OPTIMAL DESIGN OF TAPERED LATTICED COLUMNS USING FOUR META-HEURISTIC OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHMS

In this paper, optimal design of tapered latticed columns under static loads is performed utilizing four algorithms comprised of Colliding Bodies Optimization, Enhanced Colliding Bodies Optimization, Particles Swarm Optimization and Democratic Particles Swarm Optimization. In this optimization the cost function is based on of the material used in nonprismatic latticed columns. For introducing the objective function, the eigenvalue equation for the column buckling in the plane, relationships for determining the basic stiffness matrix, and geometric stiffness matrix are utilized. In this study, some parameters are known as: applying buckling load and prevailing relation as mentioned before; and the remaining parameters are unknown consisting of desirable profile (from AISC manual) for chords and lacings, and the entire geometric shape of the tapered column. Finally, an example is optimized and the corresponding convergence curves are compared for four algorithms.