Cost Optimisation of Beam and Slab By Hatindera Singh, Civil
Abstract
As
most of the work of optimisation is done by considering weight as objective
function with the assumption that minimum cost will come from minimum weight.
But practically it is not so. The paper presents the optimisation of beam and
slab taking cost as objective function. The variables used in this research are
discrete variables. The optimisation techniques allow designers to design
perfect design for the structure. The perfect design of a structure means the
utmost economic structure deprived of impairing the conditions for which it is
made. The design objective of our work is to minimise the total cost of a
structure. The resultant structure, nevertheless, must not only be marked with
a low cost but also follow with a working strength requirements for the given
applied load as per IS: 456-2000. Two types of structural element beam and slab
are studied, namely: singly reinforced T-beam and simply supported one-way
slab. These elements are designed according to the requirements of the IS
456:2000 code. Total cost includes cost of concrete, steel and form work are
considered. Genetic Algorithm which is a type of heuristic techniques was
carried out in this research. Genetic algorithm belongs to the family of evolutionary
algorithms. Genetic Algorithm is an iterative procedure that is driven from the
‘survival of the fittest’ principle of Darwinian Theory of natural evolution.
Meanwhile the modification of aspects in a genetic algorithm (e.g., population
size, crossover, and maximum number of generations) is a substantial issue for
any application, we have applied our own practise to deal with this problem.
Structural design optimisation of RC Beam and Slab is done using MATLAB
software.
