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

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

• Journal of Ship and Ocean Technology
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.36-44
• /
• 2001

The collision energy absorbing characteristics of side structure of the LNG carriers which have the cargo containment systems of the spherical and the membrane types are compared. A failure mechanism of the double hull side structures of 130, 000 $m^3$ class LNG carriers under sideways collision event has been simulated by using the detailed finite element calculations. In ship collision analysis, the finite element method based on explicit time integration has been use[1 with much success. Finite element modeling techniques for detail description of structural members antral ship motion regarding the dynamic behavior allowed to investigate the effect of bow shape and the initial contact position on side shell of collided ship. In the numerical simulations of the ship-to-ship sideways collision, the effect of the colliding bow shapes and the change of the colliding ship draft are investigated. The critical collision energy which is absorbed by a side structure of a collided ship until the fore-end of colliding ship arrives at the boundary of the cargo tank is calculated. The critical speed of specified colliding ships which can not penetrate the boundary of the LNG cargo tank of the collided ship under collision accident if evaluated.

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

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 1997.04a
• /
• pp.232-239
• /
• 1997

The phenomenology of shock loading effects in brittle mass has been of interest to researchers and engineers. The shock loading as blasting causes strong stress waves in the structures. Discontinuous faces due to shock waves interrupt the tensile stress wave propagation and reflect the stress wave propagation. To predict the fracturing behavior of brittle mass, it is required for the numerical method that can analyze the colliding and slipping behavior of discontinuous faces and the wave propagation in the mass, simultaneously In this study, the wave propagation in the brittle materials is analyzed using the modified distinct element method to be able to predict the behavior of discontinuous structures. The behavior of an unsupported bar subjected to loading at the end is analyzed to verify the rigid body motion of a bar and the relative displacement in the bar. The colliding behavior of two bars is analyzed to investigate the propagation of stress waves in the bar. The fracturing behavior of a bar due to impact loading is analyzed to investigate the propagation of stress waves in the bar with and without the discontinuous faces. The applicability of the modified distinct element method to the wave propagation problems is investigated.

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

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

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.1 no.4
• /
• pp.371-390
• /
• 2010

Historical buildings in seismically active regions are severely damaged by earthquakes, since they certainly were not designed by the original builders to withstand seismic effects. In particular the reports after major ground motions indicate that earthquake-induced pounding between buildings may lead to substantial damage or even collapse of colliding structures. The research on structural pounding during earthquakes has been recently much advanced, although most of the studies are conducted on simplified single degree of freedom systems. In this paper a detailed pounding-involved response analysis of three adjacent structures is performed, concerning the main bodies of the "Quinto Orazio Flacco" school. The construction includes a main masonry building, with an M-shaped plan, and a reinforced concrete building, separated from the masonry one and realized along its free perimeter. By the analysis of the capacity curves obtained by suitable pushover procedures performed separately for each building, it emerges that masonry and reinforced concrete buildings are vulnerable to earthquake-induced structural pounding in the longitudinal direction. In particular, due to the geometric configuration of the school, a special case of impact between the reinforced concrete structure and two parts of the masonry building occurs. In order to evaluate the pounding-involved response of three adjacent structures, in this paper a numerical procedure is proposed, programmed using MATLAB software. Both a non-linear viscoelastic model to simulate impact and an elastic-perfectly plastic approximation of the storey shear force-drift relation are assumed, differently from many commercial softwares which admit just one non-linearity.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.58.2-58.2
• /
• 2011

We present smoothed particle hydrodynamic models of the interactions in the compact galaxy group, Stephan's Quintet. Adding thermohydrodynamic effects to the earlier collisionless N-body simulations of Renaud et al. (2010), we further investigate the dynamical interaction history and evolution of the intergalactic gas of Stephan's Quintet. Specifically, we model the formation of the hot X-ray gas, the group-wide shock, and emission line gas as the result of NGC 7318b colliding with the group as well as reproduce the tidal structures in the group. We compare our model results to multi-wavelength observations.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.305-324
• /
• 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.