Optimum design of geotechnical structures using coupled finite element-optimization technique

摘要

The optimum design of geotechnical structures using coupled finite element and optimization analysis is presented here. The finite element method has been used to analyse the response of the structures. The optimization problem is solved using the Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) method. In order to interact the optimization and the analysis modules, the design sensitivity analysis and the constraint approximations were adopted as the interface modules. The coupled finite element method and optimization technique applied to pile foundations subjected to dynamic loading is presented. The cost or the volume of the foundation is selected as the objective function while the dimensions, the depth of embedment, the length of the pile and the pile spacing are selected as the design variables. The results of the numerical example show that structures can be designed economically and effectively using the proposed method.