Cost Optimization of Concrete Structures
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 124, Issue 5
Abstract
Construction of concrete structures involves at least three different materials: concrete, steel, and formwork. As such, design of these structures should be based on cost rather than weight minimization. A review of papers on cost optimization of concrete structures published in archival journals is presented in this paper. These structures include beams, slabs, columns, frame structures, bridges, water tanks, folded plates, shear walls, pipes, and tensile members. Interesting and important results and conclusions are summarized. A review of reliability-based cost optimization is also included in the paper. It is concluded that there is a need to perform research on cost optimization of realistic three-dimensional structures, especially large structures with hundreds of members where optimization can result in substantial savings. The results of such research efforts will be of great value to practicing engineers. Additional research needs to be done on life-cycle cost optimization of structures where the life-cycle cost of the structure over its lifetime is minimized instead of its initial cost of construction only.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Abendroth, R. E., and Salmon, C. G.(1986). “Sensitivity study of optimum RC restrained end T-sections.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 112(8), 1928–1943.
2.
Abuyounes, S., and Adeli, H.(1986). “Optimization of steel plate girders via general geometric programming.”J. Struct. Mech., 14(4), 501–524.
3.
ACI-ASCE Committee 423.(1974). “Tentative recommendations for prestressed concrete flat plates.”ACI J., 71(2), 61–71.
4.
Adamu, A., Karihaloo, B. L., and Rozvany, G. I. N.(1994). “Minimum cost design of reinforced concrete beams using continuum-type optimality criteria.”Struct. Optimization, 7(1/2), 91–102.
5.
Adamu, A., and Karihaloo, B. L.(1994a). “Minimum cost design of RC beams using DCOC, Part I. Beams with freely-varying cross-sections.”Struct. Optimization, 7(4), 237–251.
6.
Adamu, A., and Karihaloo, B. L.(1994b). “Minimum cost design of RC beams using DCOC, Part II. Beams with uniform cross-sections.”Struct. Optimization, 7(4), 252–259.
7.
Adamu, A., and Karihaloo, B. L.(1995a). “Minimum cost design of RC beams with segmentation using continuum-type optimality criteria.”Struct. Optimization, 9(3/4), 220–235.
8.
Adamu, A., and Karihaloo, B. L.(1995b). “Minimum cost design of RC frames using the DCOC method, Part I. Columns under uniaxial bending actions.”Struct. Optimization, 10(1), 16–32.
9.
Adamu, A., and Karihaloo, B. L.(1995c). “Minimum cost design of RC frames using the DCOC method, Part II. Columns under biaxial bending actions.”Struct. Optimization, 10(1), 33–39.
10.
Adeli, H., ed. (1994). Advances in design optimization. Chapman and Hall, Ltd., New York, N.Y.
11.
Adeli, H., and Hung, S. L. (1995). Machine learning—neural networks, genetic algorithms, and fuzzy systems. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y.
12.
Adeli, H., and Kamal, O. (1993). Parallel processing in structural engineering. Elsevier Applied Science, London, England.
13.
Al-Salloum, Y. A., and Siddiqi, G. H.(1994). “Cost-optimum design of reinforced concrete beams.”ACI Struct. J., 91(6), 647–655.
14.
Andam, K. A., and Knapton, J.(1980). “Optimum cost design of precast concrete framed structures.”Engrg. Optimization, 5(1), 41–50.
15.
Arora, J. S. (1989). Introduction to optimum design. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, N.Y.
16.
Balling, R. J., and Yao, X.(1997). “Optimization of reinforced concrete frames.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 123(2), 193–202.
17.
Barr, A. S., Sarin, S. C., and Bishara, A. G.(1989). “Procedure for structural optimization.”ACI Struct. J., 86(5), 524–531.
18.
Beightler, C. S., and Phillips, D. H. (1976). Applied geometric programming. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y.
19.
Bridge design regulations. (1982). Ohio Department of Transportation, Columbus, Ohio.
20.
Brown, R. H.(1975). “Minimum cost selection of one-way slab thickness.”J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 101(12), 2585–2590.
21.
“Building code requirements for reinforced concrete.” (1963). ACI-318-63. American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Mich.
22.
“Building code requirements for reinforced concrete.” (1971). ACI-318-71. American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Mich.
23.
“Building code requirements for reinforced concrete.” (1977). ACI-318-77. American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Mich.
24.
“Building code requirement for reinforced concrete.” (1983). ACI-318-83. American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Mich.
25.
“Building code requirements for reinforced concrete.” (1989). ACI-318-89. American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Mich.
26.
“Building code requirements for reinforced concrete.” (1995). ACI-318-95. American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Mich.
27.
Chakrabarty, B. K.(1992a). “Models for optimal design of reinforced concrete beams.”Comp. and Struct., 42(3), 447–451.
28.
Chakrabarty, B. K.(1992b). “A model for optimal design of reinforced concrete beam.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 118(11), 3238–3242.
29.
Choi, C., and Kwak, H.(1990). “Optimum RC member design with predetermined discrete sections.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 116(10), 2634–2655.
30.
Chou, T.(1977). “Optimum reinforced concrete T-beam sections.”J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 103(8), 1605–1617.
31.
“Code for the design of concrete structures for buildings.” (1977). CSA standard CAN3-A23.3-M77. Canadian Standard Association, Rexadale, Ontario, Canada.
32.
“Code of practice for the structural use of concrete, Part 1.” (1972). CP110. British Standard Institution, London, England.
33.
“Code of practice for the structural use of concrete, Part 1.” (1976). CP110. British Standard Institution, London, England.
34.
“Code of practice for the structural use of concrete, Part 1.” (1980). CP110. British Standard Institution, London, England.
35.
Cohn, M. Z., and Lounis, Z.(1993). “Optimum limit design of continuous prestressed concrete beams.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 119(12), 3551–3570.
36.
Cohn, M. Z., and Lounis, Z.(1994). “Optimal design of structural concrete bridge systems.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 120(9), 2653–2674.
37.
Cohn, M. Z., and MacRae, A. J.(1984a). “Optimization of structural concrete beams.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 110(7), 1573–1588.
38.
Cohn, M. Z., and MacRae, A. J.(1984b). “Prestressing optimization and its implications for design.”PCI J., 29(4), 68–83.
39.
Comite Euro-International du Beton (CEB) 1990: CEB-FIB model code. (1990). Comite Euro-International du Beton, Paris, France.
40.
“Concrete structures.” (1988). AS3600. Standards Association of Australia, Sydney, Australia.
41.
“Design of concrete structures for buildings.” (1984). CSA standard CAN3-A23.3-M84. Canadian Standard Association, Rexadale, Ontario, Canada.
42.
Dinno, K. S., and Mekha, B. B.(1993). “Optimal design of reinforced concrete frames based on inelastic analysis.”Comp. and Struct., 47(2), 245–252.
43.
Erbatur, F., Al Zaid, R., and Dahman, N. A.(1992). “Optimization and sensitivity of prestressed concrete beams.”Comp. and Struct., 45(5/6), 881–886.
44.
Ezeldin, A. S.(1991). “Optimum design of reinforced fiber concrete subjected to bending and geometrical constraints.”Comp. and Struct., 41(5), 1095–1100.
45.
Ezeldin, A. S., and Hsu, C. T.(1992). “Optimization of reinforced fibrous concrete beams.”ACI Struct. J., 89(1), 106–114.
46.
Fadaee, M. J., and Grierson, D. E.(1996). “Design optimization of 3D reinforced concrete structures.”Struct. Optimization, 12(2/3), 127–134.
47.
Fereig, S. M.(1996). “Economic preliminary design of bridges with prestressed I-girders.”J. Bridge Engrg., ASCE, 1(1), 18–25.
48.
Fiacco, A. V., and McCormick, G. P. (1968). Nonlinear programming: sequential unconstrained minimization techniques. Wiley-Interscience, New York, N.Y.
49.
Frangopol, D. M., and Moses, F. (1994). “Reliability-based structural optimization.”Advances in design optimization, H. Adeli, ed., Chapman and Hall, London, England, 492–570.
50.
Friel, L. L.(1974). “Optimum singly reinforced concrete sections.”ACI J., 71(11), 556–558.
51.
Goble, G. G., and Lapay, W. S.(1971). “Optimum design of prestressed beams.”ACI J., 68(9), 712–718.
52.
Goldberg, D. E. (1989). Genetic algorithms in search, optimization, and machine learning. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, Mass.
53.
“Guide for design of prestressed concrete poles.” (1983). PCI J., 28(3), 22–88.
54.
Gunaratnam, D. J., and Sivakumaran, N. S. (1978). “Optimum design of reinforced concrete slabs.”The Struct. Engr., 56B(3), 61–67.
55.
Haftka, R. T., and Gurdal, Z. (1992). Elements of structural optimization. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, Mass.
56.
Hajek, P., and Frangopol, D. M.(1991). “Optimum design of shear-wall systems.”Comp. and Struct., 38(2), 171–184.
57.
Han, S. H., Adamu, A., and Karihaloo, B. L.(1995). “Application of DCOC to optimum prestressed concrete beam design.”Engrg. Optimization, 25(3), 179–200.
58.
Han, S. H., Adamu, A., and Karihaloo, B. L.(1996). “Minimum cost design of multispan partially prestressed concrete T-beams using DCOC.”Struct. Optimization, 12(2/3), 75–86.
59.
Heinloo, M., and Kaliszky, S.(1981). “Optimal design of dynamically loaded rigid-plastic structures. Application: thick-walled concrete tube.”J. Struct. Mech., 9(3), 235–251.
60.
Himmelblau, D. M. (1972). Applied nonlinear programming. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, N.Y.
61.
Huanchun, S., and Zheng, C.(1985). “Two-level optimum design of reinforced concrete frames with integer variables.”Engrg. Optimization, 9(3), 219–232.
62.
IMSL Reference Manual. (1980). 8th Ed., International Mathematical and Statistical Library, Houston, Tex.
63.
Jones, H. L.(1985). “Minimum cost prestressed concrete beam design.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 111(11), 2464–2478.
64.
Kanagasundaram, S., and Karihaloo, B. L.(1990). “Minimum cost design of reinforced concrete structures.”Struct. Optimization, 2, 173–184.
65.
Kanagasundaram, S., and Karihaloo, B. L.(1991a). “Minimum-cost design of reinforced concrete structures.”Comp. and Struct., 41(6), 1357–1364.
66.
Kanagasundaram, S., and Karihaloo, B. L.(1991b). “Minimum-cost reinforced concrete beams and columns.”Comp. and Struct., 41(3), 509–518.
67.
Khaleel, M. A., and Itani, R. Y.(1993). “Optimization of partially prestressed concrete girders under multiple strength and serviceability criteria.”Comp. and Struct., 49(3), 427–438.
68.
Khan, F. R. (1974). “New structural system for tall buildings and their scale effects on cities.”Proc., Symposium on Tall Buildings, F. W. Beaufait, ed., Venderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., 99–128.
69.
Kirsch, U.(1972). “Optimum design of prestressed beams.”Comp. and Struct., 2(4), 573–583.
70.
Kirsch, U.(1973). “Optimum design of prestressed plates.”J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 99(6), 1075–1090.
71.
Kirsch, U.(1983). “Multilevel optimal design of reinforced concrete structures.”Engrg. Optimization, 6(4), 207–212.
72.
Kirsch, U. (1993). Struct. Optimization. Springer-Verlag, New York, N.Y.
73.
Kocer, F. Y., and Arora, J. S.(1996). “Design of prestressed concrete transmission poles: optimization approach.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 122(7), 804–814.
74.
Koskisto, O. J., and Ellingwood, B. R.(1997). “Reliability-based optimization of plant precast concrete structures.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 123(3), 298–304.
75.
Krishnamoorthy, C. S., and Mosi, D. R.(1981). “Optimal design of reinforced concrete frames based on inelastic analysis.”Engrg. Optimization, 5(3), 151–167.
76.
Lakshmy, T. K., and Bhavikatti, S. S.(1995). “Optimum design of trough type folded plate roofs.”Comp. and Struct., 57(1), 125–130.
77.
Lin, K., and Frangopol, D. M.(1996). “Reliability-based optimum design of reinforced concrete girders.”Struct. Safety, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 18(2/3), 239–258.
78.
Lounis, Z., and Cohn, M. Z.(1993a). “Optimization of precast prestressed concrete bridge girder systems.”PCI J., 38(4), 60–78.
79.
Lounis, Z., and Cohn, M. Z.(1993b). “Multiobjective optimization of prestressed concrete structures.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 119(3), 794–808.
80.
Lounis, Z., and Cohn, M. Z.(1995a). “Computer-aided design of prestressed concrete cellular bridge decks.”Microcomputers in Civ. Engrg., 10(1), 1–11.
81.
Lounis, Z., and Cohn, M. Z.(1995b). “An engineering approach to multicriteria optimization of bridge structures.”Microcomputers in Civ. Engrg., 10(4), 233–238.
82.
Lounis, Z., and Cohn, M. Z.(1996). “An approach to preliminary design of precast pretensioned concrete girders.”Microcomputers in Civ. Engrg., 11(6), 381–393.
83.
MacRae, A. J., and Cohn, M. Z.(1987). “Optimization of prestressed concrete flat plates.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 113(5), 943–957.
84.
Model code for concrete structures. (1978). Comité Euro-International du Beton, Paris, France.
85.
Moharrami, H., and Grierson, D. E.(1993). “Computer-automated design of reinforced concrete frameworks.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 119(7), 2036–2058.
86.
Morris, D.(1978). “Prestressed concrete design by linear programming.”J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 104(3), 439–452.
87.
Moses, F.(1977). “Structural system reliability and optimization.”Comp. and Struct., 7(2), 283–290.
88.
Naaman, A. E.(1976). “Minimum cost versus minimum weight of prestressed slabs.”J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 102(7), 1493–1505.
89.
Naaman, A. E.(1982). “Optimum design of prestressed concrete tension members.”J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 108(8), 1722–1738.
90.
Ontario highway bridge design code and commentary. (1983). 2nd Ed., Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Downsview, Ontario, Canada.
91.
Park, M. H., and Harik, I. E.(1987). “Optimum design of horizontally curved R/C slabs.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 113(11), 2195–2211.
92.
Paul, H., Das Gupta, N. C., and Yu, C. H.(1990). “A geometric programming method for cost-optimal design of a modular floor system.”Engrg. Optimization, 16(3), 205–220.
93.
Prakash, A., Agarwala, S. K., and Singh, K. K.(1988). “Optimum design of reinforced concrete sections.”Comp. and Struct., 30(4), 1009–1011.
94.
Rozvany, G. I. N., Zhou, M., and Sigmund, O. (1994). “Optimization of topology.”Advances in design optimization, H. Adeli, ed., Chapman and Hall, London, England 340–399.
95.
Saouma, V. E., and Murad, R. S.(1984). “Partially prestressed concrete beam optimization.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 110(3), 589–604.
96.
Saxena, M., Sharma, S. P., and Mohan, C.(1987). “Cost optimization of Intze tanks on shafts using nonlinear programming.”Engrg. Optimization, 10(4), 279–288.
97.
Siddall, J. N. (1972). Analytical decision making in engineering design. Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
98.
Spires, D., and Arora, J. S.(1990). “Optimal design of tall RC-framed tube buildings.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 116(4), 877–897.
99.
SriVidya, A., and Ranganathan, R.(1995). “Reliability based optimal design reinforced concrete frames.”Comp. and Struct., 57(4), 651–661.
100.
Standard specifications for highway bridges. (1977). American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
101.
Standard specifications for highway bridges. (1983). American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
102.
Standard specifications for highway bridges. (1992). American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
103.
“Standard specifications for the design and construction of reinforced concrete chimneys.” (1971). ACI 307-69. American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Mich.
104.
Surahman, A., and Rojiani, K. B.(1983). “Reliability based optimum design of concrete frames.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 109(3), 741–757.
105.
Tan, G. H., Thevendran, V., Das Gupta, N. C., and Thambiratnam, D. P.(1993). “Design of reinforced concrete cylindrical water tanks for minimum material cost.”Comp. and Struct., 48(5), 803–810.
106.
Thakkar, M. C., and Bulsari, B. S.(1972). “Optimal design of prestressed concrete poles.”J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 98(1), 61–74.
107.
Thakkar, M. C., and Sridhar Rao, J. K.(1974). “Optimal design of prestressed concrete pipes using linear programming.”Comp. and Struct., 4(2), 373–380.
108.
Torres, G. G. B., Brotchie, J. F., and Cornell, C. A.(1966). “A program for the optimum design of prestressed concrete highway bridges.”PCI J., 11(3), 63–71.
109.
“The use of structural steel buildings, Part 2.” (1969). BS449. British Standard Institution, London, England.
110.
Vanderplaats, G. N. (1984). Numerical optimization techniques for engineering design with applications. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, N.Y.
111.
Yu, C. H., Das Gupta, N. C., and Paul, H.(1986). “Optimization of prestressed concrete bridge girders.”Engrg. Optimization, 10(1), 13–24.
112.
Zielinski, Z. A., Long, W., and Troitsky, M. S.(1995). “Designing reinforced concrete short-tied columns using the optimization technique.”ACI Struct. J., 92(5), 619–626.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 124 • Issue 5 • May 1998
Pages: 570 - 578
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: May 1, 1998
Published in print: May 1998
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.