Optimum Design of Reinforced Concrete T-Beam Considering Environmental Factors via Flower Pollination Algorithm

Abstract

The minimum cost designs may be costly for the environment. In that case, the cost is not only a single objective in the design of structures. In that situation, CO2 emission minimization can be considered in the optimum design. In this study, reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams were optimized via flower pollination algorithm for the environmental factor minimizing the CO2 emission of the materials. The investigation was done for 4 cases of CO2 emission values and these cases were compared with 5 cases of the cost ratios of concrete and steel. Due to this investigation, it was found that CO2 emission optimization is effective in the reduction of the CO2 emission value by 4.5% compared to cost optimization. If the ratios of CO2 emission and the cost of steel per concrete are different, the optimum design variables and objectives are different. Also, the use of recycled steel is %.30.24 more effective on the reduction of CO2 emission and saving the planet.