Optimum design of SRC composite beams

¹ School of Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, P.R. China
² Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China

Corresponding author: zhengshansuo@263.net

Received: 2 July 2007
Accepted: 4 February 2008

Abstract

Based on experimental study of bond-slip behaviours between steel shape and concrete, an optimal design scheme of single objective and discrete variables is proposed to design steel reinforced concrete (SRC) frame beams. In the optimum scheme, design variables include the layout dimensions of SRC frame structure, structural member sections, strength of concrete and steel, dimensions of steel shapes. The objective function is cost of the entire materials applied to construct SRC frame structure. The constraint conditions are main requirements stated in Chinese code for design of SRC structures, basic design rules, reasonable calculating theories and indispensable constructions, as well as some mature and consistent conclusions confirmed by experimental studies on calculating methods of SRC structures based on the bond-slip theory between steel shape and concrete. These may be a reference in analyzing and designing SRC frame structures and provide a practical method satisfying civil engineering practice and requirements stated in the codes.