ASSESSMENT OF MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF THE HOWE, PRATT AND BELGIUM WOOD TRUSS TYPE OPTIMIZED BY THE METHOD OF GENETIC ALGORITHMS

This paper presents the study of the optimized bi-dimensional wood structures, truss type, applying the method of genetic algorithms. Assessment is performed by means of a computer program called OPS (Optimization of Plane Structures). The purpose is to meet the optimum geometric configuration taking into account the volume reduction. Different strategies are considered for the positioning of diagonals and struts in the upper chord. It is concluded that the trussed system efficiency depends on the dimensions and the position of the members, where the purlin’s location is not mandatory for struts and diagonal positions.