Improving Bridge Expansion and Contraction Installation Replacement Decision System Using Hybrid Chaotic Whale Optimization Algorithm

Abstract

Bridge expansion and contraction installation (BECI) has proved to be an essential component of the bridge structure due to its stability, comfort, and durability benefits. At present, traditional replacement technologies for modular type, comb plate type, and seamless type BECIs are widely applied worldwide. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that the research conducted on decision-making (DM) approaches for the technical condition assessment and the optimal replacement plan selection of existing BECIs remain scarce, which results in the waste of resources and the increase in cost. Therefore, a BECI technical condition assessment approach, which contains specific on-site inspection regulations with both qualitative and quantitative descriptions, is proposed in this research, and a corresponding calculation program has been developed based on the MATLAB platform, which provides the basis for the necessity of replacement. Simultaneously, the hybrid chaotic whale optimization algorithm is designed and performed to improve and automate the process of optimal replacement plan selection under the assistance of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), where both the achievement in consistency modification and the reservation of initial information are perused, and its superiority and effectiveness are verified via the comparative experimental analysis. The improved BECI replacement decision system is established, and the corresponding case study demonstrates that the proposed system in this research proves reasonable and feasible. The improved system can effectively assist bridge managers in making more informed operation and maintenance (O and M) decisions in actual engineering projects.

Technology and Management Applied in Construction Engineering Projects

“…Due to the complexity of situations in which construction activity decisions are made, the decision-making process can be supported by different mathematical methods, systems, and models. Xu and Huang [11] proposed the multi-criteria model BECI technical condition assessment approach, which contains specific on-site inspection regulations with both qualitative and quantitative variables. The hybrid chaotic whale optimization algorithm (WOA) was designed and utilized to improve and automate the process of optimal replacement plan selection with the assistance of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP).…”

Stiffness Modification-Based Bayesian Finite Element Model Updating to Solve Coupling Effect of Structural Parameters: Formulations

“…Deterministic approaches only update the parameter of a single model using one set of measured data [8], yielding a unique solution. In the scope of deterministic approaches, swarm intelligence optimization methods have been widely used to seek the optimal parameters for structural damage identification-see, for example, the whale optimization algorithm and its variants [11][12][13], bat optimization algorithm and its modifications [14,15], particle swarm optimization [16,17], moth-flame optimization [18,19] and genetic algorithm [20,21]. However, civil engineering applications by deterministic approaches are still limited in practice due to the unavailability of uncertainties induced by measurement noise and modeling errors.…”