ANN Application in the Field of Structural Concrete

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) mechanisms are more and more frequently applied to all sorts of civil engineering problems. New methods and algorithms which allow civil engineers to use these techniques in a different way on diverse problems are available or being made available. One AI techniques stands out over the rest: Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Their most remarkable traits are their ability to learn, the possibility of generalization and their tolerance towards mistakes. These characteristics make their use viable and cost-efficient in any field in general, and in Structural Engineering in particular. The most extended construction material nowadays is concrete, mainly because of its high resistance and its adaptability to formwork during its fabrication process. Along this chapter we will find different applications of ANNs to structural concrete.