Impact of Connection Types on Metaheuristic-Based Optimum Design of 3D Steel Buildings with RC Shear Core

Abstract

This study examines the impact of connection types between a beam and a column, as well as between a beam and a shear core, on the optimal design of 3D steel buildings with reinforced concrete (RC) shear cores. Three metaheuristic algorithms, Adaptive Harmony Search (AHS), Biogeography-Based Optimization with Levy Flight (LFBBO), and Dandelion Optimizer (DO), were implemented to minimize the total weight of the steel frame while incorporating geometric constraints. RC shear core dimensions were treated as fixed due to elevator design considerations. The effectiveness of these algorithms was evaluated using two mid-rise steel building models with 20 and 30 stories, with a focus on the impact of varying connection configurations. Results indicate that LFBBO consistently produced the lightest designs. It is noticed that connection types significantly affect the optimum designs. In the 20-story models, the increase in the proportion of hinged beam connections led to a decrease in the optimum steel weight. Conversely, in the 30-story models, more hinged connections resulted in increased weight. Column-to-column (CtoC) and inter-story drift (ISD) constraints dominated the optimum designs in all models. It is necessary to account for connection types and structural drift when designing steel buildings with shear cores.