Multi Objective Optimization of Orthogonal Stiffened Cylindrical Shells Using Genetic Algorithm

The genetic algorithm (GA) method is applied for multi-objective optimization of orthogonally stiffened cylindrical shells for maximizing the axial and radial general buckling loads. The real coding scheme is used for representing solution string. In analytical solution، Ritz method is applied and stiffeners are treated as discrete elements. Some examples of simply supported cylindrical shell are given to demonstrate the optimality of the solution. The effects of objectives weighting coefficients and bounding values of design variables on optimum solution are considered. Results show that optimal solution can vary with weighting coefficients، significantly. Also، significant axial and radial buckling loads increments can be achieved by selecting suitable stiffeners parameters and their distributions.