An application of geometric programming to structural design

Abstract

This paper presents an application of generalised geometric programming to an optimal design of a modular floor system, which consists of reinforced solid concrete and voided slab units supported on steel beams. A function representing the cost of the floor system in terms of design variables, length, width and thickness of components, and other engineering and cost parameters is minimized subject to various constraints depending on stresses and deflections. A dual-based algorithm has been used for solving the design problem. Analyses are performed to determine the changes in the optimal values of the design variables with respect to the changes in imposed loads on the floor system.