Topology Optimization for Materially Efficient Reinforced Concrete Design: Development, Fabrication, and Structural Evaluation

TL;DR

This paper develops topology optimization frameworks to design reinforced concrete beams that are more material-efficient, reducing carbon footprint while maintaining or improving structural performance.

Contribution

It introduces two novel topology optimization methods tailored for reinforced concrete, enabling the creation of material-efficient, high-performance structural designs.

Findings

Optimized beams show 36%-42% higher load capacity than conventional designs.

Material reduction potential of around 33% without compromising performance.

Fabricated optimized beams exhibit ductile failure modes.

Abstract

The production of concrete generates roughly 8% of anthropogenic CO2 globally, largely because of the massive quantities that are manufactured. New design methods must be developed and deployed to improve the material efficiency of reinforced concrete structures, and reduce concrete's carbon impact. This research uses topology optimization, a free-form structural optimization method, for improved structural design. Two topology optimization frameworks are developed specifically for reinforced concrete design and construction. The automated design algorithms are used to generate geometries for materially-efficient reinforced concrete beams, which are fabricated and tested to compare performance to conventional design. The optimized results exhibit ductile failure and reach loads 36%-42% higher than the conventional design with the same material consumption. Through comparison to analytical models, the observed potential for material reduction while maintaining today's performance requirements without adding structural depth is around 33%, indicating a viable path forward in reaching carbon neutrality of reinforced concrete construction.