Optimization of Reinforced Concrete Beams for Rectangular Sections with Numerical Experiments

Abstract

In the design of reinforced concrete rectangular beams are presented two cases: 1) Simply reinforced beams; 2) Doubly reinforced beams or reinforced by compression. This paper shows an optimal model for the design of reinforced concrete rectangular beams (general case), i.e., simply and doubly reinforced beams to obtain the minimum cost. Numerical experiments show the application of the formulas of the code (ACI 318S-14), and the model for design considers two cases: the case 1 restricts the width of the beam b, and the case 2 restricts the effective deep of the beam d. Model shows the best option to design in terms of the minimum cost for the construction of beams.