Neural network based approach for rapid prediction of deflections in RC beams considering cracking

Abstract

Maximum deflection in a beam is a serviceability design criterion and occurs generally at or close to the mid-span. This paper presents a methodology using neural networks for rapid prediction of mid-span deflections in reinforced concrete beams subjected to service load. The closed form expressions are further obtained from the trained neural networks. The closed form expressions take into account cracking in concrete at in-span and at near the interior supports and tension stiffening effect. The expressions predict the inelastic deflections (incorporating the concrete cracking) from the elastic moments and the elastic deflections (neglecting the concrete cracking). Five separate neural networks are trained since these have been postulated to represent all beams having any number of spans. The training, validating, and testing data sets for the neural networks are generated using an analytical-numerical procedure of analysis. The proposed expressions have been verified by comparison with the experimental results reported elsewhere and also by comparison with the finite element method (FEM). The proposed expressions, at minimal input data and minimal computation effort, yield results that are close to FEM results. The expressions can be used in every day design since the errors are found to be small.