Implementation of genetic algorithm for optimum cutting pattern generation of wrinkle free finishing membrane structures

The purpose of this paper is to show a practical implementation of a genetic algorithm for minimizing membrane stresses discrepancies between the actual assembled equilibrium and the specified design state. The method prevents the surface wrinkle problems in membrane structures under service loading and determines an optimum cutting pattern, which accounts for the designed stresses of the membrane structures. Using the displacements of the 3-D surface as the key variables, the proposed method utilizes a geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis based upon the improved the stress-adapted numerical form finding of pre-stressed surfaces by the updated reference strategy. The model of genetic algorithm and the genetic operators are then designed to solve numerically the optimization problem. The method is validated through examples and compared with the available data. The analysis results show no significant differences between the assumed designed stresses and the actual stresses in the membrane.

► The use of FEM methods and genetic algorithms for optimum cutting membrane pieces is presented.
► The method provides the distortion and stress free lengths for the cutting of membrane pieces.
► The efficiency of this method is demonstrated on cutting generation of high curvature membranes.