Design optimization of concrete gravity dams using grasshopper optimization algorithm

Abstract

The efficiency and sustainability of dams can be significantly improved by structural optimization during the design process. This study aims to optimize geometric dimensions and minimize the concrete volume of three benchmark Concrete Gravity Dams (CGDs) including Pine-Flat, Middle-Fork, and Richard dams subjected to seismic excitations by applying the Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA). Employing GOA effectively reduces the concrete volume, achieving reductions of 30.88% (399 m3), 12.5% (1705 m3), and 28.09% (241 m3) for Richard, Pine-Flat, and Middle-Fork dams, respectively. These findings highlight that Richard Dam exhibits the maximum optimization value while Pine-Flat Dam demonstrates minimum optimization value and greatest volume reduction due to its initially larger volume. The optimized dams reduce concrete volume, effectively meeting stability requirements and enhancing stability against applied forces. The Safety Factor against Overturning (SOF) improves from 1.62 to 2.23, and the Safety Factor against Sliding (SFF) increases from 1.31 to 1.48. As a result, the dams are more stable and secure against overturning and sliding. The study underscores the efficiency of the GOA in optimizing CGD design process, offering significant implications for cost savings and resource efficiency in dam construction. This study emphasizes the robustness of GOA as a powerful meta-heuristic algorithm and its high potential for application in various optimization scenarios in structural engineering, and it recommends GOA as a highly effective tool for the optimal design of CGDs.