• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.27-37
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• 2020

Structural optimization problems with discrete design variables require more function calculations (or finite element analyses) than those in the continuous design space. In this study, a method to find an optimal solution in the discrete design of the truss structure is presented, reducing the number of function calculations. Because a continuous optimal solution is the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker point that satisfies the optimality condition, it is assumed that the discrete optimal solution is around the continuous optimum. Then, response values such as weight, displacement, and stress are predicted using approximate models-referred to as hybrid metamodels-within specified design ranges. The discrete design method using the hybrid metamodels is used as a post-process of the continuous optimization process. Standard truss design problems of 10-bar, 25-bar, 15-bar, and 52-bar are solved to show the usefulness of this method. The results are compared with those of existing methods.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1399-1407
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• 2004

Structural optimization has been carried out in continuous design space or in discrete design space. Generally, available designs are discrete in design practice. However, the methods for discrete variables are extremely expensive in computational cost. An iterative optimization algorithm is proposed for design in a discrete space, which is called a sequential algorithm using orthogonal arrays (SOA). We demonstrate verifying the fact that a local optimum solution can be obtained from the process with this algorithm. The local optimum solution is defined in a discrete design space. Then the search space, which is a set of candidate values of each design variables formed by the neighborhood of a current design point, is defined. It is verified that a local optimum solution can be found by sequentially moving the search space. The SOA algorithm has been applied to problems such as truss type structures. Then it is confirmed that a local solution can be obtained by using the SOA algorithm

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.1005-1010
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• 2004

The structural optimization has been carried out in the continuous design space or in the discrete design space. Generally, available designs are discrete in design practice. But methods for discrete variables are extremely expensive in computational cost. In order to overcome this weakness, an iterative optimization algorithm was proposed for design in the discrete space, which is called as a sequential algorithm using orthogonal arrays (SOA). We focus to verify the fact that the local solution can be obtained throughout the optimization with this algorithm. The local solution is defined in discrete design space. Then the search space, which is the set of candidate values of each design variables formed by the neighborhood of current design point, is defined. It is verified that a local solution can be founded by moving sequentially the search space. The SOA algorithm has been applied to problems such as truss type structures. Then it is confirmed that a local solution can be obtained using the SOA algorithm

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.06c
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• pp.408-413
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• 2001

The structural optimization is carried out in the continuous design space or discrete design space. Methods for discrete variables such as genetic algorithms are extremely expensive in computational cost. In this research, an iterative optimization algorithm using orthogonal arrays is developed for design in discrete space. An orthogonal array is selected on a discrete design space and levels are selected from candidate values. Matrix experiments with the orthogonal array are conducted. New results of matrix experiments are obtained with penalty functions for constraints. A new design is determined from analysis of means(ANOM). An orthogonal array is defined around the new values and matrix experiments are conducted. The final optimum design is found from iterative process. The suggested algorithm has been applied to various problems such as truss and frame type structures. The results are compared with those from a genetic algorithm and discussed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.798-806
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• 2003

Structural optimization has been carried out in continuous or discrete design space. Methods for continuous design have been well developed though they are finding the local optima. On the contrary, the existing methods for discrete design are extremely expensive in computational cost or not robust. In this research, an algorithm using tabu search is developed fur the discrete structural designs. The tabu list and the neighbor function of the Tabu concepts are introduced to the algorithm. It defines the number of steps, the maximum number for random searches and the stop criteria. A tabu search is known as the heuristic approach while genetic algorithm and simulated annealing algorithm are attributed to the stochastic approach. It is shown that an algorithm using the tabu search with random moves has an advantage of discrete design. Furthermore, the suggested method finds the reliable optimum for the discrete design problems. The existing tabu search methods are reviewed. Subsequently, the suggested method is explained. The mathematical problems and structural design problems are investigated to show the validity of the proposed method. The results of the structural designs are compared with those from a genetic algorithm and an orthogonal array design.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.21 no.2 s.75
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• pp.75-80
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• 2007

The design variables for structural systems, in most practical designs, are chosen from a list of discrete values, which are commercially available sizing. This paper presents the application of Genetic Algorithms for determining the optimum design for two-dimensional structures with discrete and pseudocontinuous design variables. Genetic Algorithms are heuristic search algorithms and are effective tools for finding global solutions for discrete optimization. In this paper, Genetic Algorithms are used as the method of Elitism and penalty parameters, in order to improve fitness in the reproduction process. Examples in this paper include: 10 bar planar truss and 1 bay 8-story frame. Truss with discrete and pseudoucontinuous design variables and steel frame with W-sections are used for the design of discrete optimization.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.1 no.1 s.1
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• pp.125-134
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• 2001

The objective of this study is the development of size discrete optimum design algorithm which is based on the GAs(genetic algorithms). The algorithm can perform size discrete optimum designs of space trusses. The developed algorithm was implemented in a computer program. For the optimum design, the objective function is the weight of space trusses and the constraints are limite state design codes(1998) and displacements. The basic search method for the optimum design is the GAs. The algorithm is known to be very efficient for the discrete optimization. This study solves the problem by introducing the GAs. The GAs consists of genetic process and evolutionary process. The genetic process selects the next design points based on the survivability of the current design points. The evolutionary process evaluates the survivability of the design points selected from the genetic process. In the genetic process of the simple GAs, there are three basic operators: reproduction, cross-over, and mutation operators. The efficiency and validity of the developed discrete optimum design algorithm was verified by applying GAs to optimum design examples.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1621-1626
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• 2001

The structural optimization have been carried out in the continuous design space or in the discrete design space. Methods fur discrete variables such as genetic algorithms , are extremely expensive in computational cost. In this research, an iterative optimization algorithm using orthogonal arrays is developed for design in discrete space. An orthogonal array is selected on a discrete des inn space and levels are selected from candidate values. Matrix experiments with the orthogonal array are conducted. New results of matrix experiments are obtained with penalty functions leer constraints. A new design is determined from analysis of means(ANOM). An orthogonal array is defined around the new values and matrix experiments are conducted. The final optimum design is found from iterative process. The suggested algorithm has been applied to various problems such as truss and frame type structures. The results are compared with those from a genetic algorithm and discussed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.122-130
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• 2001

In order to improve the efficiency of the design process and the quality of the resulting design, this study proposes a design method for determining design variables of an automotive wheel-bearing unit of double-row angular-contact ball bearing type by using a genetic algorithm. The desired performance of the wheel-bearing unit is to maximize system life while satisfying geometrical and operational constraints without enlarging mounting spae. The use of gradient-based optimization methods for the design of the unit is restricted because this design problem is characterized by the presence of discrete design variables such as the number of balls and standard ball diameter. Therefore, the design problem of rolling element bearings is a constrained discrete optimization problem. A genetic algorithm using real coding and dynamic mutation rate is used to efficiently find the optimum discrete design values. To effectively deal with the design constraints, a ranking method is suggested for constructing a fitness function in the genetic algorithm. A computer program is developed and applied to the design of a real wheel-bearing unit model to evaluate the proposed design method. Optimum design results demonstrate the effectiveness of the design method suggested in this study by showing that the system life of an optimally designed wheel-bearing unit is enhanced in comparison with that of the current design without any constraint violations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.359-372
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• 1995

This study presents an efficient method for optimum design of plate and shell structures, when the design variables are continuous or discrete. Both sizing and shape design variables are considered. First the structural responses such as element forces are approximated in terms of some intermediate variables. By substituting these approximate relations into the original design problem, an explicit nonlinear approximate design task with high quality approximation is achieved. This problem with continuous variables, can be solved by means of numerical optimization techniques very efficiently, the results of which are then used for discrete variable optimization. Now, the approximate problem is converted into a sequence of second level approximation problems of separable form and each of which is solved by a dual strategy with discrete design variables. The approach is efficient in terms of the number of required structural analyses, as well as the overall computational cost of optimization. Examples are offered and compared with other methods to demonstrate the features of the proposed method.