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Cost optimization of end‐plate connections
Author(s) -
Mela Kristo,
Hietaharju Lauri
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
ce/papers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2509-7075
DOI - 10.1002/cepa.1065
Subject(s) - stiffness , joint (building) , structural engineering , bending stiffness , bending moment , optimization problem , row , beam (structure) , minification , bending , moment (physics) , automation , engineering , computer science , mathematics , mechanical engineering , mathematical optimization , physics , classical mechanics , database
Minimum cost beam‐to‐column end‐plate joints are determined in this study. The goal is to achieve partial automation of the time‐consuming joint design. The premise is that the joint is to be designed for target bending moment and shear force resistance and initial rotational stiffness. It is assumed that the designer has prescribed the beam and column profiles and the initial rotational stiffness a priori. The joint design task is formulated as a mathematical optimization problem, where the total cost of the joint is minimized such that the resistance and stiffness requirements are satisfied. The component method described in the standard EN 1993‐1‐8 is used for evaluating the bending resistance and initial rotational stiffness of the joint. The end‐plate dimensions and bolt positions are taken as the design variables of the optimization problem. The number of bolt rows, bolt sizes and bolt strength are incorporated as parameters with fixed values during optimization. The applicability and performance of the proposed approach for joint cost minimization is demonstrated on case studies, with a comparison to an alternative procedure found in the literature. The results indicate that mathematical optimization provides a useful tool for design automation of steel joints.