@phdthesis{Weitzmann2009,
  author    = {Weitzmann, R{\"u}diger},
  title     = {Theory and application of optimization strategies for the design of seismically excited structures},
  doi       = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.1406},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20091030-14917},
  school      = {Bauhaus-Universit{\"a}t Weimar},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {The study introduces into the theory and application of optimization strategies in earthquake engineering. The optimization algorithm substitutes the intuitive solution of practical problems done by the engineer in daily practice, providing automatic design tools and numerical means for further exploration of the design space for various extremum states. This requires a mathematical formulation of the design task, that is provided for typical seismic evaluations within this document. Utilizing the natural relation between design and optimization tasks, appropriate mechanical concepts are developed and discussed. The explanations start with an overview on the mechanical background for continua. Hereby the focus is placed on elasto-plastic structures. The given extremum formulations are treated with help of discretization methods in order to obtain optimization problems. These basics are utilized for derivation of programs for eigenvalue and stability analysis, that are applied in simplified linear analysis for the design of seismically excited structures. Another focus is set on the application in simplified nonlinear design, that uses limit state analyses on the basis of nonlinear problem formulations. Well known concepts as the response and pushover analysis are covered as well as alternative strategies on the basis of shakedown theory or cycle and deformation based evaluations. Furthermore, the study gives insight into the application of optimization problems in conjunction with nonlinear time history analyses. The solution of step-by-step procedures within optimization algorithms is shown and aspects of dynamic limit state analyses are discussed. For illustration of the great variety of optimization-based concepts in earthquake engineering, several specialized applications are presented, e.g. the generation of artificial ground motions and the determination of reduction coefficients for design spectrum reduction due to viscous and hysteretic damping. As well alternative strategies for the design of base isolated structures with controlled impact are presented. All presented applications are illustrated with help of various examples.},
  subject      = {Dynamik},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Higuchi2007,
  author    = {Higuchi, Shoko},
  title     = {Cost-Benefit Based Maintenance Optimization for Deteriorating Structures},
  doi       = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.1288},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20080513-13616},
  school      = {Bauhaus-Universit{\"a}t Weimar},
  year      = {2007},
  abstract  = {In recent years increasingly consideration has been given to the lifetime extension of existing structures. This is based on the fact that a growing percentage of civil infrastructure as well as buildings is threatened by obsolescence and that due to simple monetary reasons this can no longer be countered by simply re-building everything anew. Hence maintenance interventions are required which allow partial or complete structural rehabilitation. However, maintenance interventions have to be economically reasonable, that is, maintenance expenditures have to be outweighed by expected future benefits. Is this not the case, then indeed the structure is obsolete - at least in its current functional, economic, technical, or social configuration - and innovative alternatives have to be evaluated. An optimization formulation for planning maintenance interventions based on cost-benefit criteria is proposed herein. The underlying formulation is as follows: (a) between maintenance interventions structural deterioration is described as a random process; (b) maintenance interventions can take place anytime throughout lifetime and comprise the rehabilitation of all deterioration states above a certain minimum level; and (c) maintenance interventions are optimized by taking into account all expected life-cycle costs (construction, failure, inspection and state-dependent repair costs) as well as state- or time-dependent benefit rates. The optimization is performed by an evolutionary algorithm. The proposed approach also allows to determine optimal lifetimes and acceptable failure rates. Numerical examples demonstrate the importance of defining benefit rates explicitly. It is shown, that the optimal solution to maintenance interventions requires to take action before reaching the acceptable failure rate or the zero expected net benefit rate level. Deferring decisions with respect to maintenance not only results, in general, in higher losses, but also results in overly hazardous structures.},
  subject      = {Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse},
  language  = {en}
}