• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.101-107
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• 2008

We introduce an optimization of fuzzy set-fuzzy systems based on IG (Information Granules). The proposed fuzzy model implements system structure and parameter identification by means of IG and GAs. The concept of information granulation was coped with to enhance the abilities of structural optimization of the fuzzy model. Granulation of information realized with C-Means clustering helps determine the initial parameters of the fuzzy model such as the initial apexes of the membership functions in the premise part and the initial values of polynomial functions in the consequence part of the fuzzy rules. The initial parameters are adjusted effectively with the help of the GAs and the standard least square method. To optimally identify the structure and the parameters of the fuzzy model we exploit GAs with successive tuning method to simultaneously search the structure and the parameters within one individual. We also consider the variant generation-based evolution to adjust the rate of identification of the structure and the parameters in successive tuning method. The proposed model is evaluated with the performance of the conventional fuzzy model.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-25
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• 2016

Domes are architectural and elegant structures which cover a vast area with no interrupting columns in the middle, and with suitable shapes can be also economical. Domes are built in a wide variety of forms and specialized terms are available to describe them. According to their form, domes are given special names such as network, lamella, Schwedler, ribbed, and geodesic domes. In this paper, an optimum topology design algorithm is performed using the enhanced colliding bodies optimization (ECBO) method. The network, lamella, ribbed and Schwedler domes are studied to determine the optimum number of rings, the optimum height of crown and tubular sections of these domes. The minimum volume of each dome is taken as the objective function. A simple procedure is defined to determine the dome structures configurations. This procedure includes calculating the joint coordinates and element constructions. The design constraints are implemented according to the provision of LRFD-AISC (Load and Resistance Factor Design-American Institute of Steel Constitution). The wind loading act on domes according to ASCE 7-05 (American Society of Civil Engineers). This paper will explore the efficiency of various type of domes and compare them at the first stage to investigate the performance of these domes under different kind of loading. At the second stage the wind load on optimum design of domes are investigated for Schwedler dome. Optimization process is performed via ECBO algorithm to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the ECBO in creating optimal design for domes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.427-438
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• 2018

Static stability is a decisive factor in the design of domes. Stability-related external factors, such as load and supports, are incorporated into structural vulnerability theory by the definition of a relative rate of joint well-formedness ($r_r$). Hence, the instability mechanism of domes can be revealed. To improve stability, an optimization model against instability, which takes the maximization of the lowest $r_r$ ($r_{r,min}$) as the objective and the discrete member sections as the variables, is established with constraints on the design requirements and steel consumption. Optimizations are performed on two real-life Kiewitt-6 model domes with a span of 23.4 m and rise of 11.7 m, which are initially constructed for shaking table collapse test. Well-formedness analyses and stability calculation (via arc-length method) of the models throughout the optimization history demonstrate that this proposed method can effectively enhance $r_{r,min}$ and optimize the static stability of shell-like structures. Additionally, seismic performance of the optimum models subjected to the same earthquake as in the shaking table test is checked. The supplemental simulations prove that the optimum models are superior to the original models under earthquake load as well.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.489-508
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• 2015

In this paper, a novel methodology is proposed to obtain optimum location of outriggers. The method utilizes genetic algorithm (GA) for shape and size optimization of outrigger-braced tall structures. In spite of previous studies (simplified methods), current study is based on exact modeling of the structure in a computer program developed on Matlab in conjunction with OpenSees. In addition to that, exact wind loading distribution is calculated in accordance with ASCE 7-10. This is novel since in previous studies wind loading distributions were assumed to be uniform or triangular. Also, a new penalty coefficient is proposed which is suitable for optimization of tall buildings. Newly proposed penalty coefficient improves the performance of GA and results in a faster convergence. Optimum location and number of outriggers is investigated. Also, contribution of factors like central core and outrigger rigidity is assessed by analyzing several design examples. According to the results of analysis, exact wind load distribution and modeling of all structural elements, yields optimum designs which are in contrast of simplified methods results. For taller frames significant increase of wind pressure changes the optimum location of outriggers obtained by simplified methods. Ratio of optimum location to the height of the structure for minimizing weight and satisfying serviceability constraints is not a fixed value. Ratio highly depends on height of the structure, core and outriggers stiffness and lateral wind loading distribution.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.439-449
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• 2018

In this paper, multi-objective optimization of a multi-bubble pressure cabin in the underwater glider with Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) is carried out using Kriging and the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II). Two objective functions are considered: buoyancy-weight ratio and internal volume. Multi-bubble pressure cabin has a strong compressive capacity, and makes full use of the fuselage space. Parametric modeling of the multi-bubble pressure cabin structure is automatic generated using UG secondary development. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is employed to study the structural performance using the commercial software ANSYS. The weight of the primary structure is determined from the volume of the Finite Element Structure (FES). The stress limit is taken into account as the constraint condition. Finally, Technique for Ordering Preferences by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method is used to find some trade-off optimum design points from all non-dominated optimum design points represented by the Pareto fronts. The best solution is compared with the initial design results to prove the efficiency and applicability of this optimization method.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.4
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• pp.397-405
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• 2020

In this study size optimization of large-scale dome structures with dynamic constraints is presented. In the optimal design of these structure, the Jaya algorithm is used to find minimal size of design variables. The design variables are the cross-sectional areas of the steel truss bar elements. To take into account the constraints which are the first five natural frequencies of the structures, the finite element analysis is coded in Matlab programs using eigen values of the stiffness matrix of the dome structures. The Jaya algorithm and the finite elements codes are combined by the help of the Matlab - GUI (Graphical User Interface) programming to carry out the optimization process for the dome structures. To show the efficiency and the advances of the Jaya algorithm, 1180 bar dome structure and the 1410 bar dome structure were tested by taking into the frequency constraints. The optimal results obtained by the proposed algorithm are compared with those given in the literature to demonstrate the performance of the Jaya algorithm. At the end of the study, it is concluded that the proposed algorithm can be effectively used in the optimal design of large-scale dome structures.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2019

This paper studies damage detection as an optimization problem. A new objective function based on changes in natural frequencies, and Natural Frequency Vector Assurance Criterion (NFVAC) was developed. Due to their easy and fast acquisition, natural frequencies were utilized to detect structural damages. Moreover, they are sensitive to stiffness reduction. The method presented here consists of two stages. Firstly, Finite Element Model (FEM) is updated. Secondly, damage severities and locations are determined. To minimize the proposed objective function, a new bio-inspired optimization algorithm called salp swarm was employed. Efficiency of the method presented here is validated by three experimental examples. The first example relates to three-story shear frame with two single damage cases in the first story. The second relates to a five-story shear frame with single and multiple damage cases in the first and third stories. The last one relates to a large-scale eight-story shear frame with minor damage case in the first and third stories. Moreover, the performance of Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) was compared with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The results show that better accuracy is obtained using SSA than using PSO. The obtained results clearly indicate that the proposed method can be used to determine accurately and efficiently both damage location and severity in multi-story shear frames.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.6
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• pp.677-689
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• 2022

Generally, the goal of seismic retrofit design of an existing structure using energy dissipation devices is to determine the optimum design parameters of a retrofit device to satisfy a specified limit state with minimum cost. However, the presence of multiple parameters to be optimized and the computational complexity of performing non-linear analysis make it difficult to find the optimal design parameters in the realistic 3D structure. In this study, genetic algorithm-based optimal seismic retrofit methods for determining the required number, yield strength, and location of steel slit dampers are proposed to retrofit an asymmetric soft first-story structure. These methods use a multi-objective and single-objective evolutionary algorithms, each of which varies in computational complexity and incorporates nonlinear time-history analysis to determine seismic performance. Pareto-optimal solutions of the multi-objective optimization are found using a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). It is demonstrated that the developed multi-objective optimization methods can determine the optimum number, yield strength, and location of dampers that satisfy the given limit state of a three-dimensional asymmetric soft first-story structure. It is also shown that the single-objective distribution method based on minimizing plan-wise stiffness eccentricity turns out to produce similar number of dampers in optimum locations without time consuming nonlinear dynamic analysis.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.373-390
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• 2020

Hybrid simulation (HS) is a versatile tool for structural performance evaluation under dynamic loads. Although real structural responses are often multiple-directional owing to an eccentric mass/stiffness of the structure and/or excitations not along structural major axes, few HS in this field takes into account structural responses in multiple directions. Multi-directional loading is more challenging than uni-directional loading as there is a nonlinear transformation between actuator and specimen coordinate systems, increasing the difficulty of suppressing loading error. Moreover, redundant actuators may exist in multi-directional hybrid simulations of large-scale structures, which requires the loading strategy to contain ineffective loading of multiple actuators. To address these issues, lately a new strategy was conceived for accurate reproduction of desired displacements in bi-directional hybrid simulations (BHS), which is characterized in two features, i.e., iterative displacement command updating based on the Jacobian matrix considering nonlinear geometric relationships, and force-based control for compensating ineffective forces of redundant actuators. This paper performs performance validation and application of this new mixed loading strategy. In particular, virtual BHS considering linear and nonlinear specimen models, and the diversity of actuator properties were carried out. A validation test was implemented with a steel frame specimen. A real application of this strategy to BHS on a full-scale 2-story frame specimen was performed. Studies showed that this strategy exhibited excellent tracking performance for the measured displacements of the control point and remarkable compensation for ineffective forces of the redundant actuator. This strategy was demonstrated to be capable of accurately and effectively reproducing the desired displacements in large-scale BHS.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.621-652
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• 2016

A new cable-supported bridge model consisting of suspension parts, self-anchored cable-stayed parts and earth-anchored cable-stayed parts is presented. The new bridge model can be used for suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges, cable-stayed suspension bridges, and partially earth-anchored cable-stayed bridges by varying parameters. Based on the assumption that each structural member is in either an axial compressive or tensile state, and the stress in each member is equal to the allowable stress of the material, the material quantity for each component is calculated. By introducing the unit cost of each type of material, the estimation formula for the cost of the new bridge model is developed. Numerical examples show that the results from the estimation formula agree well with that from the real projects. The span limit of cable supported bridge depends on the span-to-height ratio and the density-to-strength ratio of cables. Finally, a parametric study is illustrated aiming at the relations between three key geometrical parameters and the cost of the bridge model. The optimization of the new bridge model indicates that the self-anchored cable-stayed part is always the dominant part with the consideration of either the lowest total cost or the lowest unit cost. It is advisable to combine all three mentioned structural parts in super long span cable supported bridges to achieve the most excellent economic performance.