Flexural Design of Reinforced Concrete Frames by Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

A genetic algorithm is used to perform the discrete optimization of reinforced concrete plane frames subject to combinations of gravity loads and lateral loads. Difficulties in finding optimum sections from a semi-infinite set of member sizes and reinforcement arrangements are alleviated by constructing data sets, which contain a finite number of sectional properties of beams and columns in a practical range. Construction practice is also implemented by linking columns and beams by group and by considering “connectivity” between columns located in the same column line. It is shown that the developed genetic algorithm obtained an optimal design for reinforced concrete plane frames.