Structural topology optimization of braced steel frameworks using genetic programming

  • Authors:
  • Robert Baldock;Kristina Shea

  • Affiliations:
  • Engineering Design Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK;Product Development, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany

  • Venue:
  • EG-ICE'06 Proceedings of the 13th international conference on Intelligent Computing in Engineering and Architecture
  • Year:
  • 2006

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Abstract

This paper presents a genetic programming method for the topological optimization of bracing systems for steel frameworks. The method aims to create novel, but practical, optimally-directed design solutions, the derivation of which can be readily understood. Designs are represented as trees with one-bay, one-story cellular bracing units, operated on by design modification functions. Genetic operators (reproduction, crossover, mutation) are applied to trees in the development of subsequent populations. The bracing design for a three-bay, 12-story steel framework provides a preliminary test problem, giving promising initial results that reduce the structural mass of the bracing in comparison to previous published benchmarks for a displacement constraint based on design codes. Further method development and investigations are discussed.