Visual post-processing of engineering data and rebar optimization tools in the nuclear field

The design of new reinforced concrete (RC) structures is set on a workflow of code-compliant checks which require a huge amount of design and load combinations. Usually the minimum amount of rebar or even the geometric dimensions of the structural elements are unknown when performing the structural analyses, being this data the result of the whole design workflow. This makes the whole process quite demanding and particularly complex when nuclear facilities are to be considered, for which standard regulations (f.i. the Eurocode 2 and 8) are integrated by national annexes and specific recommendations (f.i. the French RCC-CW code). Preliminary design approach is intended to provide minimum areas of rebar in each section of the structure. In this respect, standard qualified formulations for the verification of 1D elements (mainly columns and beams) and 2D elements (mainly walls and slabs) are often mandatorily proposed in codes and regulations. The need of these implementations must meet both ergonomic purposes, in the pre-processing and, especially, in the post-processing phase, and solve optimization issues, which can be demanding especially in highly congested rebar zones. EDF (Électricité de France), a leader actor in the nuclear energy field, has promoted a partnership with AETHER Engineering (an Italian based company, responsible for the pre-processing part) and KOBE Innovation Engineering (a Spin-off and Start-up from the University of Florence, responsible for the post-processing) in order to deal with those issues inside a dedicated tool (Civil Works Tool). Regarding the afore-mentioned objectives, the approach here discussed, implemented at this stage and integrated in the Civil Works Tool (CWT), allows, in terms of i) ergonomics, to fully exploit the current web-based technologies in order to handle the interface and the interactivity with the visually represented objects and the related data (mainly reinforced concrete structural elements, their internal forces and reinforcement amounts for each component), and, in terms of ii) optimization, to accompany the standard solution with optimization methods such as the section cut method. Few more aspects related to future development and the possibility to integrate advanced optimization methodologies (f.i. smoothing, redistribution of reinforcement or event optimization of the elements dimensions such as thickness etc.) inside a user and engineer-friendly environment will be discussed to enrich the actual state of the art of the tools.