APPLICATIONS OF MATLAB IN OPTIMIZATION OF BRIDGE SUPERSTRUCTURES

Rajesh F. Kale, N.G.Gore, P.J.Salunke

Abstract: Optimization is an act of obtaining the best results under given circumstances. In design, construction and maintenance of any engineering system engineers have to take many technological and managerial decisions at several stages. The ultimate aim of all such decisions is either to minimize the efforts required or to maximize the desired benefit. Optimization is a process of finding the conditions that give the maximum or minimum value of any function. Any engineering system or problem is defined by set of quantities and these quantities can be classified as design variables, constraints, and objective function. All these quantities collectively form a optimization problem and this problem can be solved with the help of MATLAB programming language. The optimization problem is characterized by having a combination of continuous, discrete and integer sets of design variables. MATLAB is a high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming. Using MATLAB we can analyse data, develop algorithms, and create models and applications. The language contains tools, and built-in math functions which enable us to explore multiple approaches and reach a solution faster than with spread sheets or traditional programming languages such as C, C++, java, Fortran etc. In this present study, cost optimization approach for various bridge superstructures is presented. The main objective function is to minimize the total cost in the design process of the bridge system considering the cost of materials. The cost of structural element covers cost of material and labor for reinforcement, concrete and formwork. Design constraints for the optimization are considered according to Standard Specifications for road bridges. The optimization process is done for different grades of concrete and steel. The comparative results for different grades of concrete and steel are presented in tabulated form.

Keywords: Bridge superstructure, MATLAB, Structural optimization

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2014.0305008