Multiobjective Optimization of Prestressed Concrete Structures

Abstract

This paper presents a practical and efficient approach to the optimization of prestressed concrete structures if two or more (possibly conflicting) objectives must simultaneously be satisfied. The most relevant objective function is adopted as the primary criterion, and the other objective functions are transformed into constraints by imposing some lower and upper bounds on them. The single‐objective optimization problem is then solved by the projected Lagrangian algorithm. Two numerical examples illustrate the application of the approach to the design of a posttensioned floor slab and a pretensioned highway bridge system for two conflicting objectives: minimum cost and minimum initial camber. The Pareto optima achieve a compromise between the two conflicting objectives and represent more rational solutions than those obtained by independent optimizing each objective function.