MINIMUM WEIGHT DESIGN OF COLD-FORMED STEEL BEAMS 31

Step 7: Assign the gradients of the violated constraint functions to the inhibitory connections from the
constraint layer to the variable layer. The weight of the connection from the jth constraint node to the ith
variable node is given by:

(3.36)

All gradients are calculated by the finite difference method.

Step 8: Calculate the input to the variable layer. For the ith node in the variable layer, the input is given
by:

(3.37)

Ivi is the direction of the steepest descent of the equivalent unconstrained optimization problem that reduces
Xi.
Step 9: Update the decision variables using the following learning rule:
(3.38)
The Euler method is used to evaluate the integral.
Step 10: Calculate the new value of the objective function, F(Xn+1).
If

(3.39)

stop. The current state vector, Xn+1, is the optimal solution of the problem. Otherwise, set and
update the penalty parameter using the expression (Adeli and Park, 1995b):
(3.40)
where is a real positive number. This function is chosen to avoid the possibility of numerical ill-
conditioning by gradually increasing the penalty with increasing iterations. Go to step 3.

3.6
APPLICATION OF THE MODEL
Three simply-supported example beams are used to test the developed neural network model for
optimization of cold-formed steel beams. They include hat, I, and Z-shaped beams designed according to
the AISIASD and the LRFD Specifications subjected to various loading conditions and having different
lateral bracing conditions. The following data have been used in all the examples: =Unit weight of
steel=77 MN/mm3 (0.2836 lb/in3); Fy=Yield stress=345 N/mm2 (50.8 ksi); E=Modulus of elasticity=203 kN/
mm2 (29.44103 ksi); a=Allowable maximum deflection= L/240; B=Length of bearing plate at reactions
and locations of concentrated loads=90 mm (3.54 in.); cf=Allowable amount of flange curling=6 mm (0.24
in.); r=Inner radius at corners of shape =8 mm (0.31 in.); =8 mm (0.31 in.). No lower limit is placed on
the thickness of the shapes. For the stopping criterion, and