Optimum design of reinforced concrete frames using interactive computer graphics

An integrated approach of the design and optimization problem of reinforced concrete frames, based on the use of interactive computer graphics is presented. The formulation of the optimization problem in terms of all the design variables and constraints is given. The size of the problem is greatly reduced if reinforcement areas are considered as dependent variables. A fully stressed design method is employed to optimize an automatically generated initial design. Analysis and design results plots, including complete reinforcement drawings, are available to designers, helping them to evaluate the current status of the design and allowing them to direct the entire computation process.