Keywords: continuous hybrid meta-heuristic method, ANGEL.

We present in this paper an application of the ant colony optimization method [1,2] for continuous and discrete size optimization of space trusses with stability constraints. The presented continuous size optimization method is a new application of the classical ant colony optimization technique. In order to improve the quality of the solutions obtained, an efficient and local search procedure was applied. In the solution of the locally linearized sub-problems a fast interior point solver was applied.

Most papers on the ant colony optimization are focused on proof-of-concept applications. In this paper "how and why the method works" is to be demonstrated. This is because finding solutions may help in improving its application.

The geometrically and materially nonlinear space-truss roof system [3,4] is formulated as a large displacement structural model. The method of elastic-plastic collapse analysis is based on a path-following method. The applied method is a combination of the perturbation technique of the stability theory and the non-linear modification of the classical linear homotopy method. With the help of the higher-order predictor-corrector terms, the method is able to follow the load-deflection path even for the case of elastic-plastic material law.

1

C. Blum, "Ant colony optimization: Introduction and recent trends", Physics of Life Review, 2, p.353-373, 2005. doi:10.1016/j.plrev.2005.10.001

2

M. Dorigo and C. Blum, "Ant colony optimization Theory: A survey", Theoretical Computer Science, 344, p.243-278, 2005. doi:10.1016/j.tcs.2005.05.020

3

A. Csébfalvi, "A simulated annealing algorithm for discrete minimal weight design of shallow space trusses with stability constraints", WCCM-V Fifth World Congress on Computational Mechanics, July 7-12, 2002, Vienna, Austria, eds. H. A. Mang, F. G. Rammerstorfer, J. Eberhardsteiner, On-line publication (ISBN 3 9501554-0-6) Paper-ID: 81234, 2002.

4

A. Csébfalvi, "Probabilistic Diversification and Intensification in Local Search for Optimal Design of Shallow Space Trusses", Proc., European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2004) P. Neittaanmäki, T. Rossi, K. Majava, and O. Pironneau (eds.) I. Lasiecka (assoc. ed.), Vol.I, p.355+CD, 2004.

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