This article introduces two swarm intelligent algorithms, a group search optimizer (GSO) and an artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA). A single intelligent algorithm always has both merits in its specific formulation and deficiencies due to its inherent limitations. Therefore, we propose a mixture of these algorithms to create a new hybrid optimization algorithm known as the group search-artif...

This paper presents the optimization of metal-plate-connected plane timber trusses with special emphasis on joint flexibility. The optimization is performed by the non-linear programming approach. Since various truss design parameters such as type of truss configuration, span/depth ratio, number and type of diagonal and vertical members and type of joint connections simultaneously affect each o...

Problemspecific neural networks, multimembered evolutionary strategy, multicriteria optimization, pruning of neural networks, damage analysis, solution of inhomogeneous linear equation systems using problemspecific neural networks Abstract The integration of neural networks and a multimembered evolutionary strategy leads to a new multicriteria optimization approach for plane truss structures. C...

The paper presents a methodology to arrive at optimal truss designs using Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms. Ant Colony Optimization is a population-based, artificial multi-agent, general-search technique for the solution of difficult combinatorial problems with its theoretical roots based on the behavior of real ant colonies and the collective trail-laying and trail-following of its mem...

1. Abstract In the past few decades plastic layout optimization methods have been largely ignored in favour of those based upon elastic design principles. However, when multiple load cases are present elastic methods are generally computationally expensive and/or are prone to finding local optima. Therefore, they may not at present provide a suitable basis for practical truss layout optimizatio...

The population-based evolutionary algorithms have emerged as powerful mechanism for finding optimum solutions of complex optimization problems. A promising new evolutionary algorithm, differential evolution, has garnered significant attention in the engineering optimization research. Differential evolution has the advantage of incorporating a relatively simple and efficient form of mutation and...

The present study is an attempt to propose a mutation-based real-coded genetic algorithm (MBRCGA) for sizing and layout optimization of planar and spatial truss structures. The Gaussian mutation operator is used to create the reproduction operators. An adaptive tournament selection mechanism in combination with adaptive Gaussian mutation operators are proposed to achieve an effective search in ...