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In this article, an efficient methodology is presented to optimize the topology of structural systems under transient loads. Equivalent static loads concept is used to deal with transient loads and to solve an alternate quasi-static optimization problem. The maximum strain energy of the structure under the transient load during the loading interval is used as objective function. The objective function is calculated in each iteration and then the dynamic optimization problem is replaced by a static optimization problem, which is subsequently solved by a convex linearization approach combining linear and reciprocal approximation functions. The optimal layout of a deep beam subjected to transient loads is considered as a case study to verify the effectiveness of the presented methodology. Results indicate that the optimal layout is dependant of the loading interval.

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A new meta-heuristic algorithm is proposed for optimal design of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures subject to combinations of gravity and lateral static loads based on ACI 318-08 design code. In the present work, artificial bee colony algorithm (ABCA) is focused and an improved ABCA (IABCA) is proposed to achieve the optimization task. The total cost of the RC frames is minimized during the optimization process subject to constraints on demand capacity ratios (DCRs) of structural members. Three benchmark design examples are tested using ABCA and IABCA and the results are compared with those of presented in the literature. The numerical results indicate that the proposed IABCA is an efficient computational tool for discrete optimization of RC frames.