Multi-Objective Harmony Search applied to minimize cost and displacement of steel-concrete composite beams

Resumo

During the design of structures, it is common for the engineer to come across situations in which different and conflicting objectives must be assessed, where the multi-objective or multicriteria optimization provides subsidies to assist in decision-making by designers. In this sense, this paper aims to present the cost and displacement minimization of steel-concrete composite beams, applying the Multi-objective Harmony Search (MOHS) algorithm. The steel-concrete beam is represented by nine design variables, namely the concrete strength of the slab, the slab thickness, the dimensions of the welded steel beam, and the interaction degree. Solutions are
verified in terms of ultimate and serviceability limit states according to Brazilian standards. With the optimization results, a Pareto front is generated, and the efficiency of the MOHS is evaluated from the comparison with results of another multiobjective optimization algorithm already consolidated in the literature, the Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II).