In general the optimization techniques enable designers to find the best economical design for the structure under consideration. In this work Cost Minimization of RC structure using optimization techniques such as fmincon SQP algorithm is presented. The cost of Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures is influenced by several cost items including the cost of concrete and reinforcement. Therefore in case of RC structures, the minimum weight design is not necessarily the same as the minimum cost design. In fact, for RC structures the optimum cost design is a compromise between the consumption of concrete, reinforcement which minimizes the total cost of the structure and satisfies the design requirements. The structure is designed economically without impairing the functional purposes of the structural elements is supposed to serve and not violating provisions given in IS456-2000,IS 2911 (part I)-2010 and IS 3370-2009 using the cross-sectional dimensions and area of longitudinal steel as design variables. An fmincon solver is incorporated with a cost function and constraint function as an alternative to traditional methods for cost optimization of RC elements. An fmincon SQP Algorithm Program has been developed for the cost optimization of reinforced concrete structure using MATLAB software. In order to validate the working of algorithm and to prove its efficiency simple problems like singly reinforced beam and axially loaded column have been solved and the results were studied. Then Optimization of Elevated Circular water Tank is started by varying the D/H ratio of tank portion. Finally Design Curves were prepared for various capacities of tank vs. Optimum D/H Ratio. In future the optimum D/H ratio for intermediate capacities may be interpolated from design curves.
