Although the simulated annealing(SA) is one of the easiest optimization algorithms available, the huge number of function evaluations deters its use in structural optimizations. In order to apply SA in structural optimization efficiently the number of finite element analyses(function evaluations) has to be reduced as many as possible. Two methods are proposed in this paper. One is to form an estimated feasible region using linearized constraints and the SA searches proceed in the estimated feasible region. The other one begins SA search in an area containing higher design variable values. The search area is then gradually moved toward the constraint boundaries in the temperatures followed. Using these approaches it is hopeful that the number of finite element analyses in the infeasible region can be greatly reduced. The efficiency of SA is thus increased. Three examples show positive results by these methods.

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