Shape optimization of concrete arch dams considering abutment stability

A novel and robust approach is proposed to nd the optimum shape of concretearch dams located on any unsymmetrical shape of a valley. the approach is capable ofnding the optimum shape for any given valley type in suitable time, based on abutmentstability analysis, against thrust forces from an arch dam. the behavior and stabilityof a concrete arch dam is strongly dependent on the bedrock on which the dam rests.the stability of the abutment is considered a constraint in the proposed approach. inaddition, a new objective function is introduced to decrease the nal volume of the archdam. furthermore, a computer program was developed, which takes the eect of the damfoundation system into consideration, and can model most loads applicable to arch dams.the optimization problem is solved via both particle swarm optimization (pso) andclassical methods. several practical factors have been considered to make the approachmore feasible and eective in practical projects. the results show the eciency of theproposed method and the nal shape satises all constraints.