On the design of optimised R/C sections in bending

FENU, LUIGI

2003-01-01

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Abstract

Reinforced concrete sections are usually designed at the Ultimate Limit State, subjected to the serviceability requirements. Therefore we analyze how to minimize the depth of a doubly reinforced R/C section in bending (for instance at mid-span of a supported R/C beam). Minimization of the depth of the R/C section depends on the neutral axis-effective depth ratio and on the compression steel- tension steel area ratio. Optimization of the R/C section in bending is therefore performed as a nonlinear programming problem whose objective function (the depth of the R/C section) is constrained by the serviceability requirements.