Charged system search for optimum grillage system design using the LRFD-AISC code

Abstract

Grillage systems are widely used in structures to cover large areas in bridge decks, ship hulls and floors. In this paper, the charged system search (CSS) algorithm is utilized to obtain the optimum design of grillage systems. This algorithm is inspired by the Coulomb and Gauss laws of electrostatics in physics and the governing laws of motion from Newtonian mechanics. The cross-sectional properties of beams are considered as the design variables. Comparison of the results with those of some previous studies shows the robustness of the new algorithm. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.