Optimal design of plane truss systems using genetic and memetic algorithms

The aim of this study is to obtain minimum weight designs of planar trusses subjected to static loads, under displacement and stress constraints. Genetic and Memetic Algorithms were used as optimization methods and obtaining the optimum solutions were tried. Matrix displacement method was employed for the analysis of the planar trusses. Stresses and displacements were restricted according to the relevant specifications. Optimum designs were performed four different trusses with varying number of bars. Minimum weights obtained using Genetic Algorithm were compared with the ones of Memetic Algorithm. The computing time, during optimum designs, was also compared for both algorithms. According to the obtained findings, more lightweight trusses are detected when Memetic Algorithm is used. However, it is observed that Memetic Algorithm has longer computing time as compared to the one of Genetic Algorithm. Key Words : Plane Truss Systems, Optimum Design, Genetic Algorithm, Memetik Algorithm