• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 1996

An artificial neural network is a computational model that mimics the biological system of the brain and it consists of a number of interconnected processing units where it can reasonably infer by them. Because the neural network is particularly useful for evaluating systems with a multitude of nonlinear variables, it can be used in experimental results predictions, in structural planning and in optimum design of structures. This paper describes the basic theory related to the neural networks and discusses the applicability of neural networks to predict the ultimate shear capacity of the precast concrete vertical joints by comparing the neural networks with a conventional method such as regression.