Author(s)

J. Kilkki, J. Lampinen & H. Martikka

Abstract

Applying the differential evolution algorithm to the optimisation of cross sections of steel columns J. Kilkki \ 3. Lampinen * & H. Martikka * i y _ ' Department of Mechanical Engineering ^Department of Information Technology Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland Abstract The suitability of the evolution algorithm for mixed number optimisation is presented. The cross section of a welded or edged steel column is optimised using the total mass as the object function. The optimisation is repeated using different effective lengths of the column. The thickness of the material is chosen from the commonly available plate thicknesses. The widths and heights of the plate fields are used as continuous optimisation parameters. The discrete optimisation parameters are the thickness of the steel plates, the number of plate fields, and material properties. The selection of the population size, the mutation probability and the value of the differential factor have a strong effect on bo

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