GENETIC ALGORITHMS AS AN APPROACH TO CONFIGURATION AND TOPOLOGY DESIGN

The genetic algorithm, a search and optimization technique based on th e theory of natural selection, is applied to problems of structural to pology design. An overview of the genetic algorithm will first describ e the genetics-based representations and operators used in a typical g enetic algorithm search. Then, a review of previous research in struct ural optimization is provided. A discretized design representation, an d methods for mapping genetic algorithm ''chromosomes'' into this repr esentation, is then detailed. Several examples of genetic algorithm-ba sed structural topology optimization are provided: we address the opti mization of cantilevered plate topologies, and we investigate methods for optimizing finely-discretized design domains. The genetic algorith m's ability to find families of highly-fit designs is also examined. F inally, a description of potential future work in genetic algorithm-ba sed structural topology optimization is offered.