Challenge: Rebar Lintel

Status

Draft. Not yet validated as a complete external-developer task.

Goal

Create a HiStruct/FCS component that designs reinforcement bars for a simple reinforced-concrete rectangular cross section, such as a small lintel above a window.

The result may start as a report-only component, but it should include a clear visual explanation of the chosen reinforcement.

Target Audience

Civil engineering students and early external HiStruct developers who understand the structural idea and want to turn it into an executable model.

Expected Output

The component should produce:

input parameters for section width, height, span, concrete cover, concrete class, steel grade, and design bending moment,
reinforcement proposal for the rectangular section,
a simple drawing or rendered picture of the cross section with bars,
a short report explaining assumptions, formulas, and results,
validation notes showing what was checked.

Starter Inputs

Use SI units unless explicitly noted.

Parameter	Example	Notes
`b_mm`	200	section width
`h_mm`	300	section height
`span_m`	1.5	lintel span
`cover_mm`	30	nominal concrete cover
`moment_kNm`	12	design bending moment
`concreteClass`	C25/30	simplified material choice
`steelGrade`	B500B	simplified reinforcement steel

First Formula Scope

The first public version should be educational and narrow. Suggested scope:

compute effective depth,
estimate required tensile reinforcement area,
choose bars from a small predefined diameter set,
report utilization or reserve,
draw section outline and selected bars.

The challenge should clearly state that it is not a production design tool until reviewed and extended.

Target Visual

A simple cross-section is enough:

+------------------+
|                  |
|                  |
|   o          o   |
+------------------+
 b x h, cover, bar diameter, count

Suggested Constraints

Keep the first version intentionally narrow:

rectangular cross section only,
one bending direction,
simple bar layout,
no full national annex complexity,
no production promise until reviewed.

Why This Challenge

It is small enough to attempt, but real enough to matter. It connects civil-engineering knowledge, parametric inputs, visual output, and report generation. That makes it a good first public D-Zone challenge.

Future Golem Link

Placeholder:

https://golem.histruct.com/?example=rebar-lintel

Golem should eventually open this challenge with a starter gist and help the developer iterate.