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Nature-inspired search algorithms have proved to be successful in solving real-world optimization problems. Firefly algorithm is a novel meta-heuristic algorithm which simulates the natural behavior of fireflies. In the present study, optimum design of truss structures with both sizing and geometry design variables is carried out using the firefly algorithm. Additionally, to improve the efficiency of the algorithm, modifications in the movement stage of artificial fireflies are proposed. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, optimum designs found are compared to the previously reported designs in the literature. Numerical results indicate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed approach.

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The present study is an attempt to propose a mutation-based real-coded genetic algorithm (MBRCGA) for sizing and layout optimization of planar and spatial truss structures. The Gaussian mutation operator is used to create the reproduction operators. An adaptive tournament selection mechanism in combination with adaptive Gaussian mutation operators are proposed to achieve an effective search in the design space. The standard deviation of design variables is used as a key factor in the adaptation of mutation operators. The reliability of the proposed algorithm is investigated in typical sizing and layout optimization problems with both discrete and continuous design variables. The numerical results clearly indicated the competitiveness of MBRCGA in comparison with previously presented methods in the literature.

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Water cycle algorithm (WCA) is a new metaheuristic algorithm which the fundamental concepts of WCA are derived from nature and are based on the observation of water cycle process and how rivers and streams flow to sea in the real world. In this paper, the task of sizing optimization of truss structures including discrete and continues variables carried out using WCA, and the optimization results were compared with other well-known optimizers. The obtained statistical results show that the WCA is able to provide faster convergence rate and also manages to achieve better optimal solutions compared to other efficient optimizers.

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The present study attempts to apply an efficient yet simple optimization (SOPT) algorithm to optimum design of truss structures under stress and displacement constraints. The computational efficiency of the technique is improved through avoiding unnecessary analyses during the course of optimization using the so-called upper bound strategy (UBS). The efficiency of the UBS integrated SOPT algorithm is evaluated through benchmark sizing optimization problems of truss structures and the numerical results are reported. A comparison of the numerical results attained using the SOPT algorithm with those of modern metaheuristic techniques demonstrates that the employed algorithm is capable of locating promising designs with considerably less computational effort.

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In this study, teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm is employed for the first time for optimization of real world truss bridges. The objective function considered is the weight of the structure subjected to design constraints including internal stress within bar elements and serviceability (deflection). Two examples demonstrate the effectiveness of TLBO algorithm in optimization of such structures. Various design groups have been considered for each problem and the results are compared. Both tensile and compressive stresses are taken into account. The results show that TLBO has a great intrinsic capability in problems involving nonlinear design criteria.

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Dynamic structural responses via time history analysis are highly dependent to characteristics of selected records as the seismic excitation. Ground motion scaling is a well-known solution to reduce such a dependency and increase reliability to the dynamic results. The present work, formulate a twofold problem for optimal spectral matching and performing consequent sizing optimization based on such scaled ground motion via numerical step-by-step analyses. Particle swarm optimization as a widely used meta-heuristic is specialized and improved to solve this problem treating a number of examples. The scaling error is evaluated using both traditional procedure and the developed method. In this regard, some issues are studied including the effect of structural period and shape of the design spectrum on the results. Contribution of the proposed enhancement on the standard particle swarm intelligence has improved its explorative capability resulting in higher efficiency of the algorithm.

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This paper proposes a modified sine cosine algorithm (MSCA) for discrete sizing optimization of truss structures. The original sine cosine algorithm (SCA) is a population-based metaheuristic that fluctuates the search agents about the best solution based on sine and cosine functions. The efficiency of the original SCA in solving standard optimization problems of well-known mathematical functions has been demonstrated in literature. However, its performance in tackling the discrete optimization problems of truss structures is not competitive compared with the existing metaheuristic algorithms. In the framework of the proposed MSCA, a number of worst solutions of the current population is replaced by some variants of the global best solution found so far. Moreover, an efficient mutation operator is added to the algorithm that reduces the probability of getting stuck in local optima. The efficiency of the proposed MSCA is illustrated through multiple benchmark optimization problems of truss structures.

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Partricular features of overpassing local optima and providing near-optimal soultion in practical time has led researchers to apply metaheuristics in several engineering problems. Optimal design of diagrids as one of the most efficient structural systems in tall buildings has been concerned here. Jaya algorithm as a recent paramter-less optimization method is employed to solve the problem using a set of available sections. Furthermore, passive congregation is embedded in Jaya without adding any extra control parameters. Applyig the method in a number of real-size structural examples including diagrids, exhibits performance improvement by the new hybrid algorithm with respect to Jaya.

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This study is devoted to discrete sizing optimization of truss structures employing an efficient discrete evolutionary meta-heuristic algorithm which uses the Newton gradient-based method as its updating scheme and it is named here as Newton Meta-heuristic Algorithm (NMA). In order to enable the NMA population-based meta-heuristic to effectively explore the discrete design space, a term containing the best solution found is added to the basic updating rule of the algorithm. The efficiency of the proposed NMA metaheuristic is illustrated by presenting five benchmark discrete truss optimization problems and comparing the results with literature. The numerical results demonstrate that the NMA is a robust and powerful meta-heuristic algorithm for dealing with the discrete sizing optimization problems of steel trusses.