• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2006

The optimum grillage design belongs to nonlinear constrained optimization problem. The determination of beam scantlings for the grillage structure is a very crucial matter out of whole structural design process. The performance of optimization methods, based on penalty functions, is highly problem-dependent and many methods require additional tuning of some variables. This additional tuning is the influences of penalty coefficient, which depend strongly on the degree of constraint violation. Moreover, Binary-coded Genetic Algorithm (BGA) meets certain difficulties when dealing with continuous and/or discrete search spaces with large dimensions. With the above reasons, Real-coded Micro-Genetic Algorithm ($R{\mu}GA$) is proposed to find the optimum beam scantlings of the grillage structure without handling any of penalty functions. $R{\mu}GA$ can help in avoiding the premature convergence and search for global solution-spaces, because of its wide spread applicability, global perspective and inherent parallelism. Direct stiffness method is used as a numerical tool for the grillage analysis. In optimization study to find minimum weight, sensitivity study is carried out with varying beam configurations. From the simulation results, it has been concluded that the proposed $R{\mu}GA$ is an effective optimization tool for solving continuous and/or discrete nonlinear real-world optimization problems.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.3 no.1 s.7
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• pp.35-46
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• 2003

Conventional analysis and design of steel structures are performed using the assumption of a either fully rigid or pinned. However, every steel connection lies in between fully rigid and pinned connection. So, It is important to consider the connection for steel structure design. In this paper Computer-based second-order elastic analysis is used to calculate one story two bay and two story three bay for steel structures with semi-rigid connection. Genetic Algorithms(GAs) and Sequential Unconstrained Minized Technique(SUMT) dynamic programming is used to the method for optimum design of steel structures. The efficiency and validity of the developed continuous and discrete optimum design algorithm was verified by applying the algorithm to optimum design examples.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 1986

In this paper research results of developing a method of selecting design variables of an optimization problem from a finite set of pre-specified numbers, which can be utilized for the structural optimization with standardized structural members, is presented. The method first finds a continuous optimum under the assumption that design variables can be varied continuously. Then a pseudo-optimum is determined by selecting numbers from the set that are near to the continuous optimum and do not violate constraints. The pseudo-optimum is further improved to obtain the final discrete optimum from the set which minimizes cost function of the problem. In this research, the method is combined with the gradient projection optimization algorithm. The method is applied to several minimum weight truss optimization problems with constraints on the stresses, displacements, and design variables. As the results, it is found that the method can be efficiently applied to various optimization problems of which design variables must be chosen from a standard.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.129-135
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• 2001

The optimum design problems for the design of counterforted wall were formulated and computer programing to solve these problems were developed in this study. Both discrete optimization and continuous optimization method were applied to the design of counterforted wall and the results of these optimization methods were compared each other.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.351-368
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• 2014

This study presents a hunting search based optimum design algorithm for engineering optimization problems. Hunting search algorithm is an optimum design method inspired by group hunting of animals such as wolves, lions, and dolphins. Each of these hunters employs hunting in a different way. However, they are common in that all of them search for a prey in a group. Hunters encircle the prey and the ring of siege is tightened gradually until it is caught. Hunting search algorithm is employed for the automation of optimum design process, during which the design variables are selected for the minimum objective function value controlled by the design restrictions. Three different examples, namely welded beam, cellular beam and moment resisting steel frame are selected as numerical design problems and solved for the optimum solution. Each example differs in the following ways: Unlike welded beam design problem having continuous design variables, steel frame and cellular beam design problems include discrete design variables. Moreover, while the cellular beam is designed under the provisions of BS 5960, LRFD-AISC (Load and Resistant Factor Design-American Institute of Steel Construction) is considered for the formulation of moment resisting steel frame. Levy Flights is adapted to the simple hunting search algorithm for better search. For comparison, same design examples are also solved by using some other well-known search methods in the literature. Results reveal that hunting search shows good performance in finding optimum solutions for each design problem.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 1992

A Practical and easily applicable methods for the numerical analysis and the optimum design of continuous and horizontally curved two-way slab systems with twelve possible edge conditions are presented. The proposed method for the numerical structural analysis is based on the use of design moment coefficients which are derived from the elastic theory of thin curved plates. The optimum values are selected from within the feasible region in the design space defined by the limit state requirements. The sequential linear programming is introduced as an analytical method of nonlinear optimization. The optimum design variables, including a effective depth and transformed steel ratios per unit width of middle and column strips of slabs, are then determined.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.510-515
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• 2003

The main objective of this paper is to propose the optimal design method of welded plate girder bridges using genetic algorithm. The objective function considered is the total weight of the welded plate girder. The behavior and design constraints are formulated based on the Korean Railroad Bridge Design Code and DIC Code. Continuous design variables are used to define the cross-sectional dimensions of the member. The GAs (genetic algorithm) is used to solve the nonlinear programming problem. Several examples of minimum weight design are solved to illustrate the applicability of the proposed minimization algorithm. From the results of application examples, the optimum design of welded plate girder is successfully accomplished. Therefore, the proposed algorithm in this paper may be used efficiently and generally for the optimum design of welded plate girders.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.97-107
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• 2006

This study is structural analysis and continuous, discrete optimum design of braced steel frame structures under earthquake loads considering soil condition. The program which is able to perform simultaneously structural analysis and continuous, discrete optimum design, it is applied steel frame structures using unbraced, Z-braced, and X-braced types and analyze the program about static loads and seismic loads. The purpose of this study is to present proper braced type for seismic effects by comparing and analyzing results of analytic method about various cases using specially Newmark-Hall design spectrum, ATC design spectrum and ATC equivalent static analysis and finding minimum weight and design variables which satisfy the ultimate strength requirements of AISC-ASD specifications, the serviceability requirements and allowable story drift requirements of ATC-3-06 and various constraints.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.359-372
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• 1995

This study presents an efficient method for optimum design of plate and shell structures, when the design variables are continuous or discrete. Both sizing and shape design variables are considered. First the structural responses such as element forces are approximated in terms of some intermediate variables. By substituting these approximate relations into the original design problem, an explicit nonlinear approximate design task with high quality approximation is achieved. This problem with continuous variables, can be solved by means of numerical optimization techniques very efficiently, the results of which are then used for discrete variable optimization. Now, the approximate problem is converted into a sequence of second level approximation problems of separable form and each of which is solved by a dual strategy with discrete design variables. The approach is efficient in terms of the number of required structural analyses, as well as the overall computational cost of optimization. Examples are offered and compared with other methods to demonstrate the features of the proposed method.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.798-806
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• 2003

Structural optimization has been carried out in continuous or discrete design space. Methods for continuous design have been well developed though they are finding the local optima. On the contrary, the existing methods for discrete design are extremely expensive in computational cost or not robust. In this research, an algorithm using tabu search is developed fur the discrete structural designs. The tabu list and the neighbor function of the Tabu concepts are introduced to the algorithm. It defines the number of steps, the maximum number for random searches and the stop criteria. A tabu search is known as the heuristic approach while genetic algorithm and simulated annealing algorithm are attributed to the stochastic approach. It is shown that an algorithm using the tabu search with random moves has an advantage of discrete design. Furthermore, the suggested method finds the reliable optimum for the discrete design problems. The existing tabu search methods are reviewed. Subsequently, the suggested method is explained. The mathematical problems and structural design problems are investigated to show the validity of the proposed method. The results of the structural designs are compared with those from a genetic algorithm and an orthogonal array design.