COST OPTIMIZATION OF DOUBLY

REINFORCED RECTANGULAR
BEAM SECTION
S. A. Bhalchandra and P.K.Adsul

Contents

Introduction

Problem Definition

Statement of optimization problem

Optimization techniques

System Performance

Observations

Further Scope

References

INTRODUCTION

An optimal solution normally implies the most economic structure without

impairing the functional purposes of structure.

The optimization involves choosing the design variables in such a way that
the cost of the beam is minimum and it satisfies the behavioural and
geometrical constraints as per recommended method of design codes.

Doubly reinforced beams (DRB) are required to be designed when the

depth of the beam is restricted by architectural considerations and the
beam has to take moment greater than limiting moment of resistance of
the corresponding Singly reinforced beam (SRB).

Problem Definition
Our aim is to optimally design a simply supported doubly

reinforced beams with uniformly distributed and concentrated

load by incorporating actual self weight of beam, parabolic
stress block, moment-equilibrium and serviceability constraints
besides other constraints .

The principal design objective is to minimize the total cost of a

structure.

Statement of Optimization problem

The optimal design of doubly reinforced beam has been done for different
material combinations of M20, M25 grades of concrete and Fe415, Fe500
grades of steel. The cost of materials for different grades and form work are :Concrete
Grade

Cc (Rs/m3)

Steel Grade

Cs (Rs/kg)

M20

4366

Fe415

58

M25

5610

Fe500

60

Cf (Rs/m2 )

320

Where, Cc is cost of concrete, Cs is cost of steel and Cf is cost of formwork.

Design variables
Width of beam = b = X1
Tension reinforcement = Ast = X2
Compression reinforcement = Asc = X3

Nominal cover = d = X4

Objective function
The objective function ( which is cost) to be minimized is :-

F (x) = Cc [ b (d + d) (Ast + Asc )] + Cs [Ast + Asc ] + Cf [ b + 2 (d+ d)]

As design variables are defined in previous slide so :
F (x) = Cc [ X1 (d + X4) ( X2+ X3 )] + Cs [ X2+ X3] + Cf [ X1+ 2 (d+ X4)]

Design constraints
Geometric constraints:
Ductility constraint: Xu Xa
Constraint for minimum area of tension reinforcement: Ast > 0.85 X1

fy

Constraint for maximum area of tension reinforcement: Ast 0.04 X1D

Constraint for maximum area of compression reinforcement: Asc 0.04 X1D

Depth to width ratio constraint: r = d/X1; 1.5 r 4

Where Xu is balance position of neutral axis in mm and Xa is actual

position of neutral axis.

 Behavioural constraints:

Durability constraint: nominal cover 40

mm

Moment-equilibrium constraint: Mu Mc
Deflection constraint (serviceability constraint): tot all

Where Mu is bending moment due to given loading and self

weight in kN.m, Mc is moment capacity of beam in kN.m. tot

and all are sum of short term and long term deflection and
allowable deflection in mm respectively

Optimization Techniques

Traditional search and optimization methods can be classified into two types
:

Direct methods :- only objective function and constraints are used to guide the search

Gradient-Based methods :- use the first and/or second-order derivatives of the

strategy.

objective function and/or constraints to guide the search process.

NOTE : Since derivative information is not used, the direct search methods are
usually slow, requiring many function evaluations for convergence.
Whereas gradient-based methods quickly converge to an optimal solution,
but are not efficient in non differentiable or discontinuous problems.

 Generalized Reduced Gradient Method

Interior Point Algorithm
Heuristic optimization techniques such as

genetic algorithms (GAs)

simulated annealing (SA)
tabu search (TS)

In present study the attempt is made to optimize Doubly Reinforced

Beam using Genetic Algorithm (MATLAB Toolbox) and for justification
of variations, Interior point Algorithm using Matlab and Generalized
reduced gradient method (Microsoft Office Excel Solver Tool) are
used.

System Performance

After optimizing Doubly Reinforced Beam using Genetic Algorithm performance

analysis is performed of this element. Variation in parameters such as cost
function, design variables are examined for several trial giving initial values
obtained by Limit State Method.

The input of simply supported doubly reinforced beam (DRB) consists of 6 inputs,
that are load, span, d to b ratio, fck and fy, and depth of beam.

Whereas the output are cover to reinforcement ( d' ) and optimum tensile steel
reinforcement (Pt) and optimum compression steel reinforcement (Pc).

Design Example
A simply supported doubly reinforced beam of span 9 m, depth 673.62 mm,
subjected to following load (UDL) and specification: Superimposed load = 10 kN/m,
Live load = 20 kN/m, using M20 grade concrete and Fe415 grade steel.
Solving by limit state method we get
Mu= 577.29 kN/m, Pt = 0.9789, Pc = 0.015, Mc = 573.14 kN/m,
Cost = 2020.4 Rs/m.
Solution by proposed technique:
Mu= 577.29 kN/m, Pt = 1.002, Pc = 0.04450, Mc = 577.30 kN/m,
Cost = 1968.26 Rs/m.

Results for optimal design for SS Doubly Reinforced Beam

Observations :

Design given by proposed technique is safe while that given by conventional limit
state method fails in moment capacity.

As Genetic Algorithm optimization technique showed a cost that is less than the
cost obtained from the Generalized Reduced Gradient technique and Interior Point
optimization technique so it is better.

Genetic Algorithm optimizer also minimizes the expensive material in the

objective function of the numerical examples which contributes to the total cost.

The results also shows the importance of finding optimum design of concrete
structures since the optimum solution satisfies the provisions of the code and
minimizes the cost of the structure.

Further Scope

We can also do research on geometry and layout optimization of structural

elements within the RC structure.

Several researchers recommend that there is a need for research on cost

optimization of realistic RC three-dimensional large-scale structures.

References

Design of concrete structures by J.N Bandyopadhyay

Elements of structural optimization by G.M.I Gladwell

Optimum Structural Design b Uri Kirsch

Cost optimization of singly and doubly reinforced concrete beams with EC2-2001
by M.H.F.M. Barros R.A.F. Martins A.F.M. Barros