Optimization of Braced Frames Against Dynamic Spectral Loadings Using Migration Genetic Algorithm

The purpose of optimization in civil engineering is design of a structure to achieve the minimum weight and construction cost of the structure in addition to satisfaction of the technical aspects of the problem. Braced frame is a type of structure with large application in civil engineering. The arrangement of bracings in different panels and length of joint beam play an important role in performance of these structures. Therefore in this study a spectral dynamic analysis performed on such frames in order to optimize them against dead, live and earthquake loadings. In this procedure Migration Genetic Algorithm is used. The basis of this algorithm is inspiriting the nature of live creatures and the way inheritance transfers among different generations to calculate the optimum of mathematical functions. The model is applied on two and three dimensional braced frames. The results showed that defining the proper input data such as target function and restrictions leads to accurate optimum design as output.