Ranked Based Sensitivity Analysis for Size Optimization of Structures

Abstract

This article proposes a novel rankedbased method for size optimization of structures. This method uses violationbased sensitivity analysis and borderline adaptive sliding technique (ViSBLAST) on the margin of feasible nonfeasible (FNF) design space. ViSBLAST maybe considered a multiphase optimization technique, where in the first phase, the first arbitrary local optimum is found by few analyses and in the second phase, a sequence of local optimum points is found through jumps and BLASTs until the global optimum is found. In fact, this technique reaches a sensitive margin zone where the global optimum is located, with a small number of analyses, utilizing a spacedegradation strategy (SDS). This strategy substantially degrades the high order searching space and then proceeds with the proposed ViSBLAST search for the optimum design. Its robustness and effectiveness are then defied by some wellknown benchmark examples. The ViSBLAST not only speeds up the optimization procedure but also it ensures nonviolated optimum designs.