OPTIMAL DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE SLABS FOR ULTIMATE LOAD

Abstract

An attempt has been made for optimal design, of reinforced concrete slabs under ultimate load. Firstly, expressions for moments have been developed. In general, there may bo two types of yield line pattern for rectangular slabs of any boundary condition. Both the patterns have been considered in optimization and, the cost of the slab is minimised under a set of constraints by geometric programming. Three cases of slabs) each of size 6.0m x Z..5my effective, under uniformly distributed load but with diff-erent boundary conditions, have been solved by using a comprehensive computer programme on IBM 360 and the, results obtained. The optimized cost is then compared with the cost of the slab designed according to the recommendations of T. S:L56 using the Ultimate Load Design Method. Each case has been solved for mild steel and tor steel both and a comparison of cost is made. Finally, recommendations have been made for optimal design of rectangular slabs using yield line theory, and Ultimate Load Design Method.