CO2 Emission and Cost Optimization of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular (CFST) Columns Using Metaheuristic Algorithms

Optimization and Predictive Modeling of Reinforced Concrete Circular Columns

Metaheuristic optimization techniques are widely applied in the optimal design of structural members. This paper presents the application of the harmony search algorithm to the optimal dimensioning of reinforced concrete circular columns. For the objective of optimization, the total cost of steel and concrete associated with the construction process were selected. The selected variables of optimization include the diameter of the column, the total cross-sectional area of steel, the unit costs of steel and concrete used in the construction, the total length of the column, and applied axial force and the bending moment acting on the column. By using the minimum allowable dimensions as the constraints of optimization, 3125 different data samples were generated where each data sample is an optimal design configuration. Based on the generated dataset, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) algorithm was applied in combination with ensemble learning predictive models to determine the impact of each design variable on the model predictions. The relationships between the design variables and the objective function were visualized using the design of experiments methodology. Applying state-of-the-art statistical accuracy measures such as the coefficient of determination, the predictive models were demonstrated to be highly accurate. The current study demonstrates a novel technique for generating large datasets for the development of data-driven machine learning models. This new methodology can enhance the availability of large datasets, thereby facilitating the application of high-performance machine learning predictive models for optimal structural design.

Optimal Dimensioning of Retaining Walls Using Explainable Ensemble Learning Algorithms

This paper develops predictive models for optimal dimensions that minimize the construction cost associated with reinforced concrete retaining walls. Random Forest, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Categorical Gradient Boosting (CatBoost), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) algorithms were applied to obtain the predictive models. Predictive models were trained using a comprehensive dataset, which was generated using the Harmony Search (HS) algorithm. Each data sample in this database consists of a unique combination of the soil density, friction angle, ultimate bearing pressure, surcharge, the unit cost of concrete, and six different dimensions that describe an optimal retaining wall geometry. The influence of these design features on the optimal dimensioning and their interdependence are explained and visualized using the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) algorithm. The prediction accuracy of the used ensemble learning methods is evaluated with different metrics of accuracy such as the coefficient of determination, root mean square error, and mean absolute error. Comparing predicted and actual optimal dimensions on a test set showed that an R2 score of 0.99 could be achieved. In terms of computational speed, the LightGBM algorithm was found to be the fastest, with an average execution speed of 6.17 s for the training and testing of the model. On the other hand, the highest accuracy could be achieved by the CatBoost algorithm. The availability of open-source machine learning algorithms and high-quality datasets makes it possible for designers to supplement traditional design procedures with newly developed machine learning techniques. The novel methodology proposed in this paper aims at producing larger datasets, thereby increasing the applicability and accuracy of machine learning algorithms in relation to optimal dimensioning of structures.

Interpretable Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict the Axial Capacity of FRP-Reinforced Concrete Columns

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) rebars are increasingly being used as an alternative to steel rebars in reinforced concrete (RC) members due to their excellent corrosion resistance capability and enhanced mechanical properties. Extensive research works have been performed in the last two decades to develop predictive models, codes, and guidelines to estimate the axial load-carrying capacity of FRP-RC columns. This study utilizes the power of artificial intelligence and develops an alternative approach to predict the axial capacity of FRP-RC columns more accurately using data-driven machine learning (ML) algorithms. A database of 117 tests of axially loaded FRP-RC columns is collected from the literature. The geometric and material properties, column shape and slenderness ratio, reinforcement details, and FRP types are used as the input variables, while the load-carrying capacity is used as the output response to develop the ML models. Furthermore, the input-output relationship of the ML model is explained through feature importance analysis and the SHapely Additive exPlanations (SHAP) approach. Eight ML models, namely, Kernel Ridge Regression, Lasso Regression, Support Vector Machine, Gradient Boosting Machine, Adaptive Boosting, Random Forest, Categorical Gradient Boosting, and Extreme Gradient Boosting, are used in this study for capacity prediction, and their relative performances are compared to identify the best-performing ML model. Finally, predictive equations are proposed using the harmony search optimization and the model interpretations obtained through the SHAP algorithm.

Optimum Design of Cylindrical Walls Using Ensemble Learning Methods

The optimum cost of the structure design is one of the major goals of structural engineers. The availability of large datasets with preoptimized structural configurations can facilitate the process of optimum design significantly. The current study uses a dataset of 7744 optimum design configurations for a cylindrical water tank. Each of them was obtained by using the harmony search algorithm. The database used contains unique combinations of height, radius, total cost, material unit cost, and corresponding wall thickness that minimize the total cost. It was used to create ensemble learning models such as Random Forest, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), and Categorical Gradient Boosting (CatBoost). Generated machine learning models were able to predict the optimum wall thickness corresponding to new data with high accuracy. Using SHapely Additive exPlanations (SHAP), the height of a cylindrical wall was found to have the greatest impact on the optimum wall thickness followed by radius and the ratio of concrete unit cost to steel unit cost.

Reduction of the Carbon Footprint of Precast Columns by Combining Normal and Light Aggregate Concrete

To reduce the global emission of CO2 from the building industry, researchers, architects and manufacturers must consider new ways of constructing precast concrete buildings. Modern concrete columns and walls are not optimized to the applied load, and there is potential to save material. By creating a stronger column core and a lightweight concrete cover, it is possible to reduce the carbon footprint. A method is proposed to calculate such eccentrically loaded columns of two or more materials. The analytical method is developed for straight columns and columns with Entasis. Production of curved Entasis columns is possible by using textile molds due to the low mold pressure from the light aggregate concrete. Two column types are load tested to confirm the method. The CO2 emission is calculated for some column examples, and it shows that an optimized column geometry often leads to a reduced carbon footprint compared to regular columns. The concept is especially efficient for slender columns. Furthermore, the external light aggregate concrete layer ensures protection against fire if high-strength concrete is applied as the column core.

CO2 Emission Optimization of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Rectangular Stub Columns Using Metaheuristic Algorithms

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns have been assiduously investigated experimentally and numerically due to the superior structural performance they exhibit. To obtain the best possible performance from CFST columns while reducing the environmental impact, the use of optimization algorithms is indispensable. Metaheuristic optimization techniques provide the designers of CFST members with a very efficient set of tools to obtain design combinations that perform well under external loading and have a low carbon footprint at the same time. That is why metaheuristic algorithms are more applicable in civil engineering due to their high efficiency. A large number of formulas for the prediction of the axial ultimate load-carrying capacity Nu of CFST columns are available in design codes. However, a limitation of the usage of these design formulas is that most of these formulas are only applicable for narrow ranges of design variables. In this study a newly developed set of equations with a wide range of applicability that calculates Nu in case of rectangular cross-sections is applied. In order to optimize the cross-sectional dimensions, two different metaheuristic algorithms are used, and their performances are compared. The reduction in CO2 emission is demonstrated as a function of cross-sectional dimensions while considering certain structural performance requirements. The outcome of the more recently developed social spider algorithm is compared to the outcome of the well-established harmony search technique. The objective of optimization was to minimize CO2 emissions associated with the fabrication of CFST stub columns. The effects of varying the wall thickness as well as the concrete compressive strength on CO2 emissions are visualized by using two different optimization techniques.