Optimum design of frame structures using the Eagle Strategy with Differential Evolution

Modern metaheuristic algorithms are in general suited for global optimization. This paper combines the recently developed eagle strategy algorithm with differential evolution. The new algorithm, denoted as the ES-DE, is implemented by interfacing SAP2000 structural analysis code and MATLAB mathematical software. The performance of the ES-DE is evaluated by solving four benchmark problems where the objective is to minimize the weight of steel frames. The optimized designs obtained by the proposed algorithm are better than those found by the standard differential evolution algorithm and also very competitive with literature. The overall convergence behavior is significantly enhanced by the hybrid optimization strategy.