Optimising reinforcement design in D regions using non-linear finite-element analysis

This paper presents an automated procedure for designing reinforcement in D regions where plane sections do not remain plane after loading. The reinforcement is designed to resist stresses calculated in a non-linear finite-element analysis. The design procedure is implemented into NonOpt, which is a Fortran program that works in conjunction with the finite-element program DIANA. NonOpt gives three alternative methods for optimising the reinforcement design, of which strategy C is the subject of this paper. It finds the minimum weighted sum of the reinforcement ratios in two-dimensional structures such as deep beams subject to design constraints and practical requirements.