Optimum design of multistorey structures with shear walls

Abstract

Multistorey structures are a necessity particularly in city centres where land values are high. They provide economical solution for such cases and play an important role in modern urban design. In a way, they represent a monumental perspective of structural engineering technology. In this study an algorithm is presented for the optimum design of multistorey reinforced concrete structures with shear walls. The method considers displacement, ultimate axial load and bending moment and minimum size constraints. Member depths are treated as design variables. The values of design variables are evaluated from recursive relationships in every design cycle depending on the dominance of design constraints. The first relationship was obtained for the displacement limitations using optimality criteria approach. The second was an iterative algorithm developed for the case of dominant ultimate axial and bending moment constraints. The third is minimum size restrictions. The largest among three was adopted as the new value of design variable in the next optimum design cycle. This procedure is repeated until convergence is obtained. The steps of design algorithm is given and number of design examples are considered to demonstrate its practicability and effectiveness.