OPTIMAL DESIGN OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE HOLLOW CORE SLAB PANELS

Abstract

The research has prepared programmed mathematical techniquesby Visual basic language for analysis, design and calculating the optimization of precast prestress hollow core slab panels. The research deals with the optimization byadoptingthe modified Hooke-Jeevs methodwhich is considered as a very suitable method especially for problems have many constraints.The formalizing of objective function was discussed according to required purpose.The aim of the study is to discuss three parameters (optimum weight, optimum cost and optimum live load). It isfound that the average void percentage ratioregarding the optimum weightis about (50%) whereby the section tendsto be in a shape where the voids become less than thickness and widthtake into consideration that the section is subjected to all the constraints (voids percentagetends to be much more than the regularcase), aswell as, it is foundthat the average of void percentage ratioconcerning withthe optimum cost is about (41%). The research also adopted preparing designable tables whichare informative and easy in use practically for different kind of hollow core slab sections, it isfound from the prepared maximum live load tables that the deflection restrictsthe span length not less than (60%), furthermore that adding toppingslab (5cm) thickness increase the span length about (16-20) %for thicknesses(15-22) cm.