Design of Reinforced Cantilever Retaining Walls using Heuristic Optimization Algorithms

This paper aims at automatic design and cost minimization of reinforced cantilever retaining walls (RCRW). The design requirements and geometrical constraints are imposed as design constraints in the analysis. 9 parameters are selected to define the structure and 25 constraints are established. Three heuristic algorithms, including genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO) and simulated annealing (SA) are presented to solve the constrained optimization model. The computation programs have been developed and validated by taking an example design. Results show that heuristic optimization algorithms can be effectively applied to cost minimization design of RCRW. It is found that no single algorithm outperforms other methods. With respect to effectiveness and efficiency, PSO is recommended to be used.