Optimum Design of Composite Corrugated Web Beams Using Hunting Search Algorithm

Abstract

Over the past few years there has been sustainable development in the steel and composite construction technology. One of the recent additions to such developments is the I-girders with corrugated web beams. The use of these new generation beams results in a range of benefits, including flexible, free internal spaces and reduced foundation costs. Corrugated web beams are built-up girders with a thin-walled, corrugated web and wide plate flanges. The thin corrugated web affords a significant weight reduction of these beams, compared with hot-rolled or welded ones. In this paper, optimum design of corrugated composite beams is presented. A recent stochastic optimization algorithm coded that is based on hunting search is used for obtaining the solution of the design problem. In the optimization process, besides the thickness of concrete slab and studs, web height and thickness, distance between the peaks of the two curves, the width and thickness of flange are considered as design variables. The design constraints are respectively implemented from BS EN1993-1:2005 (Annex-D, Eurocode 3) BS-8110 and DIN 18-800 Teil-1. Furthermore, these selections are also carried out such that the design limitations are satisfied and the weight of the composite corrugated web beam is the minimum.