Shape & Topology Optimum Design of Truss Structures Using Genetic Algorithms

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