Optimization of Maintenance and Repair Strategies for Concrete Bridges of North and Northeastern Railways 2 (Zirab-Gorgan Axis) by Multi Objective Particle Swarm Optimization

Todays, transportation is one of the main elements of economic prosperity in the world and railway is one of the most important methods of transportation in Iran and in the world, which the main reason of its utilization is the appropriate cost against the capability of a great mass of goods and a large number of passenger’s transportation. Population growth and development of economic relations have led to increase utilization of transportation infrastructures, especially railways. Our country is not an exception and knowing that the railway system is one of the oldest transportation arteries, it is in danger of amortization and destruction. Bridges, as the most important road and railway infrastructure, have the most vulnerable in utilization increase phenomena that some signs of vulnerability are seen in parts of the railway system in recent years, and set the authorities thinking. The important point is that if regular maintenance and retrofitting programs in order to increase the capacity of these bridges are not arranged, it will lead to irreparable consequences. In order to help Iran bridge management system with considering all above issues, the present study prioritizes the need for maintenance and also optimization of corrective actions of the bridges of Zirab – Gorgan part in Garmsar – Gorgan line of north and north-east 2 Islamic Republic of Iran railway by the study on them. To do that, the multi – objective particle swarm optimization Meta-heuristic algorithm is used for the optimization of corrective actions. Also considering the four scenarios to select the number of bridges under repair and 16 conditions of problem to be solved by the defined algorithm, the proper and optimized conditions is introduced in different scenarios and budgets to use in maintenance strategies and the most effectiveness achievement.