Particle Swarm Optimization Method in Optimization of Grid Shell Structures

Resumo

In general, there are two stages in designing a grid shell; creating a form and optimizing the form. Several different approaches such as evolutionary methods or gradient- based techniques have been used for optimization stage. Among evolutionary methods, researchers mostly have used the genetic algorithms (GA) whereas the particle swarm op- timization (PSO) has been shown to be more efficient than the GA in discrete problems. Hence, here, we use PSO method for improving the regularity of grid shell structures. It is illustrated how PSO method can be used in optimizing the grid shell structures. The tech- nique is explained step by step, and therefore there is no need for any previous knowledge of PSO.