• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.747-753
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• 2019

Metaheuristic algorithm is used to solve the weight minimization problem of truss structures considering shape, and sizing design variables. The cross-sectional areas of the line element in trusses are the design variables for size optimization and the changeable joint coordinates are the shape optimization used in this study. The design of plane and spatial truss structures are optimized by metaheuristic technique named Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO). Finite element analyses of structures and optimization process are carried out by the computer program visually developed by the authors coded in MATLAB. The four benchmark problems (trusses 2D ten-bar, 3D thirty-seven-bar, 3D seventy-two-bar and 2D two-hundred-bar) taken from literature are optimized and the optimal solution compared the results given by previous studies.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2018

This paper proposes a developed optimization model for steel frames with semi-rigid beam-to-column connections and fixed bases using teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) and genetic algorithm (GA) techniques. This method uses rotational deformations of frame members ends as an optimization variable to simultaneously obtain the optimum cross-sections and the most suitable beam-to-column connection type. The total cost of members plus connections cost of the frame are minimized. Frye and Morris (1975) polynomial model is used for modeling nonlinearity of semi-rigid connections, and the $P-{\Delta}$ effect and geometric nonlinearity are considered through a stepped analysis process. The stress and displacement constraints of AISC-LRFD (2016) specifications, along with size fitting constraints, are considered in the design procedure. The developed model is applied to three benchmark steel frames, and the results are compared with previous literature results. The comparisons show that developed model using both LTBO and GA achieves better results than previous approaches in the literature.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.753-763
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• 2020

The early prediction of Compressive Strength of Concrete (CSC) is a significant task in the civil engineering construction projects. This study, therefore, is dedicated to introducing two novel hybrids of neural computing, namely Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE) and Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO) for predicting the CSC. The algorithms are applied to a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) network to create the SCE-MLP and TLBO-MLP ensembles. The results revealed that, first, intelligent models can properly handle analyzing and generalizing the non-linear relationship between the CSC and its influential parameters. For example, the smallest and largest values of the CSC were 17.19 and 58.53 MPa, and the outputs of the MLP, SCE-MLP, and TLBO-MLP range in [17.61, 54.36], [17.69, 55.55] and [18.07, 53.83], respectively. Second, applying the SCE and TLBO optimizers resulted in increasing the correlation of the MLP products from 93.58 to 97.32 and 97.22%, respectively. The prediction error was also reduced by around 34 and 31% which indicates the high efficiency of these algorithms. Moreover, regarding the computation time needed to implement the SCE-MLP and TLBO-MLP models, the SCE is a considerably more time-efficient optimizer. Nevertheless, both suggested models can be promising substitutes for laboratory and destructive CSC evaluative models.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.66 no.12
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• pp.1782-1791
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• 2017

In this paper, an optimal design of hybrid magnetic levitation(Maglev) system using intelligent optimization algorithms is proposed. The proposed maglev system adopts hybrid suspension system with permanent-magnet(PM) and electro magnet(EM) to reduce the suspension power loss and the teaching-learning based optimization(TLBO) that can overcome the drawbacks of conventional intelligent optimization algorithm is used. To obtain the mathematical model of hybrid suspension system, the magnetic equivalent circuit including leakage fluxes are used. Also, design restrictions such as cross section areas of PM and EM, the maximum length of PM, magnetic force are considered to choose the optimal parameters by intelligent optimization algorithm. To meet desired suspension power and lower power loss, the multi object function is proposed. To verify the proposed object function and intelligent optimization algorithms, we analyze the performance using the mean value and standard error of 10 simulation results. The simulation results show that the proposed method is more effective than conventional optimization methods.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.313-327
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• 2019

The purpose of the present study is to present a new approach to designing and selecting the details of multidimensional continuous RC beam by applying all strength, serviceability, ductility and other constraints based on ACI318-14 using Teaching Learning Based Optimization (TLBO) algorithm. The optimum reinforcement detailing of longitudinal bars is done in two steps. in the first stage, only the dimensions of the beam in each span are considered as the variables of the optimization algorithm. in the second stage, the optimal design of the longitudinal bars of the beam is made according to the first step inputs. In the optimum shear reinforcement, using gradient-based methods, the most optimal possible mode is selected based on the existing assumptions. The objective function in this study is a cost function that includes the cost of concrete, formwork and reinforcing steel bars. The steel used in the objective function is the sum of longitudinal and shear bars. The use of a catalog list consisting of all existing patterns of longitudinal bars based on the minimum rules of the regulation in the second stage, leads to a sharp reduction in the volume of calculations and the achievement of the best solution. Three example with varying degrees of complexity, have been selected in order to investigate the optimal design of the longitudinal and shear reinforcement of continuous beam.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.3
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• pp.273-285
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• 2023

This study examines how the interaction between soil and a wind turbine's supporting system affects the optimal design. The supporting system resting on an elastic soil foundation consists of a steel conical tower and a concrete circular raft foundation, and it is subjected to wind loads. The material cost of the supporting system is aimed to be minimized employing various metaheuristic optimization algorithms including teaching-learning based optimization (TLBO). To include the influence of the soil in the optimization process, modified Vlasov and Gazetas elastic soil models are integrated into the optimization algorithms using the application programing interface (API) feature of the structural analysis program providing two-way data flow. As far as the optimal designs are considered, the best minimum cost design is achieved for the TLBO algorithm, and the modified Vlasov model makes the design economical compared with the simple Gazetas and infinitely rigid soil models. Especially, the optimum design dimensions of the raft foundation extremely reduce when the Vlasov realistic soil reactions are included in the optimum analysis. Additionally, as the designated design wind speed is decreased, the beneficial impact of soil interaction on the optimum material cost diminishes.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.339-352
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• 2022

Studying slope stability is an important branch of civil engineering. In this way, engineers have employed machine learning models, due to their high efficiency in complex calculations. This paper examines the robustness of various novel optimization schemes, namely equilibrium optimizer (EO), Harris hawks optimization (HHO), water cycle algorithm (WCA), biogeography-based optimization (BBO), dragonfly algorithm (DA), grey wolf optimization (GWO), and teaching learning-based optimization (TLBO) for enhancing the performance of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in slope stability prediction. The hybrid models estimate the factor of safety (F_S) of a cohesive soil-footing system. The role of these algorithms lies in finding the optimal parameters of the membership function in the fuzzy system. By examining the convergence proceeding of the proposed hybrids, the best population sizes are selected, and the corresponding results are compared to the typical ANFIS. Accuracy assessments via root mean square error, mean absolute error, mean absolute percentage error, and Pearson correlation coefficient showed that all models can reliably understand and reproduce the F_S behavior. Moreover, applying the WCA, EO, GWO, and TLBO resulted in reducing both learning and prediction error of the ANFIS. Also, an efficiency comparison demonstrated the WCA-ANFIS as the most accurate hybrid, while the GWO-ANFIS was the fastest promising model. Overall, the findings of this research professed the suitability of improved intelligent models for practical slope stability evaluations.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2024

A very widely used analytical method (mathematical model), mentioned in Eurocode 3, to examine the connections' bending behavior is the component-based method that has certain weak points shown in the plastic behavior part of the moment-rotation curves. In the component method available in Eurocode 3, for simplicity, the effect of strain hardening is omitted, and the bending behavior of the connection is modeled with the help of a two-line diagram. To make the component method more efficient and reliable, this research proposed its advanced version, wherein the plastic part of the diagram was developed beyond the guidelines of the mentioned Regulation, implemented to connect the end plate, and verified with the moment-rotation curves found from the laboratory model and the finite element method in ABAQUS. The findings indicated that the advanced component method (the method developed in this research) could predict the plastic part of the moment-rotation curve as well as the conventional component-based method in Eurocode 3. The comparison between the laboratory model and the outputs of the conventional and advanced component methods, as well as the outputs of the finite elements approach using ABAQUS, revealed a different percentage in the ultimate moment for bolt-extended end-plate connections. Specifically, the difference percentages were -31.56%, 2.46%, and 9.84%, respectively. Another aim of this research was to determine the optimal dimensions of the end plate joint to reduce costs without letting the mechanical constraints related to the bending moment and the resulting initial stiffness, are not compromised as well as the safety and integrity of the connection. In this research, the thickness and dimensions of the end plate and the location and diameter of the bolts were the design variables, which were optimized using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Snake Optimization (SO), and Teaching Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO) to minimization the connection cost of the end plate connection. According to the results, the TLBO method yielded better solutions than others, reducing the connection costs from 43.97 to 17.45€ (60.3%), which shows the method's proper efficiency.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.197-210
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• 2019

Motion generation of a four-bar linkage is a type of mechanism synthesis that has a wide range of applications such as a pick-and-place operation in manufacturing. In this research, the use of meta-heuristics for motion generation of a four-bar linkage is demonstrated. Three problems of motion generation were posed as a constrained optimization probably using the weighted sum technique to handle two types of tracking errors. A simple penalty function technique was used to deal with design constraints while three meta-heuristics including differential evolution (DE), self-adaptive differential evolution (JADE) and teaching learning based optimization (TLBO) were employed to solve the problems. Comparative results and the effect of the constraint handling technique are illustrated and discussed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.87 no.6
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• pp.555-574
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• 2023

An efficient optimization algorithm and damage-sensitive objective function are two main components in optimization-based Finite Element Model Updating (FEMU). A suitable combination of these components can considerably affect damage detection accuracy. In this study, a new hybrid damage-sensitive objective function is proposed based on combining two different objection functions to detect the location and extent of damage in structures. The first one is based on Generalized Pseudo Modal Strain Energy (GPMSE), and the second is based on the element's Generalized Flexibility Matrix (GFM). Four well-known population-based metaheuristic algorithms are used to solve the problem and report the optimal solution as damage detection results. These algorithms consist of Cuckoo Search (CS), Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO), Moth Flame Optimization (MFO), and Jaya. Three numerical examples and one experimental study are studied to illustrate the capability of the proposed method. The performance of the considered metaheuristics is also compared with each other to choose the most suitable optimizer in structural damage detection. The numerical examinations on truss and frame structures with considering the effects of measurement noise and availability of only the first few vibrating modes reveal the good performance of the proposed technique in identifying damage locations and their severities. Experimental examinations on a six-story shear building structure tested on a shake table also indicate that this method can be considered as a suitable technique for damage assessment of shear building structures.