Author(s)

M. Kripka & H.M.C.C. Antunes

Abstract

Optimum support positions in building grillages M. Kripka' & H. M. C. C. Antunes^ ^University ofPasso Fundo, RS, Brazil "University of Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil Abstract This paper presents a program to optimise structures analysed by the grid model as a function of the positioning of the supports. An association of the Displacement Method with mathematical programming techniques, by changing the positions initially idealised for the supports, seeks to redistribute the stresses on building slabs by altering the relative stiffness of the elements in order to allow a greater uniformity of stresses and, thus, to reduce the consumption of their component materials. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed optimisation procedure, analyses were made of some building slabs following the new formulation. The choice of these examples was made, basically, for the purpose of highlighting the effective cost reduction obtained without, however, disregarding the necessary c

Keywords