Estudo da distribuição do reforço de lajes de concreto armado com fibras de carbono, usando otimização topológica

Abstract

The objective of this work is to study the external reinforcement of concrete slabs, using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP), through numerical simulations and topology optimization. The topology optimization enters as a tool for determining the optimal distribution of the reinforcement. Due to the high ratio strength / specific weight of CFRP, we can increase the strength and stiffness of structural elements without significant increase in the weight. The simulations were performed by using Finite Element Method. Several geometric configurations, boundary conditions and loading were analyzed. The cracking of the concrete was considered in the analysis, because this effect influences the structural behavior of the slab. For some cases of concrete slabs, the reinforcement was calculated in the Ultimate Limit State, in order to compare the conventional and optimized distributions. Gains in terms of stiffness and strength of the reinforced piece have been verified. Comparison with conventional method shows that the use of topology optimization can lead to an economy of reinforcement material, with the same structural performance.