Optimum design of steel truss arch bridges using a hybrid genetic algorithm

The design of steel truss arch bridges is formulated as an optimization problem. The objective function considered is the weight of the steel truss arch bridge. The objective function is minimized subjected to the design constraints of strength (stress) and serviceability.(deflection). An efficient, accurate, and robust algorithm is proposed for optimal design of steel truss arch bridges. The proposed algorithm integrates the concepts of the genetic algorithm (GA) and the finite element method. A real-coded/integer-coded method is used to realistically represent the values of the design variables. Three GA operators consisting of constraint aggregate selection procedure, arithmetic crossover, and non-uniform mutation are proposed. Finite element method is used to compute values of implicit objective functions. A numerical example involving a detailed computational model of a long span steel truss arch bridge with a main span of 552 m is presented to demonstrate the applicability and merits of the proposed method. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.