Optimum design of linear and nonlinear truss systems using genetic algorithm

Master ThesisIn this study; genetic algorithms is used to perform optimum design of plane and space truss systems for minimum weight. Besides geometrically nonlinear behavior of the plane and space truss systems are considered using a successive iterative technique to represent the behavior of the system better in the optimum design of the truss structures.The explanation for the finite element method and successive iteration technique is given and also application of Genetic Algorithm along with these methods to perform the optimum design of truss structures are shown by coding a computer program in Matlab.The comparison is made to figure out the possible differences between the results obtained from the optimum design of linear and nonlinear design of the truss systems. The reasons of the possible differences are searched and results obtained in the study are also compared with the ones evaluated by other researchers from the literature.It is seen that the optimum results using linear and nonlinear analysis are usually almost the same, and the differences are very small. It is also observed that it is necessary to go to an upper section if the section is on the limit when the linear analysis is used.