Cost optimization of composite floors using neural dynamics model

The design of composite beams is complicated and highly iterative. Depending on the design parameters a beam can be fully composite or partially composite. In the case of design on the basis of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) one has to consider the plastic deformations. As pointed out by Lorenz, the real advantage of the LRFD code can be realized in the minimum cost design. In this article, we present a general formulation for the cost optimization of composite beams based on the AISC LRFD specifications by including the costs of (a) concrete, (b) steel beam, and (c) shear studs. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer-discrete nonlinear programming problem and solved by the recently patented neural dynamics model of Adeli and Park (U.S. patent 5,815,394 issued on September 29, 1998). It is shown that use of the cost optimization algorithm presented in this article results in substantial cost savings.