Abstract
Whether monetary, environmental, or otherwise, the cost of the structure
is always an important aspect when designing reinforced concrete. A
structure with a low cost is desirable, but other considerations must be
made. First and foremost, the structures should be safe. The two
conditions define the structural optimization problem that this paper
seeks to solve as finding the structure with the lowest cost, which is
also safe. Validation of reinforced concrete in the ultimate limit state
is often performed using plasticity and strength-based methods. This
paper combines Finite Element Limit Analysis (FELA) with a yield
criterion that includes material layout variables to create a
strength-based structural optimization framework for solid reinforced
concrete structures. The yield criterion combines the Modified
Mohr–Coulomb criterion, where variables scale the compressive strength,
with the inclusion of smeared reinforcement, where variables scale the
reinforcement ratios. The framework is presented and shown in examples
using free optimization and examples where material layout variables in
parts of the structure are coupled and optimized as a group.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 106941 |
Journal | Computers and Structures |
Volume | 276 |
Number of pages | 12 |
ISSN | 0045-7949 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2023 |
Keywords
- Convex optimization
- Finite Element Limit Analysis
- Material optimization
- Solid elements
- Structural optimization