optimal design of vessels by using imperialist competitive algorithm

as the science of mechanics has been improved in recent years, different standards have been created in designing structures such as pressure vessels. most of these standards have been developed by means of experience and examination. today, most of researches, proceed the numerical analysis of the different elements of the pressure vessels and somehow they have put some questions on the previous standards. in this paper, offering an applicable model, it is shown that heuristic optimization methods such as genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization and especially imperialist competitive algorithm can be used as a simple and fast method for designing the vessels without breaking any of the engineering conditions and criteria. due to the present results of this research, these methods are caused a noticeable decrease of the vessel’s weight, with a high convergence speed, in a short time, compare to the design carried out in handbooks. you may observe that the imperialist competitive algorithm has a better performance and convergence than the two other methods.