Efficient Design Optimization of Cable-Stayed Bridges: A Two-Layer Framework with Surrogate-Model-Assisted Prediction of Optimum Cable Forces
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsMy remarks are in the attached file
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Language must be carefully revised.
Author Response
We thank the reviewer for the helpful feedback. Please see our response in the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors correctly use statistical analysis tools, and the adopted surrogate model and cable forces predictor have their potential, but the analyses are purely theoretical. The adopted optimization method has yet to be verified in practice.
As is well known, a factor of safety is considered in the structure's design, which causes the structure to be theoretically "oversized". According to the authors, the theoretical analyses in the manuscript indicate that the cost of the optimal design decreased by 32% compared to the original design! Does this mean you can reduce the cost of building a bridge by several billion dollars?? That would be a real revolution.
I think redrafting this conclusion is a good idea because it misleads the reader.
The assumptions and constraints adopted in the article for the purposes of the analysis presented for one example do not allow them to be applied in practice.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Moderate editing of the English language is required. For example:
...framework with the surrogate model-assisted...
The construction of such a huge engineering structure is extremely challenging and costly. Therefore it is becoming ever-increasing critical to carry out detailed structural optimization and comparison at the design stage.
...caused by the sag effect of...
Author Response
We thank the reviewer for the helpful feedback. Please see our response in the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
