• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.453-462
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• 2002

Discrete-sizing or standardized steel profiles are used in steel design and construction practice. However, most of numerical optimization methods follow additional step(round-up discrete-sizing routine) to use the standardized steel section profiles, and accordingly the optimality of the resulting design nay be doubtful. Thus, in this paper, an efficient multi-level optimization algorithm is proposed to improve the shortcoming of the conventional optimization methods using the round-up discrete-sizing routine. Also, multi-level optimization technique with a decomposition method that separates both system-level and element-level is incorporated in the algorithm to enhance the performance of the proposed algorithms. The proposed algorithm is expected to achieve considerable improvement on both the efficiency of the numerical process and the accuracy of the global optimum.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.707-726
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• 2015

There is a growing trend of considering uncertainty in optimization process since last few decades. In this regard, Robust Design Optimization (RDO) scheme has gained increasing momentum because of its virtue of improving performance of structure by minimizing the variation of performance and ensuring necessary safety and feasibility of constraint under uncertainty. In the present study, RDO of reinforced concrete folded plate and shell structure has been carried out incorporating uncertainty in the relevant parameters by Monte Carlo Simulation. Folded plate and shell structures are among the new generation popular structures often used in aesthetically appealing constructions. However, RDO study of such important structures is observed to be scarce. The optimization problem is formulated as cost minimization problem subjected to the force and displacements constraints considering dead, live and wind load. Then, the RDO is framed by simultaneously optimizing the expected value and the variation of the performance function using weighted sum approach. The robustness in constraint is ensured by adding suitable penalty term and through a target reliability index. The RDO problem is solved by Sequential Quadratic Programming. Subsequently, the results of the RDO are compared with conventional deterministic design approach. The parametric study implies that robust designs can be achieved by sacrificing only small increment in initial cost, but at the same time, considerable quality and guarantee of the structural behaviour can be ensured by the RDO solutions.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.30 no.9 s.252
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• pp.1102-1109
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• 2006

In this paper, the polarization of piezoelectric materials is considered to improve actuation since the piezoelectric polarization has influences on the performance of the actuator. The topology design of compliant mechanism can be formulated as an optimization problem of material distribution in a fixed design domain and continuous approximation of material distribution (CAMD) method has demonstrated its effectiveness to prevent the numerical instabilities in topology optimization. The optimization problem is formulated to maximize the mean transduction ratio subject to the total volume constraints and solved using a sequential linear programming algorithm. The effect of CAMD and the performance improvement of actuator are confirmed through Moonie actuator and PZT suspension design.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.403-416
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• 2013

This paper describes new optimization strategy that offers significant improvements in performance over existing methods for geometry design of frame structures. In this study, an imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) and ant colony optimization (ACO) are combined to reach to an efficient algorithm, called Imperialist Competitive Ant Colony Optimization (ICACO). The ICACO applies the ICA for global optimization and the ACO for local search. The results of optimal geometry for three benchmark examples of frame structures, demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the new method presented in this work. The results indicate that the new technique has a powerful search strategies due to the modifications made in search module of ICACO. Higher rate of convergence is the superiority of the presented algorithm in comparison with the conventional mathematical methods and non hybrid heuristic methods such as ICA and particle swarm optimization (PSO).

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.19 no.1 s.71
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• pp.27-37
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• 2006

A Metropolis genetic algorithm (MGA) is developed and applied for the structural design optimization. In MGA, favorable features of Metropolis criterion of simulated annealing (SA) are incorporated in the reproduction operations of simple genetic algorithm (SGA). This way, the MGA maintains the wide varieties of individuals and preserves the potential genetic information of early generations. Consequently, the proposed MGA alleviates the disadvantages of premature convergence to a local optimum in SGA and time consuming computation for the precise global optimum in SA. Performances and applicability of MGA are compared with those of conventional algorithms such as Holland's SGA, Krishnakumar's micro GA, and Kirkpatrick's SA. Typical numerical examples are used to evaluate the computational performances, the favorable features and applicability of MGA. The effects of population sizes and maximum generations are also evaluated for the performance reliability and robustness of MGA. From the theoretical evaluation and numerical experience, it is concluded that the proposed MGA Is a reliable and efficient tool for structural design optimization.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.417-429
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• 2019

Poly Sulfone nanofibers were electrospun to fabricate membranes of different characteristics. To fabricate the fiber mats, polymer concentration, flowrate, and current density were determined as the most influencing factors affecting the overall performance of the membranes and studied through Response Surface Methodology. The Box-Behnken Design method (three factors at three levels) was used to design, analyze, and optimize the parameters to achieve the best possible performance of the electrospun membranes in forward osmosis process. Also, internal concentration polarization that characterizes the efficiency of the forward osmosis membranes was determined to better assess the overall performance of the fabricated electrospun membranes. Water flux to reverse salt flux was considered as the main response to assess the performance of the membranes. As confirmed experimentally, best membrane performance with the minimal structural parameter value could be achieved when predicted optimal values were used to fabricate the membranes through electrospinning process.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.281-290
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• 2003

Co Evolutionary Structural Design(CESD) Framework is presented, which can deal with the load design and structural topology design simultaneously. The load design here is the exploration algorithm that finds the critical load patterns of the given structure. In general, the load pattern is a crucial factor in determining the structural topology and being selected from the experts어 intuition and experience. However, if any of the critical load patterns would be excluded during the process of problem formation, the solution structure might show inadequate performance under the load pattern. Otherwise if some reinforcement method such as safety factor method would be utilized, the solution structure could result in inefficient conservativeness. On the other hand, the CESD has the ability of automatically finding the most critical load patterns and can help the structural solution evolve into the robust design. The CESD is made up of a load design discipline and a structural topology design discipline both of which have the fully coupled relation each other. This coupling is resolved iteratively until the resultant solution can resist against all the possible load patterns and both disciplines evolve into the solution structure with the mutual help or competition. To verify the usefulness of this approach, the 10 bar truss and the jacket type offshore structure are presented. SORA(Sequential Optimization & Reliability Assessment) is adopted in CESD as a probabilistic optimization methodology, and its usefulness in decreasing the computational cost is verified also.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.351-358
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• 2006

Recently, the development of new structural model in fixed partial denture system is required to be started from the conceptual design with low cost, high performance and quality. In this point, a FEM based design of partial denture is used to investigate stress distribution on the durable shape. In this paper, the structural performances of partial dentures were analyzed under three biting forces. The periodontal embedding model is introduced on behalf of the detailed supporting tissue, which is composed of dentin, cortical bone, cancellous bone and periodontal ligament. Using topology optimization, the optimal reinforcement layout of connector was obtained and the detail shape in the fixed partial denture was designed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.707-725
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• 2014

In order to improve the crane-hook's performance and service life, we formulate a multi-criteria shape design problem considering practical conditions. The structural weight, the displacement at specified points and the induced matrix norm of stiffness matrix are adopted as the evaluation items to be minimized. The heights and widths of cross-section are chosen as the design variables. The design variables are expressed in terms of shape functions based on the Gaussian function. For this multi-objective optimization problem with three items, we utilize a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm, that is, the multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO). As a common feature of obtained solutions, the side views are tapered shapes similar to those of actual crane-hook designs. The evaluation item values of the obtained designs demonstrate importance of the present optimization as well as the feasibility of the proposed optimal design approach.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.78 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2021

This work studies the behaviour of a steel portal frame selection under fire exposure, considering both span lengths and fire exposure times as variables. Such structures combine carbon steel (S275), fireproof micro-alloyed steel (FR), and coatings of intumescent paint with variable thicknesses, improving thereby the flame retardant behaviour of the steel structure. Thus, the main contribution of this study is the optimization of the portal frames by combining both steels, analysing the resulting costs influence on the final dimensions. Besides, the topological optimization of each steel component within the structure is also defined, in accordance with the following variables: weather conditions, span, paint thickness, and cost of steel. The results mainly confirmed that using both FR and S275 grades with intumescent painting is the Pareto optimum when considering performance, feasibility and costs of such portal frames widely used for industrial facilities.