ANT COLONY SEARCH METHOD IN PRACTICAL STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION

This paper is concerned with application and evaluation of ant colony optimization (ACO) method to practical structural optimization problems. In particular, a size optimum design of pin-jointed truss structures is considered with ACO such that the members are chosen from ready sections for minimum weight design. The application of the algorithm is demonstrated using two design examples with practical design considerations. Both examples are formulated according to provisions of ASD-AISC (Allowable Stress Design Code of American Institute of Steel Institution) specification. The results obtained are used to discuss the computational characteristics of ACO for optimum design of truss type structures.

Keywords:

ant colony optimization , stochastic search techniques , discrete optimum , steel truss structures , minimum weight design