DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK

Abstract

This paper presents an Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) model for the cost optimization of simply supported beams designed according to the requirements of the ACI 318-08 code. The model formulation includes the cost of concrete, the cost of reinforcement and the cost of formwork. A simply supported beam was designed adopting variable cross sections, in order to demonstrate the model capabilities in optimizing the beam design. Computer models have been developed for the structural design optimization of reinforced concrete simple beams using NEURO SHELL-2 software. The results obtained were compared with the results obtained by using the classical optimization model, developed in the well known Excel software spreadsheet which uses the generalized reduced gradient (GRG). The results obtained using the two modes are in good agreement