Optimum design of retaining structures by using heuristic methods

In this thesis study, the optimum designs of retaining structures and laterally loaded single pile and pile group have been investigated by using harmony search and artificial bee colony optimization algorithms. In addition, parametric studies of these soil-structure systems were carried out using the statistical-based Taguchi method. Three different types of cantilever retaining walls and single-row anchored shoring system were taken into consideration as the retaining structures. For the stability controls of optimum designs, mathematical models were developed by using statistical methods and verification analyzes of the developed mathematical models were performed. In designs of cantilever retaining walls, optimum designs giving minimum safety factors of sliding, overturning and slope stability were obtained for different values of wall height and angle of internal friction. In the single row anchorage retaining system, the optimum values of anchorage depth, anchorage force and embedding depth of retaining system were achieved according to different values of angle of internal friction and unit volume weight of soil. In optimum designs of laterally loaded piles, designs with a minimum weighted pile were investigated according to the specific displacement of the top tip of pile and number of soil standard penetration. As a result of all the analyzes, design graphics have been developed for different properties of soil and slope for the design of the retaining structures and horizontally loaded piles.