Multidisciplinary optimization for topology, shape of structural systems and design of control systems using genetic algorithms

Two methods are presented for multidisciplinary optimization for topology, shape of structural systems and designs of control systems. One is an improved method of our previous multidisciplinary optimization method utilizing genetic algorithms. The method consists of two optimization steps. Topology of structural system is optimally determined in the first step under the consideration on static and dynamic loads by making use of the genetic algorithms(GAs). Then a truss structure is designed for the obtained topology. The shapes of structures, collocation of control devices and feedback gains are simultaneously optimized in the second step using GAs. The improvement is done in the second step since two more phases were needed in the previous method. The other is a new method to optimize such all parameters as topology, shape, collocation of control devices and feedback gains simultaneously by making use of GAs. Those parameters of truss structures can be determined optimally at once by use of this method. Through numerical results obtained by the proposed two methods, the effectiveness and validity are confirmed.