Abstract
Post-tensioning has become a strong contender for manufacturing reinforced concrete (RC) members, especially for flat slabs in large-span structures. Post-tensioned (PT) slabs can lead to considerable material savings while reducing the embodied carbon (embodied CO2), construction time, and life cycle maintenance and repair costs. In this research, a novel hybrid Firefly–Artificial Neural Network (Firefly–ANN) computational intelligence model was developed to estimate the cost effectiveness and embodied CO2 of PT slabs with different design variables. To develop the dataset, several numerical models with various design variables, including the pattern of tendons, slab thickness, mechanical properties of materials, and span of slabs, were developed to investigate the sustainability and economic competitiveness of the derived designs compared to benchmark conventional RC flat slabs. Several performance measures, including punching shear and heel drop vibration induced by human activity, were used as design constraints to satisfy safety and serviceability criteria. The economic competitiveness of PT slabs was more evident in larger spans where the cost and embodied CO2 emissions decreased by 39% and 12%, respectively, in PT slabs with a 12-m span length compared to conventional RC slabs. Sensitivity analysis also confirmed that the cost and embodied CO2 emissions were very sensitive to the slab thickness by 86% and 62%, respectively.
Highlights
Post-tensioned concrete is a type of prestressed concrete where the concrete is strengthened via an arrangement of reinforcement held in tension
The results indicate that byby increasing thethe slab span, both slabs for different span lengths
The results indicate that increasing slab span, both the cost and embodied
Summary
Post-tensioned concrete is a type of prestressed concrete where the concrete is strengthened via an arrangement of reinforcement held in tension. Using the post-tension (PT) technique, the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) structural members in tension can be greatly enhanced, allowing the construction of longer spans and more slender structural components. Applying this technique in flat concrete slabs reduces the building height and results in substantial savings in conventional steel rebar reinforcement. Such savings in material consumption permit reducing the embodied carbon (embodied CO2 ) emissions and the overall construction cost, providing a sustainable design solution for the construction industry. It considers how much greenhouse gas (GHG) is released throughout the supply chain and is often measured from cradle to (factory) gate, or cradle to site (of use)
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