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| Author(s): |
Caio Gorla Nogueira
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | São Carlos. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD) |
| Defense date: | 2010-05-12 |
| Examining board members: |
André Teófilo Beck;
Túlio Nogueira Bittencourt;
Humberto Breves Coda;
José Samuel Giongo;
José Luiz Antunes de Oliveira e Sousa
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| Advisor: | Wilson Sergio Venturini |
| Abstract | |
This work presents some developments in the mechanical modeling of reinforced concrete bar structures, as well in the coupling of reliability and RBDO optimization models, with the purpose of obtaining optimal dimensions considering the safety requirements specified in design. As for the mechanical modeling via Finite Element Method (FEM), in addition to geometrical and material nonlinear behaviors, the contribution of shear resistance complementary mechanisms (aggregate interlock and dowel action of longitudinal reinforcement) was taken into account. Moreover, a simplified model that evaluates the contribution of shear reinforcement was also proposed. In an improvement of existing formulations, an optimization scheme was developed which leaves the position of the neutral axis free. This improvement resulted in more economical cross-sections, than those found in the literature. With respect to the coupling of reliability and optimization methods, improvements were sought in the Response Surface Method and in the direct coupling via First Order Reliability and Numerical Gradients methods. These improvements resulted in greater precision and in increased convergence speed. The mechanical models, including non linear effects and complementary mechanisms , the optimization and reliability formulations were implemented in a computational code for the optimum design of reinforced concrete structures. The program was used to solve a number of example problems. It was found that the complementary mechanisms resulted in an increase of ultimate loads, when compared to the response obtained without these effects. These mechanisms also resulted in an even greater increase of the elements reliability. Optimal dimensions of the structural elements were also compared, considering linear and non-linear material models. The cost of the optimum structure was found to be smaller when non linear effects are taken into account. (AU) | |