• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.733-744
• /
• 2016

In this study, optimum structural designs of braced (non-swaying) planar steel frames are investigated by using one of the recent meta-heuristic search techniques, teaching-learning based optimization. Optimum design problems are performed according to American Institute of Steel Construction- Allowable Stress Design (AISC-ASD) specifications. A computer program is developed in MATLAB interacting with SAP2000 OAPI (Open Application Programming Interface) to conduct optimization procedures. Optimum cross sections are selected from a specified list of 128W profiles taken from AISC. Two different braced planar frames taken from literature are carried out for stress, geometric size, displacement and inter-storey drift constraints. It is concluded that teaching-learning based optimization presents robust and applicable optimum solutions in multi-element structural problems.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 2000.10a
• /
• pp.109-114
• /
• 2000

In this paper, an optimum design model for minimizing the life-cycle cost (LCC) of high-speed railway steel bridges is proposed The point is that it takes into account service life process as a whole, and thus the life-cycle costs include initial (design, testing, and construction) costs, maintenance costs, expected strength failure costs and expected serviceability failure costs. The problem is formulated as that of minimization of expected total life-cycle cost with respect to the design variables. By processing the optimum LCC design the effective and rational basis is proposed for calculating the total LCC and the sensitivity analysis of LCC is peformed. Based on a numerical example, it may be positively stated that the optimum LCC design of high-speed railway steel bridges proposed in this study provides a lot more rational and economical design, and thus the proposed approach will expedite the development of new concepts and design methodologies that may have important implications in the next generation performance-based design codes and standards.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 1993.10a
• /
• pp.106-112
• /
• 1993

This paper presents the optimum design of reinforced concrete conical shell which is fixed at the base and free at the top. The calculation of stresses is done using the SMAP(Segmented Matrix Analysis Package)program which uses the simple finite element method of analysis. The objective function contains the ratios of the unit cost of reinforcements and formwork to that of concrete. To Simplify the optimization procedure, the final optimum design of conical shell is obtained by combining the result of each element. The results are presented and discussed.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 2012

This study investigates the optimum structural design of space truss considering global buckling, and is to obtain the minimal weight of the structure. The mathematical programming method is used for optimization of each member by member force. Besides, dynamic programming method is adapted for consideration in snap-through buckling. The mathematical modeling for optimum design of truss members consists of objective function of total weight and constrain equations of allowable tensile (or compressive) stress and slenderness. The tangential stiffness matrix is examined to find the critical point on equilibrium path, and a ratio of the buckling load to design load is reflected in iteration procedures of dynamic programming method to adjust the stiffness of space truss. The star dome is examined to verify the proposed optimum design processor. The numerical results of the model are conversed well and satisfied all constrains. This processor is a relatively simple method to carry out optimum design with consideration in global buckling, and is viable in practice with respect to structural design.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.361-375
• /
• 2014

The main aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between thickness and height of the axially symmetric cylindrical reinforced concrete (RC) walls by the help of a meta-heuristic optimization procedure. The material cost of the wall which includes concrete, reinforcement and formwork, was chosen as objective function of the optimization problem. The wall thickness, compressive strength of concrete and diameter of reinforcement bars were defined as design variables and tank volume, radius and height of the wall, loading condition and unit cost of material were defined as design constants. Numerical analyses of the wall were conducted by using superposition method (SPM) considering ACI 318-Building code requirements for structural concrete. The optimum wall thickness-height relationship was investigated under three main cases related with compressive strength of concrete and density of the stored liquid. According to the results, the proposed method is effective on finding the optimum design with minimum cost.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.82-94
• /
• 1988

A growing attention has been paid to the optimum design of structures in recent years. Most studies on the optimum design of reinforced concrete structures has been mainly focussed to the design of structural members such as beams, slabs and columns, and there exist few studies that deal with the optimum design of large-scale concrete shell structures. The purpose of the present investigation is, therefore, to set up an efficient optimum design method for the large-scale reinforced concrete cylindrical shell structures like intake tower of reservoir. The major design variables are the dimensions and steel areas of each member of structures. The construction cost which is compo8ed of the concrete, steel, and form work costs, respectively, is taken as the objective function. The constraint equations for the design of intake-tower are derived on the basis of strength design method. The results obtained are summarized as follows 1. The efficient optimlzation algorithrns which can execute the automatic optimum design of reinforced concrete intake tower based on the strength design method were developed. 2. Since the objective function and design variables were converged to their optimum values within the first or second iteration, the optimization algorithms developed in this study seem to be efficient and stable. 3. When using the strength design method, the construction cost could be saved about 9% compared with working stress design method. Therefore, the reliability of algorithm was proved. 4. The difference in construction cost between the optimum designs with substructures and with entire structure was found to be small and thus the optimum design with substructures may conveniently be used in practical design. 5. The major active constraints of each structural member were found to be the 'bending moment constraint for slab, the minimum longitudinal steel ratio constraint for tower body and the shearing force, bending moment and maximum eccentricity constraints for footing, respectively. 6. The computer program developed in the present study can be effectively used even by an uneiperienced designer for the optimum design of reinforced concrete intake-tower on the basis of strength design method.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 1996.10a
• /
• pp.277-287
• /
• 1996

Based on the developments of the reliability-based steel structural analysis and design as well as the extending knowledgy on the probabilitic characteristics of loading and resistance the probability based design criteria have been successful Iy developed for many students. The existing design codes, which are genarally based on the structural theory and certain engineering experience, do not realistically consider the uncertainties of loads and resistance and the basic reliability concepts. It is recognized to develope the design criteria by ETCM(Expected Total cost Minimization). In this study, therefore, the proper probability based design criteria (Optimum load and resistance factor design formats ) has been developed based on the safety levels observed from calibration Iii th existing standards, which applies to the ultimate limit states of steel structural members.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.1840-1848
• /
• 2003

This paper presents the structural analysis and optimum design of a vertical micro-gyroscope with decoupled 2 degrees of freedom (DOF), driven by electrostatic force. Simplified beam models were presented to derive the structural stiffness of the driving spring of the U shape and the sensing spring of I shape. A finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to validate each derivation. A total mass and a polar mass moment of inertia were also obtained and used in calculating the resonance frequency at each mode of the 2 DOF. The resonance frequencies of the total system were calculated using the proposed models and it has been found that they were in excellent agreement with those of the FEA. Finally, the developed analysis program was then linked to an optimum design module, and an optimum design of the micro-gyroscope was successfully performed.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.1842-1850
• /
• 2017

Reducing the noise and vibration of the BLDC motors is very essential for some special applications. In this paper, a new structural design is introduced to increase the natural frequencies of the stator in BLDC motors as increasing the natural frequencies can reduce the severe effects of the structural resonances, including high levels of noise and vibration. The design is based on placing a single hole on definite regions at the stator cross sectional area (each region contains one tooth and its upper parts in the stator yoke) in an optimum way by which the natural frequencies at different modes are shifted to the higher values. The optimum diameter and locations for the holes are extracted by the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the modal analyses in the iterative process are done by Finite Element Method (FEM). Moreover, the motor performance by the optimum stator structure is analyzed by FEM and compared with the prototype motor. Preventing the stator magnetic saturation and the motor cogging torque enhancement are the two constraints of the optimization problem. The optimal structural design method is applied experimentally and the validity of the design method is confirmed by the simulated and experimental results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.351-368
• /
• 2014

This study presents a hunting search based optimum design algorithm for engineering optimization problems. Hunting search algorithm is an optimum design method inspired by group hunting of animals such as wolves, lions, and dolphins. Each of these hunters employs hunting in a different way. However, they are common in that all of them search for a prey in a group. Hunters encircle the prey and the ring of siege is tightened gradually until it is caught. Hunting search algorithm is employed for the automation of optimum design process, during which the design variables are selected for the minimum objective function value controlled by the design restrictions. Three different examples, namely welded beam, cellular beam and moment resisting steel frame are selected as numerical design problems and solved for the optimum solution. Each example differs in the following ways: Unlike welded beam design problem having continuous design variables, steel frame and cellular beam design problems include discrete design variables. Moreover, while the cellular beam is designed under the provisions of BS 5960, LRFD-AISC (Load and Resistant Factor Design-American Institute of Steel Construction) is considered for the formulation of moment resisting steel frame. Levy Flights is adapted to the simple hunting search algorithm for better search. For comparison, same design examples are also solved by using some other well-known search methods in the literature. Results reveal that hunting search shows good performance in finding optimum solutions for each design problem.