Optimum design of reinforced concrete rectangular beams using simulated annealing

Abstract EN

This paper presents the application of Simulated Annealing optimization method (SA) for solving the problem of the optimum design of reinforced concrete beams based on the recommendations of American Building Code Requirements for structural concrete (ACI 318-05) and the ultimate strength design method.

Cost of concrete, cost of steel reinforcement and cost of formworks are considered.

The constraints of the problem included the concrete beam strength, width-height ratio, minimum width, and deflection constraints.

This optimization problem is implemented by constructing a computer program using Matlab.

A number of examples are solved using the developed program and proved that the produced design is economical ; also it is proved that the developed program is efficient and versatile.