Optimization of Cable Cross-Sectional Area in Long Span Cable Stayed Bridges

Modern formulation of structural optimization was initiated in 1960. During the evolution and maturation of this design methodology some researchers promoted the idea of generating a set of problems to test the performance of numerical algorithms for different classes of optimization problems. Recently the Technical Committee of optimum Structural Design of ASCE agreed upon defining a new set of benchmark cases of structural optimization showing, as much as possible, resemblance with real engineering problems in order to show the applicability of optimization methodologies. As a part of that set the volume minimization of the cables material of a cable stayed bridge is presented. The bridge has a main span of 658 m and is composed of 160 cables. Geometrical and mechanical data of each bridge element are very similar to many structures of this type commonly present in real engineering design.