Determination of optimum cross-section of earth dams using ant colony optimization algorithm

Document Type : Article

Authors

1 Department of Civil Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), Tehran, P.O. Box 19537-14476, Iran.

Abstract

 Earth Dams are one of the most important and expensive civil engineering structures to which a considerable amount of budget is allocated. Their construction costs are mainly related to the size of embankments, which in turn depends on their cross section area. Therefore, reductions in cross section areas of earth dams would cause decreases in embankment volumes leading to a significant reduction in the construction cost of these structures. On the other hand, it is almost impossible to obtain optimum cross section in earth dams with desired stability and acceptable operational dimensions using traditional design methods. In this paper, ant colony optimization algorithm (ACO), a well-known and powerful metaheuristic method used to tackle problems in geotechnical engineering, was used to solve this complicated problem. The results showed that applying ideal and optimum slope and berm arrangements resulted from ACO in designing embankments and earth dams with different heights could lead to decreases in embankment volumes compared to those without any berms or those with berms resulting from usual designs with trial and error.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

References:
1. Dorigo, M. and Stutzle, T. "Ant colony optimization", In Ant Colony Optimization, 1th Edn., pp. 1-65, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, USA (2004).
2. Baker, R. and Garber, M. "Theoretical analysis of the stability of slopes", Geotechnique, 28(4), pp. 341-395 (1978).
3. Luceno, A. and Castillo, E. "Evaluation of variational methods in slope analysis", First International Symposium on Landslides, Meerut: Sarita Prakashan, 1, pp. 255-258 (1980).
4. Celestino, T.B. and Duncan, J.M. "Simplified search for non-circular slip Surface", 10th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Stockholm, Sweden, pp. 391-394 (1981).
5. Li, K.S. and White, W. "Rapid evaluation of the critical slip surface in slope stability problems", Int. J. Numer. Anal. Meth. Geomech., 11, pp. 440-473 (1987).
6. Baker, R. "Determination of critical slip surface in slope stability computations", Int. J. Numer. Anal. Meth. Geomech., 4(4), pp. 333-359 (1980).
7. Spence, E.E. "A method of the analysis of the stability of embankments assuming parallel inter-slice forces", Geotechnique, 17, pp. 11-26 (1967).
8. Denatale, J.S. "Rapid identification of critical slip surface: structure", J. Geotech. Eng. ASCE, 117(10), pp. 1568-1589 (1991).
9. Nguyen, V.U. "Determination of critical slope failure surfaces", J. Geotech. Eng. ASCE, 111(2), pp. 238-250 (1985).
10. Chen, Z.Y. and Shao, C.M. "Evaluation of minimum factor of safety in slope stability analysis", Can. Geotech. J., 25(4), pp. 735-748 (1988).
11. Cheng, Y.M., Li, L., and Chi, S.C. "Performance studies on six heuristic global optimization methods in the location of critical slip surface", Computer and Geotechnics, 34(6), pp. 462-484 (2007).
12. Greco, V.R. "Efficient Monte Carlo technique for locating critical slip surface", J. Geotech. Eng. ASCE, 122(7), pp. 517-525 (1996).
13. Malkawi, A.I.H., Hassan, W.F., and Sarma, S.K. "Global search method for locating general slip surface using Monte Carlo techniques", J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 127(8), pp. 688-698 (2001).
14. Malkawi, H., Hassan, W.F., and Sarma, S.K. "An efficient search method for finding critical circular slip surface using Monte Carlo techniques", 27, pp. 145- 151 (1991).
15. Mathada, V.S., Venkatachalam, G., and Srividya, A. "Slope stability assessment - comparison of probabilistic, possibilistic and hybrid approaches", Int. J. Performability Eng., 3(4), pp. 11-21 (2007).
16. Rubio, E., Hall, J.W., and Anderson, M.G. "Uncertainty analysis in slope hydrology and stability model using probabilistic and imprecise information", Comput. Geotechnics, 31(7), pp. 529-536 (2004).
17. Giasi, C.J., Masi, P., and Cherubini, C. "Probabilistic and fuzzy reliability analysis of sample slope near Aliano", Eng. GeoI, 67(3), pp. 391-402 (2003).
18. Krikpatrick, S., Gelatt, C.D., and Vecchi, M.P.  Optimization by simulated annealing", Science, 220(4598), pp. 67-180 (1983).
19. Cheng, Y.M. "Locations of critical failure surface and some further studies on slope stability analysis", Comput. Geotechnics, 30(7), pp. 255-267 (2003).
20. Holland, J. "Adoption in natural and artificial systems", In Genetic Algorithm, 2th Edn., p. 211, University of Michigan Press, Michigan, USA (1975).
21. Zolfaghari, A.R., Heath, A.C., and McCombie, P.E. "Simple genetic algorithm search for critical noncircular", Computer and Geotechnics, 32(3), pp. 139- 152 (2005).
22. McCombie, P. and Wilkinson, P. "The use of the simple genetic algorithm in finding the critical factor of safety in slope stability analysis", Comput Geotech, 29(8), pp. 699-714 (2002).
23. Sengupta, A. and Upadhyay, A. "Locating the critical failure surface in a slope stability analysis by genetic algorithm", Appl. Soft. Comput., 9(1), pp. 387-392 (2009).
24. Kennedy, J. and Eberhart, R. "Particle swarm optimization", IEEE International Conference on Neural Networks, Perth, Australia, pp. 1942-1948 (1995).
25. Cheng, Y.M., Li, L., and Li, S.C. "Particle swarm optimization algorithm for location of critical noncircular failure surface in two-dimensional slope stability analysis", Comput. Geotech., 34(2), pp. 92-103 (2007).
26. Cheng, Y.M., Liang, L., Chi, S.C., and Wei, W.B. "Determination of critical slip surface using artificial fish swarm algorithm", J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., ASCE, 134, pp. 244-251 (2008).
27. Geem, Z.W., Kim, J.H., and Loganathan, G.V. "Harmony search", Simulation, 76(2), pp. 60-68 (2001).
28. Lee, K.S. and Geem, Z.W. "A new meta-heuristic algorithm for continuous engineering optimization. Harmony search theory and practice", Computer Meth. Appl. Mech. Eng., 194(36-38), pp. 3902-3933 (2005).
29. Glover, F. "Tabu search: Part I", Orsa. J. Comput., 1(3), pp. 190-206 (1989).
30. Bolton, H.P.J., Heymann, G., and Groenwold, A. "Global search for critical failure surface in slope stability analysis", Eng. Optimiz., 35(1), pp. 51-65 (2003).
31. Kahatadeniya, K.S., Nanakorn, P., and Neaupane, K.M. "Determination of the critical failure surface for slope stability analysis using ant colony optimization", Engineering Geology, 108(1-2), pp. 133-141 (2009).
32. Rezaeean, A., Noorzad, R., and Khozein, A. "Ant colony optimization for locating the critical failure surface in slope stability analysis", World Applied Sciences, 13(7), pp. 1702-1711 (2011).
33. Kashani, A.R., Gandomi, A.H., and Mousavi, M. "Imperialistic competitive algorithm: A metaheuristic algorithm for locating the critical slip surface in 2- dimensional soil slopes", Geoscience Frontiers, 7(1), pp. 83-89 (2016).
34. Kang, F., Li, J., and Ma, Z. "An artificial bee colony algorithm for locating the critical slip surface in slope stability analysis", Engineering Optimization, 45(2), pp. 207-223 (2013).
35. Kang, F., Xu, Q., and Li, J. "Slope reliability analysis using surrogate models via new support vector machines with swarm intelligence ", Applied Mathematical Modelling, 40(11), pp. 6105-6120 (2016).
36. Kang, F., Li, J.S., and Li, J.J. "System reliability analysis of slopes using least squares support vector machines with particle swarm optimization", Neurocomputing, 209, pp. 46-56 (2016).
37. Kaveh, A. and Zakian, P. "Stability based optimum design of concrete gravity dam using CSS, CBO and ECBO algorithms", International Journal of Optimization in Civil Engineering, 5(4), pp. 419-431 (2015).
38. Deepika, R. and Suribabu, C.R. "Optimal design of gravity dam using differential evolution algorithm", International Journal of Optimization in Civil Engineering, 5(3), pp. 255-266 (2015).
39. Kaveh, A. and Mahdavi, V.R. "Shape optimization of arch dams under earthquake loading using metaheuristic algorithms", KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 17(7), pp. 1690-1699 (2013).
40. Kaveh, A. and Gaffarian, R. "Shape optimization of arch dams with frequency constraints by enhanced charged system search algorithm and neural network", International Journal of Civil Engineering, 13(1), pp. 102-111 (2015).
41. Talatahari, S., Aalami, M.T., and Parsivash, R. "Optimum design of double curvature arch dams using a quick hybrid charged system search algorithm", International Journal of Optimization in Civil Engineering, 6(2), pp. 102-111 (2016).
42. Ponterosso, P. and Fox, D.S.J. "Optimization of reinforced soil embankments by genetic algorithm", International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 24(4), pp. 425-433 (2000).
43. Rezaeean, A., Mirzaei, A., and Khozein, A. "Optimization of embankment by ant colony optimization algorithm", Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 5(1), pp. 1863-1869 (2012).
44. Dorigo, M. "Optimization, learning and natural algorithms (in Italian)", PhD Thesis, Politecnica di Milano, Milan, Italy (1992).
45. Bullnheimer, B., Hartl, R.F., and Strauss, C. "A new rank base version of the ant system - a computational study", Technical Report, Institute of Management Science, University of Vienna, Austria (1997).
46. Bullenheimer, B., Hartl, R.F., and Strauss, C. "A new rank-based version of the ant system: a combinatorial study", Central European Journal for Operations Research and Economics, 7, pp. 25-38 (1999).
47. Stutzle, T. and Hoos, H.H. "Improving the ant system: a detailed report on the MAX-MIN ant system", Technical Report AIDA-96-12, Intellektik, FB Informatik, TU Darmstadt, Germany (1996).
48. Stutzle, T. and Hoos, H.H. "MAX-MIN ant system", Future Generation Comput. Sys., 16(9), pp. 889-914 (2000).
49. Stutzle, T. "Local search algorithms for combinatorial problems: analysis, improvements and new applications", Volume 220 of DISKI, Sankt Augustin, Germany, Infix (1999).
Scientia Iranica
Volume 26, Issue 3
Transactions on Civil Engineering (A)
May and June 2019
Pages 1104-1121

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics