Optimum Design of Welded Steel Plate Girder Bridges Using a Genetic Algorithm with Elitism
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 10, Issue 3
Abstract
The genetic algorithm (GA) is a general optimization technique that has some unique features that are especially suitable for structural engineering problems. This work uses a simple GA with elitism to find the optimum design of welded steel plate girder bridges. The objectives are to minimize the weight and the cost of the girders. Two types of plate-girder bridges are studied: a single-span bridge and a two-equal-span continuous bridge. Bridges with various span lengths, in increments of , are investigated; results are tabulated, parametric studies are made, and meaningful conclusions are drawn.
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Acknowledgment
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Charlie Gorman of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Construction Marketing Group, for providing us reference material and cost information, which were helpful for our study and essential for programming.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 10 • Issue 3 • May 2005
Pages: 291 - 301
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 8, 2002
Accepted: Apr 20, 2004
Published online: May 1, 2005
Published in print: May 2005
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