Optimum design of reinforced concrete plane frames based on predetermined section database

For the optimum design of reinforced concrete (RC) structures, predetermined section databases of RC columns and beams are constructed and arranged in order of resisting capacity. Because all the design variables of an RC section are interconnected by a representative design variable of the section identification number, regression equations representing the relation between the section identification number and section resisting capacity are derived to effectively handle all the design variables and to use in determining a continuous solution. An introduction to effective discrete optimization algorithms, which can search for an optimum solution quickly using a direct search method, is followed. Moreover, the investigation for the applicability and effectiveness of the introduced design procedure is conducted through a correlation study for typical example structures. Because of an absence of restrictions on the construction of objective functions, together with very simple optimization processes and fast convergence, the introduced method can effectively be used in the preliminary design of RC frame structures. Especially, the obtained solutions selected from the section database can be applied applicable in practice, because these sections are constructed to satisfy all design code requirements and practical limitations.