• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.847-865
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• 2015

This paper presents the application of a recently developed meta-heuristic algorithm, called Colliding Bodies Optimization (CBO), for size and topology optimization of steel trusses. This method is based on the one-dimensional collisions between two bodies, where each agent solution is considered as a body. The performance of the proposed algorithm is investigated through four benchmark trusses for minimum weight with static and dynamic constraints. A comparison of the numerical results of the CBO with those of other available algorithms indicates that the proposed technique is capable of locating promising solutions using lesser or identical computational effort, with no need for internal parameter tuning.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.555-576
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• 2016

In this paper an efficient approach is introduced for design and analysis of double-layer grids including both geometrical and material nonlinearities, while the results are compared with those considering material nonlinearity. Optimum design procedure based on Enhanced Colliding Bodies Optimization method (ECBO) is applied to optimal design of two commonly used configurations of double-layer grids. Two ranges of spans as small and big sizes with certain bays of equal length in two directions are considered for each type of square grids. ECBO algorithm obtains minimum weight grid through appropriate selection of tube sections available in AISC Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD). Strength constraints of AISC-LRFD specifications and displacement constraints are imposed on these grids.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.233-241
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• 2018

In this paper, the Colliding Bodies Optimization (CBO), Enhanced Colliding Bodies Optimization (ECBO) and Vibrating Particles System (VPS) algorithms and the force method are used for the simultaneous analysis and design of truss structures. The presented technique is applied to the design and analysis of some planer and spatial trusses. An efficient method is introduced using the CBO, ECBO and VPS to design trusses having members of prescribed stress ratios. Finally, the minimum weight design of truss structures is formulated using the CBO, ECBO and VPS algorithms and applied to some benchmark problems from literature. These problems have been designed by using displacement method as analyzer, and here these are solved for the first time using the force method. The accuracy and efficiency of the presented method is examined by comparing the resulting design parameters and structural weight with those of other existing methods.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.119-138
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• 2016

In this article, hybridization of enhanced colliding bodies optimization (ECBO) with upper bound strategy (UBS) that is called UECBO is proposed for optimum design of truss structures with frequency constraints. The distinct feature of the proposed algorithm is that it requires less computational time while preserving the good accuracy of the ECBO. Four truss structures with frequency limitations selected from the literature are studied to verify the viability of the algorithm. This type of problems is highly non-linear and non-convex. The numerical results show the successful performance of the UECBO algorithm in comparison to the CBO, ECBO and some other metaheuristic optimization methods.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.643-652
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• 2017

Pitched roof frames are widely used in construction of the industrial buildings, gyms, schools and colleges, fire stations, storages, hangars and many other low rise structures. The weight and shape of the gable frames with tapered members, as a familiar group of the pitched roof frames, are highly dependent on the properties of the member cross-sectional. In this work Enhanced Colliding Bodies Optimization (ECBO) is utilized for optimal design of three gable frames with tapered members. In order to optimize the frames, the design is performed using the AISC specifications for stress, displacement and stability constraints. The design constraints and weight of the gable frames are computed from the cross-section of members. These optimum weights are obtained using aforementioned optimization algorithms considering the cross-sections of the members and design constraints as optimization variables and constraints, respectively. A comparative study of the PSO and CBO with ECBO is also performed to illustrate the importance of the enhancement of the utilized optimization algorithm.

• 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.18 no.2
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• pp.305-324
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• 2015

In this study, two common types of laterally supported castellated beams are considered as design problems: beams with hexagonal openings and beams with circular openings. The main goal of manufacturing these beams is to increase the moment of inertia and section modulus, which results in greater strength and rigidity. These types of open-web beams have found widespread use, primarily in buildings, because of great savings in materials and construction costs. Hence, the minimum cost is taken as the design objective function and the Colliding Bodies Optimization (CBO) method is utilized for obtaining the solution of the design problem. The design methods used in this study are consistent with BS5950 Part 1 and Part 3, and Euro Code 3. A number of design examples are considered to optimize by CBO algorithm. Comparison of the optimal solution of the CBO algorithm with those of the Enhanced Charged System Search (ECSS) method demonstrate the capability of CBO in solving the present type of design problem. It is also observed that optimization results obtained by the CBO algorithm for three design examples have less cost in comparison to the results of the ECSS algorithm. From the results obtained in this paper, it can be concluded that the use of beam with hexagonal opening requires smaller amount of steel material and it is superior to the cellular beam from the cost point of view.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.spc1
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• pp.422-428
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• 2005

In this paper, the contact force between two colliding bodies is modeled by using Hertz's force-displacement law and nonlinear damping function. In order to verify the appropriateness of the proposed contact force model, the drop type impact test is carried out for different impact velocities and different materials of the impacting body, such as rubber, plastic and steel. In the drop type impact experiment, six photo interrupters in series close to the collision location are installed to measure the velocity before impact more accurately. The characteristics of contact force model are investigated through experiments. The parameters of the contact force model are estimated using the optimization technique. Finally the estimated parameters are used to predict the impact force between two colliding bodies in opening action of the magnetic contactor, a kind of switch mechanism for switching electric circuits.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.933-950
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• 2016

Decks, interior beams, edge beams and girders are the parts of a steel floor system. If the deck is optimized without considering beam optimization, finding best result is simple. However, a deck with higher cost may increase the composite action of the beams and decrease the beam cost reducing the total cost. Also different number of floor divisions can improve the total floor cost. Increasing beam capacity by using castellated beams is other efficient method to save the costs. In this study, floor optimization is performed and these three issues are discussed. Floor division number and deck sections are some of the variables. Also for each beam, profile section of the beam, beam cutting depth, cutting angle, spacing between holes and number of filled holes at the ends of castellated beams are other variables. Constraints include the application of stress, stability, deflection and vibration limitations according to the load and resistance factor (LRFD) design. Objective function is the total cost of the floor consisting of the steel profile cost, cutting and welding cost, concrete cost, steel deck cost, shear stud cost and construction costs. Optimization is performed by enhanced colliding body optimization (ECBO), Results show that using castellated beams, selecting a deck with higher price and considering different number of floor divisions can decrease the total cost of the floor.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.667-694
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• 2015

The suspended dome system is a new structural form that has become popular in the construction of long-span roof structures. Suspended dome is a kind of new pre-stressed space grid structure that has complex mechanical characteristics. In this paper, an optimum topology design algorithm is performed using the enhanced colliding bodies optimization (ECBO) method. The length of the strut, the cable initial strain, the cross-sectional area of the cables and the cross-sectional size of steel elements are adopted as design variables and the minimum volume of each dome is taken as the objective function. The topology optimization on lamella dome is performed by considering the type of the joint connections to determine the optimum number of rings, the optimum number of joints in each ring, the optimum height of crown and tubular sections of these domes. A simple procedure is provided to determine the configuration of the dome. This procedure includes calculating the joint coordinates and steel elements and cables constructions. The design constraints are implemented according to the provision of LRFD-AISC (Load and Resistance Factor Design-American Institute of Steel Constitution). This paper explores the efficiency of lamella dome with pin-joint and rigid-joint connections and compares them to investigate the performance of these domes under wind (according to the ASCE 7-05), dead and snow loading conditions. Then, a suspended dome with pin-joint single-layer reticulated shell and a suspended dome with rigid-joint single-layer reticulated shell are discussed. Optimization is performed via ECBO algorithm to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the ECBO in creating optimal design for suspended domes.