• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.427-438
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• 2018

Static stability is a decisive factor in the design of domes. Stability-related external factors, such as load and supports, are incorporated into structural vulnerability theory by the definition of a relative rate of joint well-formedness ($r_r$). Hence, the instability mechanism of domes can be revealed. To improve stability, an optimization model against instability, which takes the maximization of the lowest $r_r$ ($r_{r,min}$) as the objective and the discrete member sections as the variables, is established with constraints on the design requirements and steel consumption. Optimizations are performed on two real-life Kiewitt-6 model domes with a span of 23.4 m and rise of 11.7 m, which are initially constructed for shaking table collapse test. Well-formedness analyses and stability calculation (via arc-length method) of the models throughout the optimization history demonstrate that this proposed method can effectively enhance $r_{r,min}$ and optimize the static stability of shell-like structures. Additionally, seismic performance of the optimum models subjected to the same earthquake as in the shaking table test is checked. The supplemental simulations prove that the optimum models are superior to the original models under earthquake load as well.

• 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.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.613-622
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• 2018

The requirement to safe and economical buildings caused to the exploitation of nonlinear capacity structures and optimization of them. This requirement leads to forming seismic design method based on performance. In this study, concentrically braced frames (CBFs) have been optimized at the immediate occupancy (IO) and collapse prevention (CP) levels. Minimizing structural weight is taken as objective function subjected to performance constraints on inter-story drift ratios at various performance levels. In order to evaluate the seismic capacity of the CBFs, pushover analysis is conducted, and the process of optimization has been done by using Bee Algorithm. Results indicate that performance based design caused to have minimum structural weight and due to increase capacity of CBFs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.749-758
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• 2018

This article derived a hybrid coupling technique using the higher-order displacement polynomial and three soft computing techniques (teaching learning-based optimization, particle swarm optimization, and artificial bee colony) to predict the optimal stacking sequence of the layered structure and the corresponding frequency values. The higher-order displacement kinematics is adopted for the mathematical model derivation considering the necessary stress and stain continuity and the elimination of shear correction factor. A nine noded isoparametric Lagrangian element (eighty-one degrees of freedom at each node) is engaged for the discretisation and the desired model equation derived via the classical Hamilton's principle. Subsequently, three soft computing techniques are employed to predict the maximum natural frequency values corresponding to their optimum layer sequences via a suitable home-made computer code. The finite element convergence rate including the optimal solution stability is established through the iterative solutions. Further, the predicted optimal stacking sequence including the accuracy of the frequency values are verified with adequate comparison studies. Lastly, the derived hybrid models are explored further to by solving different numerical examples for the combined structural parameters (length to width ratio, length to thickness ratio and orthotropicity on frequency and layer-sequence) and the implicit behavior discuss in details.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.471-491
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• 2021

In this study, we estimate the ultimate load of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST) by developing a novel hybrid predictive model (ANN-BCMO) which is a combination of balancing composite motion optimization (BCMO) - a very new optimization technique and artificial neural network (ANN). For this aim, an experimental database consisting of 422 datasets is used for the development and validation of the ANN-BCMO model. Variables in the database are related with the geometrical characteristics of the structural members, and the mechanical properties of the constituent materials (steel and concrete). Validation of the hybrid ANN-BCMO model is carried out by applying standard statistical criteria such as root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R²), and mean absolute error (MAE). In addition, the selection of appropriate values for parameters of the hybrid ANN-BCMO is conducted and its robustness is evaluated and compared with the conventional ANN techniques. The results reveal that the new hybrid ANN-BCMO model is a promising tool for prediction of the ultimate load of rectangular CFST, and prove the effective role of BCMO as a powerful algorithm in optimizing and improving the capability of the ANN predictor.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.481-488
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• 2020

Composite materialsuch as glass-fiber reinforced plastic and carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) shows anisotropic property and have been widely used for structural members and outfitings of ships. The structural safety of composite structures has been generally evaluated via finite element analysis. This paper presents a technique for updating the finite element model of anisotropic beams or plates via natural frequencies. The finite element model updates involved a compensation process of anisotropic material properties, such as the elastic and shear moduli of orthotropic structural members. The technique adopted was based on a discrete genetic algorithm, which is an optimization technique. The cost function was adopted to assess the optimization problem, which consisted of the calculated and referenced low-order natural frequencies for the target structure. The optimization process was implemented with MATLAB, which includes the finite element updates and the corresponding natural frequency calculations with MSC/NASTRAN. Material properties of a virtual cantilevered orthotropic beam were estimated to verify the presented method and the results obtained were compared with the reference values. Furthermore, the technique was applied to a cantilevered CFRP beam to successfully estimate the unknown material properties.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.377-392
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• 2001

The response of multi-story building structures to lateral loads, mainly due to earthquake and wind, is investigated for preliminary design purposes. Emphasis is placed on structural systems consisting of rigid and braced steel frames. An attempt to gain a qualitative understanding of the influence of bending and shear stiffness distribution on the deformations of such structures is made. This is achieved by modeling the structure with a stiffness equivalent Timoshenko beam. It is observed that the conventional stiffness distribution, dictated by strength constraints, may not be the best to satisfy deflection criteria. This is particularly the case for slender structural systems with prevailing bending deformations, such as flexible braced frames. This suggests that a new approach to the design of such frames may be appropriate when serviceability governs. A pertinent strategy for preliminary design purposes is proposed.

• Journal of information and communication convergence engineering
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2010

The composite stock cutting problem is defined as allocating rectangular and irregular patterns onto a large composite stock sheet of finite dimensions in such a way that the resulting scrap will be minimized. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach to hybrid optimization algorithm called MGA in MPI (Message Passing Interface) environments. The proposed MGA combines the benefit of rapid convergence property of Mean Field Annealing and the effective genetic operations. This paper also proposes the efficient data structures for pattern related information.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2018

In this study, a mixed-interpolated tensorial component 4 nodes method (MITC4) is treated as a numerical analysis model for topology optimization using multiple materials assigned within Reissner-Mindlin plates. Multi-material optimal topology and shape are produced as alternative plate retrofit designs to provide reasonable material assignments based on stress distributions. Element density distribution contours of mixing multiple material densities are linked to Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) as a design model. Mathematical formulation of multi-material topology optimization problem solving minimum compliance is an alternating active-phase algorithm with the Gauss-Seidel version as an optimization model of optimality criteria. Numerical examples illustrate the reliability and accuracy of the present design method for multi-material topology optimization with Reissner-Mindlin plates using MITC4 elements and steel materials.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2018

High performance concrete (HPC) depends on various parameters such as the type of cement, aggregate and water reducer amount. Generally, the ready concrete company in various regions according to the requirements and costs, mix design of concrete as well as type of cement, aggregates, and, amount of other components will vary as a result of moment decisions or dynamic optimization, though the ideal conditions will be more applicable for the design of mix proportion of concrete. This study aimed to apply dynamic optimization for mix design of HPC; consequently, the objective function, decision variables, input and output variables and constraints are defined and also the proposed dynamic optimization model is validated by experimental results. Results indicate that dynamic optimization objective function can be defined in such a way that the compressive strength or performance of all constraints is simultaneously examined, so changing any of the variables at each step of the process input and output data changes the dynamic of the process which makes concrete mix design formidable.