Application of Genetic Programming for Determination of Moment Coefficients for Stiffened and Unstiffened Skew Slabs

Abstract

Skew slabs possess a broad range of applications due to severe space constraint in the congested urban localities, due to space limitations or due to architectural constraints. Bending moment coefficients and plans for skew slab by Indian Road Congress becomes irrelevant for design and analysis of bridges with some random skew angle, available guidelines are applicable only for standard skew angle with selective span. The designer has no alternative left instead of choosing one on suggested skew slab, which is closer to actual angle of skew desired at site or to change geometry of road project. Even the equations developed so far to find moment coefficients are so laborious, arduous and comprehensive that it is non-viable and unfeasible them to press into service. As to employ these equations is itself cumbersome task, a soft computing technique of Genetic Programming (GP) is applied to obtain the equations for prediction of moment coefficients for skew slab for different support conditions based on available data with reasonable and acceptable accuracy. This paper presents an improved formulation to predict the moment coefficients of laterally loaded reinforced concrete (RC) skew slabs. A working example is also presented to demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the simplified approach presented therein. Equations developed are short, meaningful and utilitarian.