This paper proposes a refined version of particle swarm optimization technique for the optimum design of steel structures. Swarm is composed of a number of particles and each particle in the swarm represents a candidate solution of the optimum design problem. Design constraints in accordance with ASD-AISC (Allowable Stress Design Code of American Institute of Steel Institution) are imposed by t...

the concepts of structural optimization was introduced about sixty years ago. smiths from the university of los angeles (california) for the first time has offered the combination of finite element method and optimization techniques to design optimum structures (1960). at present time, this techniques are generally understood and many softwares for this perpose have been developed. in this pape...

Pipe systems are often used to transfer moderate to medium water volumes between reservoirs or from well fields to consumers. Such systems consisting of an arbitrary number of reservoirs or other types of sources and sinks are considered here. The Lagrangean optimization principle is used for the determination of all pipe diameters giving minimum total cost of the system, when the individual di...

water conveyance systems (wcss) are costly infrastructures in terms of materials, construction, maintenance and energy requirements. much attention has been given to the application of optimization methods to minimize the costs associated with such infrastructures. historically, traditional optimization techniques have been used, such as linear and non-linear programming. in this paper, applica...

Deterring the optimum design of large-scale structures is a difficult task. Great number of design variables, largeness of the search space and controlling great number of design constraints are major preventive factors in performing optimum design of large-scale truss structures in a reasonable time. Meta-heuristic algorithms are known as one of the useful tools to deal with these problems. Th...