Design Automation of Concrete Slab Bridges and its Application on Set-based Structural Design

Abstract: The presented thesis describes the development of an automation design procedure for structural design of concrete slab bridges and how it can be used to conduct a set-based structural design. The automation procedure integrated finite element modelling, analysis and structural related verification (verifications in geometry, ULS and SLS) together and realised automatic implementation of the two processes. By employing the automation design procedure and the set-based design methodology, a case study is performed based on an existed bridge. In contrast with a traditional point-based design process, the set-based structural design considers a wide range of possible design solutions, called design space, which are combinations of possible choices of different design parameters. In the case study, the design parameters like structural dimensions and reinforcement layout are considered and constitutes the design space. The design space is first narrowed by structural related constraints and further narrowed by multiple criteria which are material cost, material mass and global warming impact (equivalent CO2 emission) until reaching an optimal solution considering the three criteria. The results of the case study reveal the potential of set-based design by using the automation design procedure in obtaining optimal design solutions on the three mentioned criteria. Meanwhile, a rough time estimation shows the automatic procedure helps improve the design efficiency. It also suggests that the evaluation and decision of the finally chosen solution should be the trade-offs between material cost and environmental impact.