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Article Citation - WoS: 11Citation - Scopus: 12E-Constraint Guided Stochastic Search With Successive Seeding for Multi-Objective Optimization of Large-Scale Steel Double-Layer Grids(Elsevier, 2022) Azad, Saeid Kazemzadeh; Aminbakhsh, SamanThis paper proposes a design-driven structural optimization algorithm named e-constraint guided stochastic search (e-GSS) for multi-objective design optimization of large-scale steel double-layer grids having numerous discrete design variables. Based on the well-known e-constraint method, first, the multi-objective optimization problem is transformed into a set of single-objective optimization problems. Next, each single-objective optimization problem is tackled using an enhanced reformulation of the standard guided stochastic search algorithm proposed based on a stochastic maximum incremental/decremental step size approach. Moreover, a successive seeding strategy is employed in conjunction with the proposed e-GSS algorithm to improve its performance in multi-objective optimization of large-scale steel double-layer grids. The numerical results obtained through multi-objective optimization of three challenging test examples, namely a 1728-member double-layer compound barrel vault, a 2304-member double-layer scallop dome, and a 2400-member double-layer multi-radial dome, demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed e-GSS algorithm in generating Pareto fronts of the foregoing multi-objective structural optimization problems with up to 2400 distinct sizing variables.Article Citation - WoS: 25Citation - Scopus: 32High-Dimensional Optimization of Large-Scale Steel Truss Structures Using Guided Stochastic Search(Elsevier Science inc, 2021) Azad, Saeid Kazemzadeh; Aminbakhsh, SamanDespite a plethora of truss optimization algorithms devised in the recent literature of structural optimization, still high-dimensional large-scale truss optimization problems have not been properly tackled basically due to the excessive computational effort required to handle the foregoing instances. In this study, application of a recently developed design-driven heuristic, namely guided stochastic search (GSS), is extended to a more challenging class of truss optimization problems having thousands of design variables. Two variants of the algorithm, namely GSSA and GSSB, have been employed for sizing optimization of four high-dimensional examples of steel trusses, i.e., a 2075-member single-layer onion dome, a 2688-member double-layer open dome, a 6000-member doublelayer scallop dome, and a 15048-member double-layer grid as per AISC-LRFD specification. The numerical results obtained indicate the efficiency of GSSA and GSSB in handling high-dimensional instances of large-scale steel trusses with up to 15048 discrete design variables.Article Citation - Scopus: 1An Enhanced Guided Stochastic Search With Repair Deceleration Mechanism for Very High-Dimensional Optimization Problems of Steel Double-Layer Grids(Springer, 2024) Azad, Saeid Kazemzadeh; Aminbakhsh, Saman; Gandomi, Amir H.Finding reasonably good solutions using a fewer number of objective function evaluations has long been recognized as a good attribute of an optimization algorithm. This becomes more important, especially when dealing with very high-dimensional optimization problems, since contemporary algorithms often need a high number of iterations to converge. Furthermore, the excessive computational effort required to handle the large number of design variables involved in the optimization of large-scale steel double-layer grids with complex configurations is perceived as the main challenge for contemporary structural optimization techniques. This paper aims to enhance the convergence properties of the standard guided stochastic search (GSS) algorithm to handle computationally expensive and very high-dimensional optimization problems of steel double-layer grids. To this end, a repair deceleration mechanism (RDM) is proposed, and its efficiency is evaluated through challenging test examples of steel double-layer grids. First, parameter tuning based on rigorous analyses of two preliminary test instances is performed. Next, the usefulness of the proposed RDM is further investigated through two very high-dimensional instances of steel double-layer grids, namely a 21,212-member free-form double-layer grid, and a 25,514-member double-layer multi-dome, with 21,212 and 25,514 design variables, respectively. The obtained numerical results indicate that the proposed RDM can significantly enhance the convergence rate of the GSS algorithm, rendering it an efficient tool to handle very high-dimensional sizing optimization problems.Article Citation - WoS: 47Citation - Scopus: 45Enhanced Hybrid Metaheuristic Algorithms for Optimal Sizing of Steel Truss Structures With Numerous Discrete Variables(Springer, 2017) Azad, Saeid KazemzadehThe advent of modern computing technologies paved the way for development of numerous efficient structural design optimization tools in the recent decades. In the present study sizing optimization problem of steel truss structures having numerous discrete variables is tackled using combined forms of recently proposed metaheuristic techniques. Three guided, and three guided hybrid metaheuristic algorithms are developed by integrating a design oriented strategy to the stochastic search properties of three recently proposed metaheuristic optimization techniques, namely adaptive dimensional search, modified big bang-big crunch, and exponential big bang-big crunch algorithms. The performances of the proposed guided, and guided hybrid metaheuristic algorithms are compared to those of standard variants through optimum design of real-size steel truss structures with up to 728 design variables according to AISC-LRFD specification. The numerical results reveal that the hybrid form of adaptive dimensional search and exponential big bang-big crunch algorithm is the most promising algorithm amongst the other investigated techniques.Article Citation - WoS: 11Citation - Scopus: 13Automated Selection of Optimal Material for Pressurized Multi-Layer Composite Tubes Based on an Evolutionary Approach(Springer London Ltd, 2018) Azad, Saeid Kazemzadeh; Akis, TolgaDecision making on the configuration of material layers as well as thickness of each layer in composite assemblies has long been recognized as an optimization problem. Today, on the one hand, abundance of industrial alloys with different material properties and costs facilitates fabrication of more economical or light weight assemblies. On the other hand, in the design stage, availability of different alternative materials apparently increases the complexity of the design optimization problem and arises the need for efficient optimization techniques. In the present study, the well-known big bang-big crunch optimization algorithm is reformulated for optimum design of internally pressurized tightly fitted multi-layer composite tubes with axially constrained ends. An automated material selection and thickness optimization approach is employed for both weight and cost minimization of one-, two-, and three-layer tubes, and the obtained results are compared. The numerical results indicate the efficiency of the proposed approach in practical optimum design of multi-layer composite tubes under internal pressure and quantify the optimality of different composite assemblies compared to one-layer tubes.Article Citation - WoS: 11Citation - Scopus: 11A Standard Benchmarking Suite for Structural Optimization Algorithms: Iscso 2016-2022(Elsevier Science inc, 2023) Azad, Saeid Kazemzadeh; Azad, Saeıd Kazemzadeh; Azad, Sina Kazemzadeh; Azad, Saeıd Kazemzadeh; Department of Civil Engineering; Department of Civil EngineeringBenchmarking is an essential part of developing efficient structural optimization techniques. Despite the advent of numerous metaheuristic techniques for solving truss optimization problems, benchmarking new algorithms is often carried out using a selection of classic test examples which are indeed unchallenging for contemporary sophisticated optimization algorithms. Furthermore, the limited optimization results available in the literature on new test examples are usually not accurately comparable. This is typically due to the lack of infromation about the performance of the investigated algorithms and the inconsistencies between the studies in terms of adopted test examples for benchmarking, optimization problem formulation, maximum number of objective function evaluations and other similar issues. Accordingly, there exists a need for developing new standard test suites composed of easily reproducible challenging test examples with rigorous and comparable performance evaluation results of algorithms on these test suites. To this end, the present work aims to propose a new baseline for benchmarking structural optimization algorithms, using a set of challenging sizing and shape optimization problems of truss structures selected from the international student competition in structural optimization (ISCSO) instances. The most recent six structural optimization examples from the ISCSO are tackled using a representative metaheuristic structural optimization algorithm. The statistical results of all the optimization runs using the proposed benchmarking suite are provided to pave the way for more rigorous benchmarking of structural optimization algorithms.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1MO-ISCSO: A Challenging Benchmark Test Suite for Large-Scale Multi-Objective Structural Optimization(Elsevier Science inc, 2025) Azad, Saeid Kazemzadeh; Azad, Sina KazemzadehCurrent studies on the development of multi-objective algorithms for optimization of truss structures mainly depend on small-scale classic benchmark instances. This paper highlights the importance of establishing standard large-scale multi-objective structural optimization benchmarking suites for accurate validation of the proposed algorithms. A new benchmark test suite, called MO-ISCSO, is proposed for large-scale multi-objective structural optimization, based on the most recent optimization problems of the international student competition in structural optimization (ISCSO). Owing to the very small feasibility ratios of the MO-ISCSO instances, the effect of presence of feasible designs in the initial population of NSGA-II, GDE3, and AR-MOEA multi-objective optimization algorithms is investigated using the proposed test suite. The obtained numerical results indicate that seeding the initial population with feasible solutions helps the foregoing algorithms maintain a better balance between convergence and diversity. The statistical results form a baseline for future studies on developing efficient multi-objective structural optimization techniques.Article Citation - WoS: 33Citation - Scopus: 36Monitored Convergence Curve: a New Framework for Metaheuristic Structural Optimization Algorithms(Springer, 2019) Azad, Saeid KazemzadehMetaheuristic optimization algorithms, by nature, depend on random processes, and therefore, performing numerous algorithm runs is inevitable to locate a reasonably good solution. Although executing the algorithms for small-size or trivial structural optimization problems could be computationally affordable, when dealing with challenging optimization problems, there is almost no chance of performing numerous independent runs of metaheuristics in a timely manner. This difficulty is basically due to the limitations in computational technologies as well as the excessive computational cost of such problems. In such cases that the number of independent runs is limited to a small number, each optimization run becomes highly valuable and, therefore, the stability of results becomes much more significant. In the present study, it is attempted to monitor the convergence curve of each succeeding run of the algorithm with respect to the information obtained in the previous runs. An easy-to-implement yet efficient framework is proposed for metaheuristic structural optimization algorithms where every succeeding run is monitored at certain intervals named as solution monitoring period. The solution monitoring period is selected such that, at each run, on the one hand, the algorithm could explore the search space to improve the solution quality, and on the other hand, the algorithm is occasionally forced to return to the previously visited more promising solutions if it is not able to improve the solution after a certain number of iterations. The numerical experiments using challenging test instances with up to 354 design variables indicate that, in general, the proposed approach helps to improve the solution quality as well as the robustness or stability of results in metaheuristic structural optimization.Article Citation - WoS: 25Citation - Scopus: 29Optimum Design of Steel Braced Frames Considering Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction(Springer, 2019) Bybordiani, Milad; Azad, Saeid KazemzadehRecent studies on design optimization of steel frames considering soil-structure interaction have focused on static loading scenarios, and limited work has been conducted to address the design optimization under dynamic soil-structure interaction. In the present work, first, a platform is developed to perform optimization of steel frames under seismic loading considering dynamic soil-structure interaction (SSI) in order to quantify the effects of earthquake records on the optimum design. Next, verification of the adopted modeling technique is conducted using comparison of the results with the reference solution counterparts in frequency domain. For time history analyses, records from past events are selected and scaled to a target spectrum using simple scaling approach as well as spectrum matching technique. For sizing of the steel frames, a recently developed metaheuristic optimization algorithm, namely exponential big bang-big crunch optimization method, is employed. To alleviate the computational burden of the optimization process, the metaheuristic algorithm is integrated with the so-called upper bound strategy. Effects of factors such as the building height, presence of soil domain, and the utilized ground motion scaling technique are investigated and discussed. The numerical results obtained based on 5- and 10-story steel braced frame dual systems reveal that, although dynamic SSI reduced the seismic demands to some extent, given the final design pertains to different load combinations, the optimum weight difference is not considerable.Article Citation - WoS: 11Citation - Scopus: 10Multi-Stage Guided Stochastic Search for Optimization and Standardization of Free-Form Steel Double-Layer Grids(Elsevier Science inc, 2021) Azad, Saeid Kazemzadeh; Aminbakhsh, Saman; Shaban, Samer S. S.There has been a growing interest in the use of free-form structures with irregularly curved yet aesthetically pleasing configurations in the recent decades. Although design optimization of regular steel grids has been well addressed in the literature of structural optimization, still limited work has been devoted to optimum design of real-size free-form grid structures. On the one hand, a main obstacle when dealing with real-size free-form steel grids is the excessive computational effort associated with contemporary evolutionary optimization algorithms. On the other hand, it is generally perceived that the obtained final designs using conventional optimization algorithms may not necessarily be favored in practice if certain provisions are not stipulated by the algorithm to preclude an abundance of distinct steel section sizes in the final design. Hence, instead of offering a single optimum or near optimum design, it would be more desirable to provide the designer or decision maker with a Pareto front set of non-dominated design alternatives taking into account both the minimum weight as well as the assortment of available steel section sizes in the final design. Accordingly, in this paper, a computationally efficient multi-stage guided stochastic search algorithm is proposed for optimization and standardization of realsize free-form steel double-layer grids. A gradual design-oriented section elimination approach is followed where in the first optimization stage, a complete set of commercially available steel sections is introduced to the algorithm and in the succeeding stages, the size of section list is reduced by eliminating the redundant sizes. Two variants of the algorithm are employed to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed technique in challenging test examples of free-form steel double-layer grids, and the obtained Pareto fronts are plotted to illustrate the trade-off between minimum weight and assortment of steel section sizes in the final design.
