Minimum Cost Design Solution of Optimization Program in Steel Framework Design for Buildings

This paper explains the importance of fabrication cost in the structural design of steel frameworks for buildings, and proposes an evaluation method for the steel framework fabrication cost. The fabrication cost evaluation formula is incorporated into a discrete cross-section design optimization program that is based on a genetic algorithm. We then propose a minimum cost design that takes into consideration the fabrication cost. By applying the design optimization program to practical structural design, we showed that the minimum cost design solution is more adaptable than the minimum weight design solution for practical structural designs.