Design of Optimally Reinforced RC Beam, Column, and Wall Sections
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 2
Abstract
A conjugate gradient search method is coupled with a general model for the ultimate strength of a rectangular reinforced concrete (RC) cross section. Reinforcement required to provide reliable resistance identically equal to required strengths (due to factored load effects) is determined. The total reinforcement is determined optimally, either to obtain a global minimum or to obtain a minimum subject to various constraints, such as the use of equal reinforcement on opposite faces or the use of equal reinforcement on all faces. The model is useful for the design of beam, column, and wall sections that are subjected to uniaxial or biaxial bending. Solutions are obtained directly, and make use of computing power contained within spreadsheet programs that are widely available. Avoiding the somewhat tedious hand calculations and approximations required in conventional iterative design approaches avoids errors and potentially unsafe designs, while the use of optimum reinforcement quantities advances the aim of improving the sustainability of RC construction.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 2 • February 2008
Pages: 231 - 239
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 21, 2006
Accepted: May 30, 2007
Published online: Feb 1, 2008
Published in print: Feb 2008
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: M. Asghar Bhatti
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