Optimising frame structures by different strategies of genetic algorithms

Abstract

Two frame structure optimisation problems are handled. Firstly, the constrained minimum-mass problem, for which both continuous and discrete cases with ideal (without buckling effect and its own gravitational load) and real (with buckling effect and its own gravitational load) models are solved with several types of genetic algorithms. Results for the continuous case (ideal model) are compared with referenced solutions of traditional optimisation methods. From state of the art, the chosen strategies include a generational genetic algorithm, a steady-state genetic algorithm and the CHC algorithm. Moreover, we suggest one elitist strategy linked to the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA) to solve the multiobjective problem of minimising simultaneously the number of different cross-section types and the mass with several constraints. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.