STRUT-AND-TIE MODEL CONSTRUCTION FOR DEEP BEAMS WITH OPENINGS

 The mechanisms of deep beams are complex, especially the deep beams with openings. Some optimization methods are newly introduced to construct the strut-and-tie models of deep beams by other researchers. In this paper a robust topology optimization method named genetic evolutionary structural optimization (GESO) is used to construct the strut-and-tie models which reflect the real transfer mechanisms of deep beams with openings. The first example is a simply supported deep beam with two symmetrical openings. The beams with different hole sizes and different hole positions are calculated and the results’ rationalities are demonstrated by the classic optimal Michell criterion. The other example is a deep beam with unsymmetrical opening under different loads. The researches in this paper prove the effectiveness of the GESO and the models acquired in the paper will provide useful references for the engineers.