Expert System for Optimum Design of Concrete Structures

Abstract

Optimization of concrete structures at the conceptual design stage has been based so far on informal methods. The designer would use his expertise, which is often heuristic, to find optimum solutions. The optimization at the design realization stage is usually achieved by making use of numerical techniques. The minimum‐weight approach used in steel structures is not valid for concrete structures because of different costs for steel, concrete, form work, and work force. In this paper, a formal method is proposed for the cost optimization of reinforced‐concrete structures. A cost function has been derived to estimate the optimum sizes of members at the conceptual design stage. An expert system, called EXFORM, was developed for the cost‐optimum design of reinforced‐concrete members. EXFORM makes use of cost function along with heuristic knowledge of the designer. The scope of the work is extended to the design of columns, beams, and slabs.