Optimization in the structural design of composite deck bridges.

The study aimed at demonstrating the positive outcome of incorporating optimization
techniques in the design procedure for designing steel-concrete composite bridges was
conducted. Optimization algorithms have the capability of finding optimal or near optimal
solutions in complex problems. In order to accomplish this task, a software known as
COMPOPT, was developed in C# programming language to optimize composite bridge
designs based on a classical method of optimization known as ‘direct search’. The
software output was then compared to structural designs that would be obtained through
the typical ‘traditional’ design procedure. Traditional design procedure is a term in this
study that alludes to normal procedure of design that practicing structural engineers
follow in the design process, including use of design aids such as structural analysis and
design software like Prokon and Robot. In summary, the output structural designs from
the developed C# application were compared to typical structural designs from selected
practicing structural engineers in Zambia. The results showed that the design output from
COMPOPT performed better than the typical designs on several key parameters.
Keywords: Optimization Techniques; Direct search method; Steel-Concrete Composite
Bridges; Bridge Optimization; COMPOPT