Multimaterial layout optimization of truss structures via an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm

•Few studies focus on skeletal structure multimaterial optimization problem.•A mathematic formulation of truss structures multimaterial layout optimization problem is proposed and solved efficiently.•An improved PSO termed GEMPSO is introduced according to two core strategies, gradient estimation an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computers & structures 2019-10, Vol.222 (C), p.10-24
Main Authors: Zhengtong, Han, Zhengqi, Gu, Xiaokui, Ma, Wanglin, Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Gradient estimation
Improved particle swarm optimization (PSO)
Layouts
Multimaterial layout optimization
Multiple subpopulations
Optimization algorithms
Particle swarm optimization
Trusses
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Summary:•Few studies focus on skeletal structure multimaterial optimization problem.•A mathematic formulation of truss structures multimaterial layout optimization problem is proposed and solved efficiently.•An improved PSO termed GEMPSO is introduced according to two core strategies, gradient estimation and multiple subpopulations.•Obtained multimaterial structures have lower costs than that of the corresponding single-material structures along with a competitive structure mass. This paper presents an extension of the basic truss layout optimization, in which the use of various materials is considered. A novel improved version of the particle swarm optimization algorithm, namely, GEMPSO, is developed for solving this problem. The enhancement is realized by introducing two core strategies: gradient estimation and multiple subpopulation division. The efficiency and reliability of the proposed improvements are demonstrated on a set of six test problems and three truss structures. Two multimaterial layout optimizations of truss structures are performed. The numerical results reveal that the appropriate partial use of expensive stronger materials can reduce the overall cost of multimaterial structures.
ISSN:0045-7949
1879-2243
DOI:10.1016/j.compstruc.2019.06.004