Steel Truss Optimization Using Genetic Algorithms and FEA

This research presents a procedure and a software application to optimize the topology, size and shape of plane trusses using a genetic algorithm and the finite element analysis to evaluate the fitness function. The paper describes the optimization technique, problem encoding and fitness evaluation. It then presents the results obtained by optimizing one benchmark and two original problems to show the procedure efficiency. The trusses are encoded in chromosomes using an original technique that allows the simultaneous optimization of topology, shape and size. The objective of the optimization is the total mass of the structure, subjected to stress and displacement constraints using an original penalty function. Stress and displacement analysis is performed using the finite element method. Both the FEA evaluation and the GA optimization itself are implemented in MATLAB.