Genetic Algorithm for Cost Optimization of Different Multi-Tunnel Greenhouse Design Alternatives

Greenhouses are employed worldwide to protect crops from meteorological conditions as well as to control some plant production variables. As multi-tunnel structures are amongst the most used, in this article, we focus on cost optimization of both the steel structure and the concrete foundation of th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAgronomy (Basel) Vol. 12; no. 9; p. 2145
Main Authors Fernández-García, María S., Rodríguez-Robles, Desirée, Villar-García, José Ramón, Vidal-López, Pablo
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.09.2022
Subjects
Agricultural economics
Algorithms
Arches
Boundary conditions
Building codes
cylindrical foundation
Design
Design optimization
Drains
Galvanized steel
genetic algorithm
Genetic algorithms
Geometry
Greenhouses
Gutters
Load
Matrix methods
Optimization
Plant production
Plant protection
protected crop systems
Separation
Steel structures
structural analysis
Symmetry
Tunnels
Typology
Belgium
Spain
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Summary:Greenhouses are employed worldwide to protect crops from meteorological conditions as well as to control some plant production variables. As multi-tunnel structures are amongst the most used, in this article, we focus on cost optimization of both the steel structure and the concrete foundation of this greenhouse typology. Firstly, three structural alternatives composed of three tunnels and differentiated portal frames were dimensioned conforming to the European design of steel structures, namely, Eurocode 3; meanwhile, the foundation was calculated through a previously validated matrix method. Then, genetic algorithms were employed to optimize for cost each proposed design and to evaluate the relative weight of each element in the overall steel consumption. Moreover, the influence of the greenhouse design on the final cost was also assessed, and it was found that the most cost-effective solution corresponded to the optimized greenhouse alternative exhibiting a 3.5 m separation between portal frames and the combination of a steel profile and plastic gutter (i.e., M3OPT at 15.14 €/m2). Finally, from the study on the influence of the portal frame separation, a further cost per square meter reduction was found for a design with the so-called structural gutter (i.e., steel profile and plastic water collection system) as support for the arches and a 4.5 m separation at 14.21 €/m2.
ISSN:2073-4395
2073-4395
DOI:10.3390/agronomy12092145