Truss Optimization Based on the Evolutionary Structural Optimization

Abstract

The Evolutionary Structural Optimization (ESO) as an important structural topology optimization method has been widely used in many fields of engineering optimization. However, due to some technical constraints, the use of ESO for the truss optimization is relatively less. A method for truss optimization that combines the ESO method and the Stress Ratio method is proposed in this paper. This method solves the problems of ESO for truss optimization that the sectional area of bars cannot be changed and the speed of optimization cannot be easily controlled. It can be widely used in truss optimization and can get the same good result as other methods (such as GA and SA, etc.). Furthermore, the method proposed in this paper has the advantage that it can be easily programmed in the commercial software (such as Ansys and Abaqus, etc.) owing to its relatively simple optimization principle.

A nodal‐based evolutionary optimization algorithm for frame structures

“…The ESO method also could quickly delete inefficient truss elements to get an optimized truss structure (Manickarajah et al., 2000). Combined with the ground structure method, this method could delete members with the lowest strain energy (Hu & Cheng, 2014; Kosaka et al., 2016).…”