Genetic Algorithm for Optimal Placement of Steel Plate Shear Walls for Steel Frames

Frame structures equipped with steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) have been widely used in high-rise buildings due to their good seismic performance. In this study, the strip model and combined were analyze performance of SPSWs. Furthermore, an improved genetic algorithm (IGA) was established optimize frame for 5, 10, 20 stories. For each layer, layout optimization conducted determine best configurations SPSWs, two cases size optimizations conventional SPSW conducted. Results indicate following: (i) total weight five-story configuration approximately 10% lighter than those configurations, proportion gap expanded 15–25% 10-story 20-story frames; (ii) could be significantly reduced if average percentages story resisted by web plates are increased; (iii) optimization, structural elements, especially better utilized when inter-story drift ratios met specification requirements. These results highlight prominent performances some important indicators design system optimized using IGA.