Multi-objective topology optimization using evolutionary algorithms

This article deals with the comparative performance of some established multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) for structural topology optimization. Four multi-objective problems, having design objectives like structural compliance, natural frequency and mass, and subjected to constraints on stress, etc., are posed for performance testing. The MOEAs include Pareto archive evolution strategy (PAES), population-based incremental learning (PBIL), non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA), strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm (SPEA), and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MPSO). The various MOEAs are implemented to solve the problems. The ground element filtering (GEF) technique is used to suppress checkerboard patterns on topologies. The results obtained from the various optimizers are illustrated and compared. It is shown that PBIL is far superior to the others. The optimal topologies from using PBIL can be compared with those obtained by employing the classical gradient-based approach. It can be considered as a powerful tool for structural topological design.