Milaji, A. et al: Optimal structural ...... Archives for Technical Sciences 2013, 9(1), 53-60 Technical Institute Bijeljina, Archives for Technical Sciences, Year V – N 0 9. 53 Review paper UDC: 624.012.45.04 DOI: 10.7251/afts.2013.0509.053M OPTIMAL STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES – REVIEW OF EXISTING SOLUTIONS CONSIDERING APPLICABILITY ASPECT Milaji Aleksandar 1 , Pejii Goran 2 , Beljakovi Dejan 3 1,3 Faculty of Construction Management, University UNION, Belgrade E-mail: aleksandar.milajic@gmail.com 2 European University, Brcko ABSTRACT During the past two decades, rapid advances in information technology have improved the accuracy and capabilities of optimization techniques. Unfortunately, great number of optimization methods in civil engineering has not found implementation in practice, mainly because the problems were treated only from mathematical point of view, disregarding applicability of obtained solutions in reality. Since the aim of any optimization method is developing methodology that would successfully imitate human reasoning, it is necessary to develop adequate approach that would obtain realistic and applicable solutions. This paper provides basic facts of the optimal reinforced structures design, problem classification, mathematic definition and applicability aspect, as well as preview of methods and references available in the literature. Key words: structural design, reinforced concrete structures, optimization, applicability INTRODUCTION Common practise in structural design of the reinforced concrete structures includes determining cross- sectional dimensions and reinforcement that would meet the requirements proscribed by a given code of practise considering primarily strength and serviceability, as well as other imposed demands that result from the environment, architectural requirements etc. If the requirements are not met, than the cross-sectional dimensions and/or amount of the reinforcement have to be iteratively modified until all the required criteria are satisfied. In engineering practise, i.e. in reality, this iterative process is usually carried out without deeper consideration of prices of concrete, steel, formwork and human labour. Therefore, it is obvious that the practicing engineers need an efficient designing method that would give results which would be not only satisfying considering given legal standards but also considering optimality criteria. The search for an effective and applicable method for optimal design of the concrete structures is not a new subject, but the most of developed applications and procedures were aimed at finding optimum (minimal) weight of a structure, although decision making process is usually, if not always, aimed at minimal price. Material and labour costs are important issues in design and construction of the reinforced concrete structures, as well as the applicability of obtained solution in practice, i.e. at the building site.