Genetic Algorithm approach in the prevention of torsional irregularity in reinforced concrete structures

Abstract

Optimum design of reinforced concrete buildings in terms of performance under earthquake loads is among the fundamental issues of structural engineering. The main purpose of this study is to obtain the optimum design of plan irregularity RC buildings in terms of their performance under static and dynamic loading. Torsional irregularity in RC structures is usually caused by the unsymmetrical form of the plan geometry or the stiffness distribution of the vertical elements. Structural optimization techniques solve this problem by efficiently distributing structural elements throughout the structure to eliminate torsional irregularity in each floor layout. Different discrete mathematical models of 3D multi storey buildings were used for this study which is computationally efficient in solving such type of optimization problems. It is clearly observed that the results are changed considerably with the applying sizing optimization. The Turkish Earthquake Code TEC-2007 is used to analyse buildings and as constraint. ETABS® program is used for analysis of 3D structural. The sizing optimization problem was formulated and implemented using MATLAB® by employing Genetic Algorithm method. The design variables consist of the columns and shear walls of the building in each storey layout.