Evolutionary structural optimization as tool in finding strut-and-tie-models for designing reinforced concrete deep beam

Strut-and-Tie models are well-known worldwide as valuable tool in designing D-Regions of Reinforced Concrete members. It has been adopted in many Concrete Structural Codes in many countries. Recently strut-and-tie-models have been included in Indonesia Concrete Structural Code (SNI-03-2847-2012). In this paper, it will be shown how a Strut-and-Tie Model can be developed for various structural concrete deep beams using Evolutionary Structural Optimization. As a tool for this study the author used Bi-Directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization (BESO2D) computer programs, developed by X. Huang and Y.M. Xie [1]. Three tested concrete beams with small, medium, and large opening [2] will be taken as the case study. It will be shown the optimal topology of a plane stress of continuum structures produced from BESO2D can be taken as the basic strut-and-tie-model. For design process the best strut-and-tie-model can be delivered from the optimal topology structure only with the deep knowledge of the basic load transfer from loading to support point (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.