Optimum Design of Geodesic Steel Domes Under Code Provisions Using Metaheuristic Techniques

Abstract

Metaheuristic search techniques strongly employ randomized decisions while searching for solutions to structural optimization problems. These techniques play an increasingly important role for practically solving hard combinatorial problems from various domains. Over the past few years there has been considerable success in developing metaheuristic search algorithms as well as randomized systematic search methods for obtaining solutions to discrete programming problems. This paper examines minimum weight design of pinjointed geodesic steel domes using seven metaheuristic search techniques; namely, simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, evolution strategies, particle swarm optimizer, tabu search, ant colony optimization and harmony search methods. The optimum design problem of geodesic steel domes is formulated according to design limitations stipulated by ASD-AISC (Allowable Stress Design Code of American Institute of Steel Institution). The minimum design loads and combined load effects are established as specified by ASCE 7-98 (Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, American Society of Civil Engineers). A numerical example is presented, where seven metaheuristic methods are implemented to achieve minimum weight design of a 130member geodesic steel dome subjected to a total of eight combined load cases of dead, live, snow and temperature loads

Keywords

• structural optimization, discrete optimization, metaheuristic search techniques, minimum weight design, geodesic steel domes

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