Optimizing UHPC walls into trusses based on the solid isotropic material with penalization method

Abstract

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with ultra-high strength and strain-hardening characteristics is used to improve the durability and strength of existing structures. In this study, UHPC walls were optimized into trusses using the ABAQUS topology optimization module based on the solid isotropic material with penalization method. Topology optimizations of single- and double-storey walls under monotonic and reciprocating loading were conducted. The extracted truss structure after optimization was imported into ABAQUS in the form of a solid element for analysis to verify the rationality and applicability of the layout of the tensile and compressive members. Through model calculations under the same loading parameters and same steel consumption, it was found that the ultimate bearing capacity and ductility of the optimized reinforced UHPC truss were higher than those of the ordinary concrete wall with reinforcement.