Optimum design of frame systems with heuristic algorithm techniques

Structural optimization is an important issue to focus on when considering today's conditions. The fact that there are many parameters while designing the structures has increased the importance of optimum design. The optimum design should support the factors of safety, cost, sustainability and aesthetics. When the literature is examined, many methods have been tried in order to obtain the optimal design. With the development of computer technologies in addition to classical methods, the use of artificial intelligence and heuristic algorithms has gradually increased. The thesis is on the section optimization design of steel frame systems. For this purpose, "the 2016 Design, Calculation and Construction Principles of Steel Structures" has been taken into account. With the code design created within the scope of the study, it is aimed that each element in the frame system selects from the section pool while providing the design constraints. As a design problem, a two-span, six-storey and thirty-element frame system and a three-span, ten-storey and seventy-element frame system were designed using the SAP2000 program. In addition, heuristic algorithms have been studied and the use of genetic algorithms has been focused on. The Open Application Programming Interface (OAPI) connection, which is the content of the SAP2000 program, and the facilities it provides help design a ready-made source model. Thus, in the VB.Net, SAP2000 OAPI connection was provided and the flow of system analysis data was provided. With the provided data flow, the genetic algorithm structure was adapted to the optimization algorithm software and analyzes were performed. As a result, the optimal cross sections and the mass-time graphs of the models used were obtained. The obtained results were compared with the SAP2000 program design menu results and the literature results, and the suitability of the method used was discussed.