Slim – Gal for shape optimization of structures

Abstract

Structural Optimization has been & continues to be an active area of research offering scope and need to handle a wide & varied range of problems. Genetic Algorithms (GA) recently have been, with great success employed to solve structural engineering problems either in conjunction with traditional methods or as alternatives. Sizing, shape and topology design of trusses is an interesting exercise that has attracted the attention of researchers. However design problems have not been kept free of conceptual designs, defeating the possibility of evolution of more efficient & innovative designs, the reason being the complexity of the problem on hand. This paper presents GA based methodology of arriving at the best configuration & member sizing employing simultaneous mode of failure approach for problem formulation of the multi-objective type to yield a structure that satisfies functional & structural requirements optimally. © 2011 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved.