Composite laminate design optimization by genetic algorithm with generalized elitist selection

Genetic algorithms with elitist selection based on cloning a best single in dividual (SI) from one generation to the next are popular, bur generalized elitist selection (GES) procedures have been proposed and tried in the past . The present paper explores several generalized elitist procedures for the design of composite laminates. It is shown that GES procedures are superio r to an SI procedure for two types of problems. The first type involves man y global optima, and the GES procedure can find several global optima more efficiently than the SI procedure. This may give a designer more design fre edom. The second type of problem involves an isolated optimum surrounded by many designs with performance that is very close to optimal. It is shown t hat GES procedures can find the optimum and near optimal designs much more easily and reliably than the SI procedure. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.