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Bridges constitute an expensive segment of construction projects; the optimization of their designs will affect their high cost. Segmental precast concrete bridges are one of the most commonly serviced bridges built for mid and long spans. Genetic algorithm is one of the most widely applied meta-heuristic algorithms due to its ability in optimizing cost. Next to providing cost optimization of these bridge types, the effects of each one of the main three selections, crossover and mutation operators are assessed, and the best operator is determined through the Taguchi experimental design. To validate the functionality of this algorithm, a bridge constructed in the city of Isfahan, Iran (completed in 2017) is optimized, a total of 13% reduction in cost and weight of its superstructure is evident. The efficiency of applying the Taguchi method in determining the type of operators of the genetic algorithm is proved.

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Meta-heuristic algorithms are applied in optimization problems in a variety of fields, including engineering, economics, and computer science. In this paper, seven population-based meta-heuristic algorithms are employed for size and geometry optimization of truss structures. These algorithms consist of the Artificial Bee Colony algorithm, Cyclical Parthenogenesis Algorithm, Cuckoo Search algorithm, Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization algorithm, Vibrating Particles System algorithm, Water Evaporation Optimization, and a hybridized ABC-TLBO algorithm. The Taguchi method is employed to tune the parameters of the meta-heuristics. Optimization aims to minimize the weight of truss structures while satisfying some constraints on their natural frequencies. The capability and robustness of the algorithms is investigated through four well-known benchmark truss structure examples.