Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7/8/10 | Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7/8/10 | Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7/8/10 |
Support Long File Names |
No |
Yes (128 characters) |
Yes (256 characters) |
Yes (256 characters) |
Yes (256 characters) |
Yes (256 characters) |
Yes (256 characters) |
Yes (256 characters) |
Evaluation Mode | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Network License |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Command Line Parameters for Batch Processing | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Command Line Parameter to Export Graphical reports to EMF files | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
pcaColumn Text Input (CTI) Files | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Export Interaction Diagrams and 3D Failure Surface to CSV and TXT files | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
New 3D Failure Surface View | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Export Graphical Reports to EMF files | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Export Sections to DXF Files | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Import Sections from DXF Files | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Explicit Export of Interaction Diagram to Specified IAD Files | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Copy Interaction Diagram to Clipboard (EMF format) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
P-M Diagram Display | M - positive only |
M - both sides |
M - positive or M - negative or M - both sides |
M - positive or M - negative or M - both sides |
M - positive or M - negative or M - both sides |
M - positive or M - negative or M - both sides |
M - positive or M - negative or M - both sides |
M - positive or M - negative or M - both sides |
Customize P-M Diagrams to Turn On or Off Display of Point Labels and Splice Lines (Rays) | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Shortcuts to Display P-M and Mx-My Diagrams for Subsequent Load Points | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Acceleration Keys (Keyboard Shortcuts) |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Enhanced Toolbar Buttons |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Most Recent File (MRF) List |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Print Dialog Box |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
On-line Checking for Program Updates | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Digital Signature for Improved Security | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Electronic Documentation | Partial Electronic Documentation | Complete Electronic Documentation | Complete Electronic Documentation with Direct Link to the Manual from the Program. Detailed References to Design Codes in the Manual. | Complete Electronic Documentation with Direct Link to the Manual from the Program. Detailed References to Design Codes in the Manual. | Complete Electronic Documentation with Direct Link to the Manual from the Program. Detailed References to Design Codes in the Manual. | Complete Electronic Documentation with Direct Link to the Manual from the Program. Detailed References to Design Codes in the Manual. | Complete Electronic Documentation with Direct Link to the Manual from the Program. Detailed References to Design Codes in the Manual. | Complete Electronic Documentation with Direct Link to the Manual from the Program. Detailed References to Design Codes in the Manual. |
Input Data Examples | 4 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Design Features |
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Concrete Design Code ACI-318 |
1995 | 2002 |
2005 2002 |
2011 2008 2005 2002 |
2014 2011 2008 2005 2002 |
2014 2011 2008 2005 2002 |
2014 2011 2008 2005 2002 |
2019 2014 2011 2008 2005 2002 |
Slender and Non-slender |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Concrete Design Code CSA A23.3 |
1994 | 1994 |
2004 1994 |
2004 1994 |
2014 2004 1994 |
2014 2004 1994 |
2014 2004 1994 |
2019 2014 2004 1994 |
Units | US/Metric | US/Metric | US/Metric | US/Metric | US/Metric | US/Metric | US/Metric | US/Metric |
Report Neutral Axis Location | Yes (Control Points and Axial Loads only) | Yes (Control Points and Axial Loads only) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) |
Report Maximum Steel Strain | No | No | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) |
Report Strength Reduction Factor for ACI Code | No | No | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) | Yes (All Points on Interaction Diagram or 3D Failure Surface) |
Report Distance from Extreme Compression Fiber to Centroid of Extreme Longitudinal Tension Steel (dt) | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Axial Load Increment | Positive Only | Positive Only | Positive or Negative | Positive or Negative | Positive or Negative | Positive or Negative | Positive or Negative | Positive or Negative |
Negative Factor in Load Combination |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Bar Number Increment for Circular Column Design | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Design for Minimum Reinforcement Area |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Auto Section Design |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Auto Rebar Design |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Investigate Section |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Load Cases |
Dead, Live, and Lateral |
Dead, Live, Wind, and Earthquake |
Dead, Live, Wind, Earthquake, and Snow |
Dead, Live, Wind, Earthquake, and Snow |
Dead, Live, Wind, Earthquake, and Snow |
Dead, Live, Wind, Earthquake, and Snow |
Dead, Live, Wind, Earthquake, and Snow |
Dead, Live, Wind, Earthquake, and Snow |
Maximum Load Combinations |
8 |
20 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
Default Load Combinations |
4 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
Factored Load Entries |
320 |
4000 |
5000 |
5000 |
10000 |
10000 |
10000 |
10000 |
Service Load Entries |
10 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
Control Point Load |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Slender Column Design |
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K Factor Calculations |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Moment Magnification |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Stiffness Reduction Factor |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cracked Section Coefficient |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Sway and Nonsway Check |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Detailed Reporting of First-order and Magnified (Second-order) Moments |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Check for strength and stability of structure as a whole under gravity loads for slender sway columns per ACI 318-05/02 and CSA A23.3-04/94 |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Consider second-order effects along the length of a sway column per ACI 318-08, 10.10.2.2 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
User-defined percentage of each load type considered as sustained |
No |
No |
No |
Yes (nonsway columns only) |
Yes (nonsway columns only) |
Yes (nonsway columns only) |
Yes (nonsway columns only) |
Yes (nonsway columns only) |
Service Load Input |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Capacity Diagram |
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P -M Diagram |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mx-My Diagram |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Nominal Diagram |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Display of P-M and Mx-My diagrams by selecting associated load point |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Neutral Axis Orientation (2D/3D) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Copy Diagram to Clipboard in Enhanced Meta File (EMF) Format |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Section Shapes |
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Regular Shapes (Square, Rectangular) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Circular Shapes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Irregular Shape Editor |
Standalone |
Integrated |
Integrated |
Integrated |
New spSection with v5.50 |
New spSection with v5.50 |
New spSection with v5.50 |
New spSection with v5.50 |
Number of Irregular Shape Templates |
0 |
5 |
5 |
7 (includes C-shape and I-shape shear walls) |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Section Properties |
||||||||
Area |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Moment of Inertia |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Elastic Section Modulus |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Rebar Area/ Rebar Ratio |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Section Editing |
||||||||
Arbitrary Opening |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Edit by Point Coordinates |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Edit by Moving Points Graphically |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Importing Data from Text File |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Drawing Shapes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Rotate, Flip |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Automatic Rebar Distribution |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Numeric Rebar Editing |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Graphic Rebar Editing |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Number of Openings |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Maximum Number of Bars |
500 |
500 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
Maximum Number of Exterior Points |
50 |
500 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
Maximum Number of Interior Points |
50 |
500 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
spView |
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Supports Printing |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Supports Print Preview |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Supports Copy To Clipboard |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Supports Font Selection |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
3D View for Failure Surface |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
spReporter |
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spReporter for generating, viewing, exporting, and printing |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
spResults |
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spResults for viewing and exporting input and output data |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
sp2D/3D View |
||||||||
sp2D/3D View for viewing and navigating 2D diagrams and 3D surfaces |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No | No | Yes | Yes |