Abstract: “This study aims at comparing the optimum design of two common types open web expanded beams: with hexagonal openings, also called castellated beams and beams with circular openings referred to as cellular beams. The minimum weights of both beams are taken as the objective functions while the design constraints are respectively implemented from The Steel Construction Institute Publication Numbers 5 and 100. The design methods adopted in these publications are consistent with BS5950 parts. The formulation of the design problem considering the limitations of the above mentioned turns out to be a discrete programming problem. Improved harmony search (IHS) algorithm is suggested to compare the optimum design of mentioned web-expanded beams to analysis the performance of both beams. The design algorithms based on the technique select the optimum Universal Beam sections, dimensional properties of hexagonal and circular holes and total number of openings along the beam as design variables.”

Keywords: structural optimization, web expanded beams, castellated beams, cellular beams, harmony search algorithm