Structural Cost Optimization Techniques for High-rise Buildings Frame Systems Using High-strength Steels

Use of high-strength steel members in building of high-rise buildings and large scale structures is expected to increase the effectiveness of structural design by reducing the weight and cost of structures. So far, high-strength steel members have been used in a very limited way because it is hard to select the proper strengths of steel members in a systematic way with the consideration of the structural cost. In this paper, therefore, a structural optimization technique based on Genetic algorithm is developed for effective use of high-strength steel members in structural design of high-rise buildings with the form of building frame system. The stability and efficiency of the technique is evaluated by using to a 35-story building. As a result, a stable and reliable optimal solution was obtained with a difference of 2.63% between individual and mean optimal structural costs.