Title:
Characterizing the Mechanical Performance of Topology-Optimized Low-Weight Reinforced Concrete Beams
Author(s):
Jewett
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
11/3/2024
Abstract:
Topology optimization (TO) is a design optimization method known to generate high-performing structures with a limited volume of material. TO is particularly powerful because it does not require an initial layout of structural members from the user. Rather, it places material freely inside a defined design space with known forces and boundary conditions, so the method can algorithmically derive highly efficient results. TO has enormous potential for impact in the construction industry because it can help reduce the use of building materials, which produce approximately 10% of greenhouse gasses worldwide. Within existing research on TO for construction, tailoring algorithms specifically to reinforced concrete (RC) design has received considerable attention. RC is an important structural system for research because it is ubiquitous in the construction industry. It can also be easily formed into shaped molds, allowing it to be adapted to complex optimized geometries. A common approach for TO of RC uses continuum elements that are stiff in compression to represent the placement of concrete struts, and truss elements that are stiff in tension to place steel ties. These two components come together to create a truss-like RC structure following the strut-and-tie method. This research will present a new framework for topology optimization of RC. Continuum and truss elements will be used together as in [3], but the locations of the nodes of the truss elements will be controlled by design variables, and able to move during the optimization process. Also, SIMP penalization schemes will not be used on the continuum elements, so that their respective design variables can take intermediate values between 0 and 1. These values will be interpreted as varying thickness in the final design, following the Variable Thickness Sheet method. Several numerical design examples will be presented using this new framework, and mid-scale designs (~1 meter spans) will be fabricated and tested.