GENETIC ALGORITHM-BASED STRUCTURAL TOPOLOGY DESIGN WITH COMPLIANCE AND TOPOLOGY SIMPLIFICATION CONSIDERATIONS

The genetic algorithm (GA), an optimization technique based on the the ory of natural selection is applied to structural topology design prob lems. After reviewing the genetic algorithm and previous research in s tructural topology optimization, we detail the chromosome-to-design re presentation which enables the genetic algorithm to perform structural topology optimization. Extending our prior investigations, this artic le first compares our genetic-algorithm-based technique with homogeniz ation methods in the minimization of a structure's compliance subject to a maximum volume constraint. We then use our technique to generate topologies combining high structural performance with a variety of mat erial connectivity characteristics which arise directly from our discr etized design representation. After discussing our findings, we descri be potential future work.