• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.31-51
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• 2012

This paper presents a computational study that explores the design of rigid steel frames by considering construction related costs. More specifically, two different aspects are investigated in this study focusing on the effects of (a) reducing the number of labor intensive rigid connections within a frame of given geometric layout, and (b) reducing the number of different member section types used in the frame. A genetic algorithm based optimization framework searches design space for these objectives. Unlike some studies that express connection cost as a factor of the entire frame weight, here connections and their associated cost factors are explicitly represented at the member level to evaluate the cost of connections associated with each beam. In addition, because variety in member section types can drive up construction related costs, its effects are evaluated implicitly by generating curves that show the trade off between cost and different numbers of section types used within the frame. Our results show that designs in which all connections are considered to be rigid can be excessively conservative: rigid connections can often be eliminated without any appreciable increase in frame weight, resulting in a reduction in overall cost. Eliminating additional rigid connections leads to further reductions in cost, even as frame weight increases, up to a certain point. These complex relationships between overall cost, rigid connections, and member section types are presented for a representative five-story steel frame.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.453-469
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• 2004

In this article, a genetic algorithm based optimum design method is presented for non-linear steel frames with semi-rigid connections. The design algorithm obtains the minimum weight frame by selecting suitable sections from a standard set of steel sections such as European wide flange beams (i.e., HE sections). A genetic algorithm is employed as optimization method which utilizes reproduction, crossover and mutation operators. Displacement and stress constraints of Turkish Building Code for Steel Structures (TS 648, 1980) are imposed on the frame. The algorithm requires a large number of non-linear analyses of frames. The analyses cover both the non-linear behaviour of beam-to-column connection and $P-{\Delta}$ effects of beam-column members. The Frye and Morris polynomial model is used for modelling of semi-rigid connections. Two design examples with various type of connections are presented to demonstrate the application of the algorithm. The semi-rigid connection modelling results in more economical solutions than rigid connection modelling, but it increases frame drift.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2018

This paper proposes a developed optimization model for steel frames with semi-rigid beam-to-column connections and fixed bases using teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) and genetic algorithm (GA) techniques. This method uses rotational deformations of frame members ends as an optimization variable to simultaneously obtain the optimum cross-sections and the most suitable beam-to-column connection type. The total cost of members plus connections cost of the frame are minimized. Frye and Morris (1975) polynomial model is used for modeling nonlinearity of semi-rigid connections, and the $P-{\Delta}$ effect and geometric nonlinearity are considered through a stepped analysis process. The stress and displacement constraints of AISC-LRFD (2016) specifications, along with size fitting constraints, are considered in the design procedure. The developed model is applied to three benchmark steel frames, and the results are compared with previous literature results. The comparisons show that developed model using both LTBO and GA achieves better results than previous approaches in the literature.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2016

In this study, the three different meta-heuristics namely the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), Stochastic Fractal Search (SFS), and Adaptive Differential Evolution with Optional External Archive (JADE) algorithms are examined. This study considers optimization of the planer frame to minimize its weight subjected to the strength and displacement constraints as per the American Institute of Steel and Construction - Load and Resistance Factor Design (AISC-LRFD). The GWO algorithm is associated with grey wolves' activities in the social hierarchy. The SFS algorithm works on the natural phenomenon of growth. JADE on the other hand is a powerful self-adaptive version of a differential evolution algorithm. A one-bay ten-story planar steel frame problem is examined in the present work to investigate the design ability of the proposed algorithms. The frame design is produced by optimizing the W-shaped cross sections of beam and column members as per AISC-LRFD standard steel sections. The results of the algorithms are compared. In addition, these results are also mapped with other state-of-art algorithms.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.71 no.4
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• pp.417-432
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• 2019

Seismic performance analysis of steel-brace reinforced concrete (RC) frame using topology optimization in highly seismic region was discussed in this research. Topology optimization based on truss-like material model was used, which was to minimum volume in full-stress method. Optimized bracing systems of low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise RC frames were established, and optimized bracing systems of substructure were also gained under different constraint conditions. Thereafter, different structure models based on optimized bracing systems were proposed and applied. Last, structural strength, structural stiffness, structural ductility, collapse resistant capacity, collapse probability and demolition probability were studied. Moreover, the brace buckling was discussed. The results show that bracing system of RC frame could be derived using topology optimization, and bracing system based on truss-like model could help to resolve numerical instabilities. Bracing system of topology optimization was more effective to enhance structural stiffness and strength, especially in mid-rise and high-rise frames. Moreover, bracing system of topology optimization contributes to increase collapse resistant capacity, as well as reduces collapse probability and accumulated demolition probability. However, brace buckling might weaken beneficial effects.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.519-538
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• 2013

The design optimization of a cold-formed steel portal frame building is considered in this paper. The proposed genetic algorithm (GA) optimizer considers both topology (i.e., frame spacing and pitch) and cross-sectional sizes of the main structural members as the decision variables. Previous GAs in the literature were characterized by poor convergence, including slow progress, that usually results in excessive computation times and/or frequent failure to achieve an optimal or near-optimal solution. This is the main issue addressed in this paper. In an effort to improve the performance of the conventional GA, a niching strategy is presented that is shown to be an effective means of enhancing the dissimilarity of the solutions in each generation of the GA. Thus, population diversity is maintained and premature convergence is reduced significantly. Through benchmark examples, it is shown that the efficient GA proposed generates optimal solutions more consistently. A parametric study was carried out, and the results included. They show significant variation in the optimal topology in terms of pitch and frame spacing for a range of typical column heights. They also show that the optimized design achieved large savings based on the cost of the main structural elements; the inclusion of knee braces at the eaves yield further savings in cost, that are significant.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.603-617
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• 2022

Structural design, in general, is developed through trial and error technique which is guided by standards criteria and based on the intuition and experience of the engineer, a context that leads to structural over-dimensioning, with uneconomic solutions. Aiming to find the optimal design, structural optimization methods have been developed to find a balance between cost, structural safety, and material performance. These methods have become a great opportunity in the steel structural engineering domain since they have as their main purpose is weight minimization, a factor directly correlated to the real cost of the structure. Assuming an objective function of minimum weight with stress and displacement constraints provided by Brazilian standards, the present research proposes the sizing optimization and combined approach of sizing and shape optimization, through a software developed to implement the Simulated Annealing metaheuristic algorithm. Therefore, two steel plane frame layouts, each admitting four typical truss geometries, were proposed in order to expose the difference between the optimal solutions. The assessment of the optimal solutions indicates a notable weight reduction, especially in sizing and shape optimization combination, in which the quantity of design variables is increased along with the search space, improving the efficiency of the optimal solutions achieved.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.1119-1139
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• 2014

A damage-based seismic design procedure for steel frame structures is formulated as an optimization problem, in which minimization of the initial construction cost is treated as the objective of the problem. The performance constraint of the design procedure is to achieve "repairable" damage state for earthquake demands that are less severe than the design ground motions. The Park-Ang damage index is selected as the seismic damage measure for the quantification of structural damage. The charged system search (CSS) algorithm is employed as the optimization algorithm to search the optimum solutions. To improve the time efficiency of the solution algorithm, two simplifying strategies are adopted: first, SDOF idealization of multi-story building structures capable of estimating the actual seismic response in a very short time; second, fitness approximation decreasing the number of fitness function evaluations. The results from a numerical application of the proposed framework for designing a twelve-story 3D steel frame structure demonstrate its efficiency in solving the present optimization problem.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-57
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• 2022

This article presents a computationally efficient framework for multi-objective seismic design optimization of steel moment-resisting frame (MRF) structures based on the nonlinear dynamic analysis procedure. This framework employs the uniform damage distribution philosophy to minimize the weight (initial cost) of the structure at different levels of damage. The preliminary framework was recently proposed by the authors based on the single excitation and the nonlinear static (pushover) analysis procedure, in which the effects of record-to-record variability as well as higher-order vibration modes were neglected. The present study investigates the reliability of the previous framework by extending the proposed algorithm using the nonlinear dynamic design procedure (optimization under multiple ground motions). Three benchmark structures, including 4-, 8-, and 12-story steel MRFs, representing the behavior of low-, mid-, and high-rise buildings, are utilized to evaluate the proposed framework. The total weight of the structure and the maximum inter-story drift ratio (IDRmax) resulting from the average response of the structure to a set of seven ground motion records are considered as two conflicting objectives for the optimization problem and are simultaneously minimized. The results of this study indicate that the optimization under several ground motions leads to almost similar outcomes in terms of optimization objectives to those are obtained from optimization under pushover analysis. However, investigation of optimal designs under a suite of 22 earthquake records reveals that the damage distribution in buildings designed by the nonlinear dynamic-based procedure is closer to the uniform distribution (desired target during the optimization process) compared to those designed according to the pushover procedure.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.339-353
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• 2023

The primary objective of the current study is to optimize and evaluate the seismic performance of steel momentresisting frame (MRF) structures considering soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects. The structural optimization is implemented in the context of performance-based design in accordance with FEMA-350 at different confidence levels from 50% to 90% by taking into account fixed- and flexible-base conditions using an efficient metaheuristic algorithm. Nonlinear response-history analysis (NRHA) is conducted to evaluate the seismic response of structures, and the beam-on-nonlinear Winkler foundation (BNWF) model is used to simulate the soil-foundation interaction under the MRFs. The seismic performance of optimally designed fixed- and flexible-base steel MRFs are compared in terms of overall damage index, seismic collapse safety, and interstory drift ratios at different performance levels. Two illustrative examples of 6- and 12-story steel MRFs are presented. The results show that the consideration of SSI in the optimization process of 6- and 12-story steel MRFs results in an increase of 1.0 to 9.0 % and 0.5 to 5.0 % in structural weight and a slight decrease in structural seismic safety at different confidence levels.