VTOP — an improved software for design optimization of prestressed concrete beams

Abstract

Optimum tendon layout of prefabricated prestressed concrete beams was an early application of design optimization methodologies. However, most of the approaches found in the literature were not suitable to be implemented in real life bridge engineering. To fill the existing gap research has been conducted in past years by the authors to optimize prefabricated concrete beams formulating the problem in such a way that could be applied directly by bridge designers in beam and slab bridge decks. The software produced, labelled VTOP, contains the necessary capabilities for daily applications and possesses a user friendly graphical interface. This paper describes the problem formulation carried out and includes several examples to show the efficiency of the computer code implemented. Some of them are examples of single prefabricated concrete beams, and also an example showing the overall analysis of a bridge deck and the subsequent optimization of the prefabricated beam subjected to the internal forces produced by the external loading is included in the paper.

A fuzzy adaptive metaheuristic algorithm for identifying sustainable, economical, and earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete cantilever retaining walls

“…exact methods) and metaheuristic optimization methods. Classical methods attempt to calculate optimal solutions via iterative linear or constrained nonlinear programming techniques in a deterministic way [4][5][6][7][8][9]. As an alternative, metaheuristics with inherent stochastic and evolutionary search features have gained wide attention to leave more room for uncertainty levels in modelling optimization problems with design variables [10][11][12].…”

Heuristics in optimal detailed design of precast road bridges

“…Despite the aforementioned research works, there is still limited knowledge on the optimization of prestressed concrete (PC) bridge structures. Hassanain and Loov [24] reviewed research on cost optimization of concrete bridge structures; nevertheless, as Hernandez et al [25] have noted, most approaches for PC bridges found in the literature are not suitable for application in real-life engineering.…”

Cost and CO2 emission optimization of precast–prestressed concrete U-beam road bridges by a hybrid glowworm swarm algorithm

“…PC beam optimization is a classical problem considered many years ago [25]; nevertheless, as Hernandez et al [26] have advised, most approaches for PC bridges found in the literature are not suitable for application in real life engineering. While there is little research on optimization of PC structures [27][28][29][30][31], the literature does include a number of studies on optimizing real-life reinforced concrete (RC) structures [32][33][34][35][36].…”