EXAMPLE 10. OPTIMIZATION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION

EXAMPLE 10: 'OPTIMISATION' 7 where the general Minimum and Maximum dimensional limits and the Step of change of these dimensions defined for each type of structural element. ATTENTION! • The above dialogue box only applies to reinforced concrete elements. • The limits are defined for each type of structural element (Columns, Beams, Slabs and Walls). • For poles, two "categories" of dimensions are defined: The first one (b/h) which concerns all large dimensions, regardless of the type of cross-section (rectangular, Gamma, Tau, etc.). The second dimension (t) refers to the corresponding small dimensions, mainly thicknesses, for example the dimension of the thickness of the leg of a Gamma cross-section. • For the beams, the limits of their two basic dimensions defined, i.e. width (bw) and height (h). The value limits for the thickness of the plates are then set. This includes conventional plates as well as those simulated with finite surface elements. Finally, in the "Walls" section, the limits of the thickness dimension of the vertical elements simulated with finite surface elements are defined. OBSERVATION: The value 0 in the maximum and minimum limit fields means that the program automatically takes as lower limit the original value of the dimension of the element reduced by 30% and as upper limit again the original value increased by 30%. This variable applies only to the dimensions of beams and columns. For this example, we leave the value 0 so that the program can automatically determine the limits of dimensional variation by varying the original dimensions by 30%.