• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.359-366
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• 2005

Most engineering optimization are based on numerical linear and nonlinear programming methods that require substantial gradient information and usually seek to improve the solution in the neighborhood of a starting point. These algorithm, however, reveal a limited approach to complicated real-world optimization problems. If there is more than one local optimum in the problem, the result may depend on the selection of an initial point, and the obtained optimal solution may not necessarily be the global optimum. This paper describes a new harmony search(HS) meta-heuristic algorithm-based approach for structural size optimization problems with continuous design variables. This recently developed HS algorithm is conceptualized using the musical process of searching for a perfect state of harmony. It uses a stochastic random search instead of a gradient search so that derivative information is unnecessary. Two classical space truss optimization problems are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the HS algorithm. The results indicate that the proposed approach is a powerful search and optimization technique that may yield better solutions to structural engineering problems than those obtained using current algorithms.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.1099-1120
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• 2014

In this paper, reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) of structures is addressed. For this purpose, the global search and optimization capabilities of genetic algorithm (GA) are combined with the efficiency and reasonable accuracy of an advanced moment-based finite element reliability method. For performing RBDO, three variants of GA including a real-coded, a binary-coded and an improved binary-coded GA are developed. In these methods, GA performs (finite element) reliability analyses to evaluate reliability constraints. For truss structures which include finite element modeling, reliability constraints are evaluated using finite element reliability analysis. Response sensitivity required for finite element reliability analysis is obtained by direct differentiation method (DDM) rather than finite difference method (FDM). The proposed methods are examined within four standard test examples and real-world design problems. The results illustrate the superiority and efficiency of the improved binary-coded GA. Results also illustrate that DDM significantly reduces the computational cost and improves the efficiency of the optimization procedure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.75 no.4
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• pp.445-454
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• 2020

Structural damage identification (SDI) is a crucial step in structural health monitoring. However, some of the existing SDI methods cannot provide enough identification accuracy and efficiency in practice. A novel whale optimization algorithm (WOA) based method is proposed for SDI by weighting modal data and flexibility assurance criterion in this study. At first, the SDI problem is mathematically converted into a constrained optimization problem. Unlike traditional objective function defined using frequencies and mode shapes, a new objective function on the SDI problem is formulated by weighting both modal data and flexibility assurance criterion. Then, the WOA method, due to its good performance of fast convergence and global searching ability, is adopted to provide an accurate solution to the SDI problem, different predator mechanisms are formulated and their probability thresholds are selected. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is assessed by numerical simulations on a simply-supported beam and a 31-bar truss structures. For the given multiple structural damage conditions under environmental noises, the WOA-based SDI method can effectively locate structural damages and accurately estimate severities of damages. Compared with other optimization methods, such as particle swarm optimization and dragonfly algorithm, the proposed WOA-based method outperforms in accuracy and efficiency, which can provide a more effective and potential tool for the SDI problem.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.137-144
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• 1985

This paper deals with the adjoint variable method in design sensitivity analysis that is essential to the structure optimization. The method is shown to be much simpler than the conventional method in structure optimization by applying it to the optimal design of finite dimensional structures. Design sensitivity analyses and their numerical solutions for the principal constraints, i.e., displacement and stress constraints under static loads are obtained. Furthermore, it is proved that optimization can be carried out efficiently by applying the optimization algorithm. Structure optimization problems of minimizing the volumes of the truss structures(finite dimensional structures) under the appropriate boundary conditions, loading conditions and constraints are considered.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.289-303
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• 2015

This study presents a strategy so-called Subspace Search Mechanism (SSM) for reducing the computational time for convergence of population based metaheusristic algorithms. The selected metaheuristic for this study is the Cuckoo Search algorithm (CS) dealing with size optimization of trusses. The complexity of structural optimization problems can be partially due to the presence of high-dimensional design variables. SSM approach aims to reduce dimension of the problem. Design variables are categorized to predefined groups (subspaces). SSM focuses on the multiple use of the metaheuristic at hand for each subspace. Optimizer updates the design variables for each subspace independently. Updating rules require candidate designs evaluation. Each candidate design is the assemblage of responsible set of design variables that define the subspace of interest. SSM is incorporated to the Cuckoo Search algorithm for size optimizing of three small, moderate and large space trusses. Optimization results indicate that SSM enables the CS to work with less number of population (42%), as a result reducing the time of convergence, in exchange for some accuracy (1.5%). It is shown that the loss of accuracy can be lessened with increasing the order of complexity. This suggests its applicability to other algorithms and other complex finite element-based engineering design problems.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.77 no.3
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• pp.417-439
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• 2021

The geometric nonlinearity has been successfully integrated with the design of steel structural system. Thus, the tubular lattice girder, one application of steel structural systems have already been optimized to obtain an economic design following the completion of computationally expensive design procedure. In order to decrease its computing cost, this study proposes to employ five multi-objective metaheuristics for the design optimization of geometrically nonlinear tubular lattice girder. Then, the employed multi-objective optimization algorithms (MOAs), NSGAII, PESAII, SPEAII, AbYSS and MoCell are evaluated considering their computing performances. For an unbiased evaluation of their computing performance, a tubular lattice girder with varying size-shape-topology and a benchmark truss design with 17 members are not only optimized considering the geometrically nonlinear behavior, but three benchmark mathematical functions along with the four benchmark linear design problems are also included for the comparison purpose. The proposed experimental study is carried out by use of an intelligent optimization tool named JMetal v5.10. According to the quantitative results of employed quality indicators with respect to a statistical analysis test, MoCell is resulted with an achievement of showing better computing performance compared to other four MOAs. Consequently, MoCell is suggested as an optimization tool for the design of geometrically nonlinear tubular lattice girder than the other employed MOAs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.37-46
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• 2007

In designing the structure, the stress path is the basic data. But the stress path is not standardized to analysis the structure. So the one-dimensional frame element structure model with the triangle irregular network is used to solve the problem. And the refined evolutionary structural optimization(RESO) used in structural topology optimization is applied to this study. Through this process, the search method of the stress path is advanced and the burden of the calculation. is reduced.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.2 no.3 s.5
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• pp.93-102
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• 2002

The objective of this study is the development of size, shape and topology discrete optimum design algorithm which is based on the genetic algorithms. The algorithm can perform both shape and topology optimum designs of trusses. The developed algorithm was implemented in a computer program. For the optimum design, the objective function is the weight of trusses and the constraints are stress and displacement. The basic search method for the optimum design is the genetic algorithms. The algorithm is known to be very efficient for the discrete optimization. The genetic algorithm consists of genetic process and evolutionary process. The genetic process selects the next design points based on the survivability of the current design points. The evolutionary process evaluates the survivability of the design points selected from the genetic process. The efficiency and validity of the developed size, shape and topology discrete optimum design algorithms were verified by applying the algorithm to optimum design examples

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.93-104
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• 1992

The final objective of optimization methods is to find global optimum accurately and efficiently. The optmization processes by simulated annealing and genetic algorithm which have stochastic search process are examined and are applied to several mathematical models and truss, beam structures. Then the robustnesses of these two methods are studied and compared with the results of deterministic optimization methods from the viewpoints of reliability and running time in obtaining the global optimum.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.194-202
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• 2003

To make railway carbody light in weight has advantages at some aspects of both manufacturing and maintenance. Recently, railway carbodys of steel structure have been lightened their weight by using aluminum extrusion plate. for the additional lightening of railway carbody, an optimal design which maintains proper strength and minimizes weight must be achieved. Optimization which is used with finite element analysis for aluminum extrusion plate has the disadvantage of consuming much time. In this paper, the method of equivalent material property which is available to FEA code is established using the method of equivalent stiffness. This method for plate is expanded into the method for railway carbody structure with plates and shells. An objective function is established for maximum stiffness of unit aluminum extrusion plate using established method of equivalent material property. We performed an multi-objective optimization using the penalty function method. As a result, recommendable shapes and sizes of unit extrusion plate for under-frame of high speed train is presented.