COMPARATIVE COSTS OF THE PRODUCTION, TRANSPORT AND ASSEMBLY STAGES OF PRESTRESSED PRECAST SLABS USING GENETIC ALGORITHMS

In the precast structures, optimization of structural elements is of great interest mainly due to a more rationalized way that elements are produced. There are several elements of precast prestressed concrete that are objects of study in optimization processes, as the prestressed joist applied in buildings slabs. This article inquires into cost minimization of continuous and simply supported slabs, formed by unialveolar beams and prestressed joist, using Genetic Algorithms (GAs). Comparative analyses of the final costs were made for these two precast elements, previously investigated in Castilho [1] and Castilho [2]. Furthermore, parcels of cost function were analyzed for the cases of prestressed joist and unialveolar beam, and the results show that the production stage of the element matches the largest part of the cost function. Also, although the prestressed joist is more economical, unialveolar beam reaches the market to compete with the other precast elements for slabs.