OPTIMIZATION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMES BY USING SPREADSHEET SOFTWARE

Abstract

This study is focused on optimization of 2D Reinforced Concrete (RC) Frames. Three frames with different number of bays and stories were used in this study. The frames were analyzed using stiffness method. Lateral displacement in each frame under earthquake load was taken as the main constraint. The objective function was based on the weight of the structure. Frames were optimized in terms of concrete dimensions by keeping the lateral displacement constraints within the specified limits. Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) method was used for optimization after the analysis of frames. It was found that optimization along with member (beam or column) grouping plays a vital role in the optimization of structures. The GRG method works very efficiently during optimization process especially when the objective function lies within the feasible region.