Research Information System
ICSEA2014: International Civil Engineering Architecture Symposium for Acedemicians, Antalya, Turkey, 17 - 20 May 2014, pp.1-15
Space trusses, which are mostly used for covering large spans such as exhibition centers, shopping malls and stadiums, are popular type of large spanned structures due to their light weight and cost effectiveness. After development of meta-heuristic search methods optimum design of space trusses problem becomes an easy task for engineers despite the fact that these structures include a large number of nonlinear limitations and discrete design variables. Metaheuristic search methods use specific strategies that are generally inspired by nature. Genetic, Harmony Search, Ant Colony Optimization, Artificial Bee Colony and Firefly algorithms are examples of meta-heuristic methods that are used in structural optimization problems. Teacher and Learning Based Optimization (TLBO) algorithm is one of the newest addition to these methods. TLBO algorithm is inspired by the interaction and outcome of teacher and learners, and predicated on the effect of the influence and guidance of a teacher on the output of learners (students) in a class. The technique contains two complementary components: teaching phase and learning phase. In this study, TLBO algorithm based on optimal design approach for space roof trusses using aluminum is presented. The truss design is based on Aluminum Design Manual published by The Aluminum Association, Inc. Design constraints include the displacement limitations, strength and serviceability requirements for the truss members. TLBO technique is employed to determine its optimum truss design. The TLBO algorithm is adopted to obtain the minimum weight design with consideration to member size and to satisfy design constraints by selecting optimum sections for the truss members. The design example is presented to demonstrate the efficiency and to test the applicability of the proposed approach.