OPTIMAL DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMES USING BIG BANG-BIG CRUNCH ALGORITHM

In this paper a discrete Big Bang-Big Crunch algorithm is applied to optimal design of reinforced concrete planar frames under the gravity and lateral loads. Optimization is based on ACI 318-08 code. Columns are assumed to resist axial loads and bending moments, while beams resist only bending moments. Second-order effects are also considered for the compression members, and columns are checked for their slenderness and their end moments are magnified when necessary. The main aim of the BB-BC process is to minimize the cost of material and construction of the reinforced concrete frames under the applied loads such that the strength requirements of the ACI 318 code are fulfilled. In the process of optimization, the cost per unit length of the sections is used for the formation of the subsequent generation. Three bending frames are optimized using BB-BC and the results are compared to those of the genetic algorithm.