• CHIKUMBUSO LUNGU
• Dr. Michael N. Mulenga

A study to demonstrate the positive outcome of incorporating optimization techniques in the design procedure for designing steel-concrete composite bridges was conducted. Optimization algorithms have the capability of finding optimal or near optimal solutions in complex problems. In order to accomplish this task, a software known as COMPOPT, was developed in C# programming language to optimize composite bridge designs based on a classical method of optimization known as ‘direct search’. The software output was then compared to structural designs that would be obtained through the typical ‘traditional’ design procedure. Traditional design procedure is a term in this study that alludes to normal procedure of design that practicing structural engineers follow in the design process, including use of design aids such as structural analysis and design software like Prokon and Robot. In summary, the output structural designs from the developed C# application were compared to typical structural designs from selected practicing structural engineers in Zambia. The results showed that the design output from COMPOPT performed better than the typical designs on several key parameters.

"Paper Optimization in the Design of Steel-Concrete Bridges-COMPOPT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 9, page no.d561-d572, September-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2209368.pdf

"Paper Optimization in the Design of Steel-Concrete Bridges-COMPOPT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 9, page no. ppd561-d572, September-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2209368.pdf