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Abstract: A series of distributed flexural cracks develop in reinforced concrete flexural elements under the working load. The control of cracking in reinforced concrete is an important issue that must be considered in the design of reinforced concrete structures. Crack width and spacing are influenced by several factors, including the steel percentage, its distribution in the concrete crosssection, the concrete cover, and the concrete properties. In practice, however, a compromise must be made between cracking, durability, and ease of construction and cost. This study presents the optimal design of a reinforced concrete cross-section, using the optimization method of mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) and the Eurocode standard. The MINLP optimization model OPTCON was developed for this purpose. The model contains the objective function of the material cost considering the crack width requirements. The crack width requirements can be satisfied by direct calculation or by limiting the bar spacing. Due to the different crack width requirements, two different economic designs of reinforced concrete sections were proposed. The case study presented in this study demonstrates the value of the presented optimization approach. A direct comparison between different methods for modelling cracking in reinforced concrete cross-sections, which has not been done before, is also presented.
Keywords: crack width, cost optimization, optimal design, mixed-integer non-linear programming
Published in DKUM: 13.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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Abstract: The paper presents the Mixed-Integer Non-linear Programming (MINLP) approach to the synthesis of trusses. The solution of continuous/discrete non-convex and non-linear optimization problems is discussed with respect to the simultaneous topology, shape and discrete sizing optimization of trusses. A truss MINLP superstructure of different topology and design alternatives has been generated, and a special MINLP model formulation for trusses has been developed. In the optimization model, a mass objective function of the structure has been defined and subjected to design, load and dimensioning constraints. The MINLP problems are solved using the Modified Outer-Approximation/Equality-Relaxation (OA/ER) algorithm. Multi-level MINLP strategies are introduced to accelerate the convergence of the algorithm. The Modified Two-Phase and the Sequential Two-Phase MINLP strategies are proposed in order to solve highly combinatorial topology, shape and discrete sizing optimization problems. The importance of local buckling constraints on topology optimization is also discussed. Some simple numerical examples are shown at the end of the paper to demonstrate the suitability and efficiency of the proposed method.
Keywords: structural synthesis, topology optimization, discrete sizing optimization, mixed-integer non-linear programming, MINLP, modified OA/ER algorithm, multi-level MINLP strategies, steel structures, trusses
Published in DKUM: 11.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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Abstract: Vertical addition to already-existing structures is an approach to energy-efficient building renovation. It presents an opportunity for the densification of built-up areas and the construction of new usable spaces. While many studies have dealt with the subject of renovating buildings with a focus on energy efficiency, far fewer studies have specifically examined the potential of vertically extending existing buildings, an approach which could be introduced in new sustainable building policies. The objective of this study is to redevelop optimal timber–glass upgrade modules, considering the ideal proportions of glazing for all cardinal directions, by using discrete Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming optimization. The novelty of the suggested method resides in the synchronous optimization of the upgrade modules’ daylighting and energy-efficiency performance, resulting in the creation of optimization methods that can determine the optimal glazing proportions for all cardinal directions and incorporate rational design and window measurement. The impact of the developed Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming-optimized upgrade modules is compared to previously designed optimized upgrade modules. Finally, a methodology for estimating the energy efficiency of building renovations incorporating vertical additions using the timber–glass upgrade modules was developed, supporting the quick assessment of the reduction in hybrid buildings’ energy consumption for heating and cooling according to boundary conditions, presuming that they undergo the suggested renovations. The findings are applicable (not exclusively) to Slovenia’s residential building stock, which makes up around 20% of the country’s current housing stock and was mainly constructed between 1946 and 1970. This offers a substantial opportunity to improve the overall sustainability and energy efficiency of the country’s housing stock. The proposed approach offers a holistic solution to drive sustainable development in the built environment by incorporating all three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social, and economic).
Keywords: energy efficient building renovation, energy efficiency, building vertical addition, timber–glass upgrade modules, mixed-integer non-linear programming, MINLP, optimization, visual comfort, energy sustainability
Published in DKUM: 16.01.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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Abstract: Abstract This paper presents a sequential two-stage strategy for the stochastic synthesis of chemical processes in which flexibility and static operability (the ability to adjust manipulated variables) are taken into account. In the first stage, the optimal flexible structure and optimal oversizing of the process units are determined in order to assure feasibility of design for a fixed degree of flexibility. In the second stage, the structural alternatives and additional manipulative variables are included in the mathematical model in order to introduce additional degrees of freedom for efficient control. The expected value of the objective function is approximated in both stages by a novel method, which relies on optimization at the central basic point (CBP). The latter is determined by a simple set-up procedure based on calculations of the objective functionćs conditional expectations for uncertain parameters. The feasibility is assured by simultaneous consideration of critical vertices. The important feature of the proposed stochastic model is that its size depends mainly on the number of design variables and not on the number of uncertain parameters. The strategy is illustrated by two examples for heat exchanger network synthesis.
Keywords: chemical processing, process synthesis, MINLP, mixed integer nonlinear programming, flexibility, operability, controllability, steady state model
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 2622; Downloads: 99
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