Multilevel multiobjective optimization in precast concrete wall panel design

In this paper, an optimization-based design model of precast concrete wall panels (PCWP) for a building facade is presented. The key concept is an integrated model that can concurrently handle all of the related design and construction disciplines in the decision making process. The integrated model is decomposed hierarchically into several subproblems, thus a multilevel multiobjective optimization problem is obtained. Besides the multilevel aspect, the model presented can also handle knowledge-based requiremens which are in general difficult to deal with by conventional hill-climbing optimization schemes. A solution procedure to solve this model is developed and applied to an example of PCWP for a four-story building facade.