Authors: Vishal Sahu, Sandeep Choudhary
Abstract: Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) buildings with floating columns are increasingly adopted in modern urban construction to achieve architectural flexibility, open parking spaces, and large column-free areas. However, the discontinuity introduced by floating columns significantly alters the load transfer mechanism and may adversely affect the structural durability and long-term performance of buildings, particularly under seismic and environmental loading conditions. Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) provide an opportunity to predict the durability and service life of such complex structural systems more accurately than conventional empirical methods. This review paper presents a comprehensive analysis of AI-based durability prediction techniques for RCC buildings incorporating floating columns, with structural behavior evaluated using STAAD.Pro. The review summarizes the influence of floating column configurations on stress distribution, deflection, drift, and load-carrying capacity, while examining AI approaches such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and ensemble models for predicting durability indicators including crack development, corrosion potential, service life, and structural degradation. The paper also discusses the integration of finite element analysis results obtained from STAAD.Pro with AI algorithms to improve prediction accuracy and facilitate intelligent structural health assessment. Furthermore, existing research gaps, challenges, and future opportunities in AI-assisted durability evaluation are highlighted. The review concludes that the combination of STAAD.Pro-based structural analysis and AI-driven predictive models offers a reliable and efficient framework for enhancing the safety, durability, maintenance planning, and sustainable design of RCC buildings with floating columns. This integrated approach supports data-driven decision-making and contributes to the development of resilient and smart infrastructure.
