Layout Techniques of Homologous Truss Structures Using Genetic Algorithm.

It is difficult to obtain a global solution on a homologous truss structure using the traditional gradient-based algorithms, because it is a complicated combinatorial problem. In this paper, a technique to obtain homologous truss structure using a genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed. Namely, the structural arrangement and node coordinates are considered simultaneously with the design parameters. The homologous feature and other mechanical character of the structure are expressed as one objective function to obtain its minimum value. This technique is applied to a six-node truss. From the results, it is obvious that the proposed method is efficient and the layout problem of a homologous structure is a very complicated combinatorial one.