Applies To
	Product(s):	STAAD.Pro
	Version(s):	All
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	Concrete Design
	Subarea:	General Concrete Design Solutions
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

I am doing a footing design in STAAD.Pro. I am unfamiliar with the term "dowel reinforcement". I am guessing that this is a term used by American engineers. Could you explain what that is?

The longitudinal reinforcement in the column must be extended into the footing so that the forces and moments at the base of the column can be properly transferred into the footing. However, since the construction sequence requires the footings to be constructed before the columns, reinforcement is placed in the footing and extends upwards. So when the column is constructed, it becomes part of the column bars. This reinforcement which comes up from the footing into the column is called the dowel reinforcement.