Performance-Based Design Optimization of Container Cranes Using Buckling Restrained Braces

Abstract

To design container cranes with reliable performance levels under multiple seismic hazards, an approach is developed for performance-based design optimization (PBDO) of container cranes. First a simplified planar finite element model is built for container cranes. In order to mitigate the seismic responses, buckling restrained braces (BRB), instead of ordinary braces, are used in the model. Two performance criteria are considered and the deformations of structural elements are selected to define the performance criteria. The pattern search method is employed to efficiently solve the optimization task. The result indicates that the structural weight of container cranes can be remarkably reduced while satisfying multiple performance requirements. Conclusion can be drawn that the proposed approach is an efficient method for PBDO of container cranes.