Meta-heuristic methods for optimization of truss structures with vibration frequency constraints

Vibration frequencies are important and easily attainable parameters, which can be used to observe the dynamic behavior of a structural system. In many cases, it is beneficial to place some restrictions on the natural frequencies of a structure for different purposes. As a well-known example, it is advantageous to constrain the vibration frequencies of a structural system so as to prevent resonance in response to external excitation. Another application is in space structures, which are supposed to operate in zero gravity conditions; constraining natural frequencies is crucial in order to control the dynamic response to different sources of vibration like orbit maintenance maneuvers. Attempting to optimize a weight- or cost-related objective function of a structure, while placing lower and/or upper bounds on its vibration frequencies, gives rise to the well-known problem of structural optimization with frequency constraints. This paper reviews different meta-heuristic optimization techniques utilized to address different examples of the problem.