Particle Swarm Optimization–Based Finite-Element Analyses and Designs of Shear Connector Distributions for Partial-Interaction Composite Beams

Particle swarm optimization–based finite-element (PSO-FE) method is introduced for the designs and analyses of the steel–concrete composite beams. After a brief explanation of the PSO-FE theory, the optimizations of shear connector distributions for the simply supported (SS) and continuous beams are carried out. An inverse calculation is firstly applied to determine the sensitivity range that is greatly varied by the shear connector stiffness. Then the patterns of shear connectors along the spans are tested for different scenarios. For an SS beam subjected to concentrated or uniformly distributed loads, the shear stiffness distributions in terms of the quadratic functions with optimized parameters could effectively reduce the interlayer slips and deflections compared with traditional uniform distributions. For a continuous composite beam after the optimization, the discrete shear connector distributions are designed in favor of real engineering construction and employed to explain the recently proposed uplift-restricted and slip-permitted connection at the negative-moment region. The PSO-FE method is thus demonstrated as an efficient and stable tool that can also be used for designs and optimizations in other aspects of composite structures.