This book engages in an ongoing topic, such as the implementation of nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms, with a main concentration on optimization problems in different fields of engineering optimization applications. The chapters of the book provide concise overviews of various nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms, defining their profits in obtaining the optimal solutions of tiresome engineering design problems that cannot be efficiently resolved via conventional mathematical-based techniques. Thus, the chapters report on advanced studies on the applications of not only the traditional, but also the contemporary certain nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms to specific engineering optimization problems with single and multi-objectives. Harmony search, artificial bee colony, teaching learning-based optimization, electrostatic discharge, grasshopper, backtracking search, and interactive search are just some of the methods exhibited and consulted step by step in application contexts. The book is a perfect guide for graduate students, researchers, academicians, and professionals willing to use metaheuristic algorithms in engineering optimization applications.

G.I.N. Rozvany ASI Director, Professor of Structural Design, FB 10, Essen University, Essen, Germany Structural optimization deals with the optimal design of all systems that consist, at least partially, of solids and are subject to stresses and deformations. This inte grated discipline plays an increasingly important role in all branches of technology, including aerospace, structural, mechanical, civil and chemical engineering as well as energy generation and building technology. In fact, the design of most man made objects, ranging from space-ships and long-span bridges to tennis rackets and artificial organs, can be improved considerably if human intuition is enhanced by means of computer-aided, systematic decisions. In analysing highly complex structural systems in practice, discretization is un avoidable because closed-form analytical solutions are only available for relatively simple, idealized problems. To keep discretization errors to a minimum, it is de sirable to use a relatively large number of elements. Modern computer technology enables us to analyse systems with many thousand degrees of freedom. In the optimization of structural systems, however, most currently available methods are restricted to at most a few hundred variables or a few hundred active constraints.

These proceedings contain lectures presented at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Concurrent Engineering Tools and Technologies for Mechanical System Design held in Iowa City, Iowa, 25 May -5 June, 1992. Lectures were presented by leaders from Europe and North America in disciplines contributing to the emerging international focus on Concurrent Engineering of mechanical systems. Participants in the Institute were specialists from throughout NATO in disciplines constituting Concurrent Engineering, many of whom presented contributed papers during the Institute and all of whom participated actively in discussions on technical aspects of the subject. The proceedings are organized into the following five parts: Part 1 Basic Concepts and Methods Part 2 Application Sectors Part 3 Manufacturing Part 4 Design Sensitivity Analysis and Optimization Part 5 Virtual Prototyping and Human Factors Each of the parts is comprised of papers that present state-of-the-art concepts and methods in fields contributing to Concurrent Engineering of mechanical systems. The lead-off papers in each part are based on invited lectures, followed by papers based on contributed presentations made by participants in the Institute.

Three-dimensional trusses are designed for minimum weight, subject to constraints on: member stresses, Euler buckling, joint displacements and system natural frequencies. Multiple static load conditions are considered. The finite element displacement method of analysis is used and eigenvalues are calculated using the subspace iteration technique. All gradient information is calculated analytically. The design problem is cast as a multi-level numerical optimization problem. The joint coordinates are treated as system variables. For each proposed configuration, the member sizes are updated as a sub-optimization problem. This sub-problem is efficiently solved using approximation concepts in the reciprocal variable space. The multi-level approach is shown to be an effective technique which conveniently takes advantage of the most efficient methods available for the member sizing problem. Examples are presented to demonstrate the method. The optimum configuration is shown to be strongly dependent on the constraints which are imposed on the design. (Author).

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.

Three-dimensional trusses are designed for minimum weight, subject to constraints on: member stresses, Euler buckling, joint displacements and system natural frequencies. Multiple static load conditions are considered. The finite element displacement method of analysis is used and eigenvalues are calculated using the subspace iteration technique. All gradient information is calculated analytically. The design problem is cast as a multi-level numerical optimization problem. The joint coordinates are treated as system variables. For each proposed configuration, the member sizes are updated as a sub-optimization problem. This sub-problem is efficiently solved using approximation concepts in the reciprocal variable space. The multi-level approach is shown to be an effective technique which conveniently takes advantage of the most efficient methods available for the member sizing problem. Examples are presented to demonstrate the method. The optimum configuration is shown to be strongly dependent on the constraints which are imposed on the design. (Author).