Optimization of Large-Scale Frame Structures by Means of Improved Artificial Rabbits Optimization Algorithm

Authors

1 Department of Civil Engineering, Mah.C, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran

2 Department of Civil Engineering, Mah.C. Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran

10.22034/ceej.2025.64646.2399

Abstract

With the advancement of intelligent computing systems in recent decades, the optimization process of structures has been significantly improved. These systems provide accurate and fast analysis of complex structures and enable engineers to use more advanced and effective methods in the design and optimization of structures. This ability enables them to obtain optimal solutions in the shortest possible time by analyzing large and complex data. Thus, using intelligent computing systems accelerates and improves the accuracy of structural optimization. The main concern of this study is to investigate the applicability of the Artificial Rabbits Optimization (ARO) algorithm, as one of the recently developed metaheuristic algorithms, in the design optimization of large-scale frame structures. For numerical purposes, three frame structures are selected with different characteristics, an 8-story, single bay frame structure; a 15-story, 3-bay benchmark frame structure; and a 24-story, 3-bay frame structure. In order to improve the overall computational performance of the standard ARO algorithm, an enhanced version of this algorithm is proposed as I-ARO by using the Diagonal Linear Uniform (DLU) initialization process instead of the conventional Brownian random initialization scheme. By comparing the results of I-ARO with those of other approaches in the literature, it can be concluded that the DLU process significantly upgrades the optimization capability of the standard ARO algorithm, such that the improved algorithm provides lower structural weight in the considered design examples.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Arkar C, Domjan S, Medved S, “Lightweight composite timber façade wall with improved thermal response”, Sustainable Cities and Society, 2018, 38, 325-332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2018.01.011
Kazemzadeh Azad S, Hasançebi O, Kazemzadeh Azad S, “Upper bound strategy for metaheuristic-based design optimization of steel frames”, Advances in Engineering Software, 2013, 57, 19-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2012.11.016
Azad SK, “Enhanced hybrid metaheuristic algorithms for optimal sizing of steel truss structures with numerous discrete variables”, Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 2017, 55, 2159-2180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-016-1634-8
Block P, Schlueter A, Veenendaal D, Bakker J, Begle M, Hischier I, Hofer J, Jayathissa P, Maxwell I, Echenagucia TM, Nagy Z, Pigram D, Svetozarevic B, Torsing R, Verbeek J, Willmann A, Lydon G, “NEST HiLo: Investigating lightweight construction and adaptive energy systems”, Journal of Building Engineering, 2017, 12, 332-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2017.06.013
Borbon-Almada A, Rodríguez-Muñoz NA, Nájera-Trejo M, “Energy and Economic Impact on the Application of Low-Cost Lightweight Materials in Economic Housing Located in Dry Climates”, Sustainability, 2019. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061586
Camp CV, Pezeshk S, Cao G, “Optimized design of two-dimensional structures using a genetic algorithm”, Journal of Structural Engineering, 1998, 124 (5), 551-559. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1998)124:5(551)
Camp CV, Bichon BJ, Stovall SP, “Design of steel frames using ant colony optimization”, Journal of Structural Engineering, 2005, 131 (3), 369-379. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445 (2005)131:3(369)
Çarbaş S, “Optimum structural design of spatial steel frames via biogeography-based optimization”, Neural Computing and Applications, 2017, 28, 1525-1539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-015-2167-6
Choi SW, Oh B, Park JS, Park H, “Sustainable design model to reduce environmental impact of building construction with composite structures”, Journal of Cleaner Production, 2016, 137, 823-832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.07.174
Chwieduk D, “Towards sustainable-energy buildings”, Applied Energy, 2003, 76, 211-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-2619(03)00059-X
Degertekin SO, “Optimum design of steel frames using harmony search algorithm”, Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 2008, 36 (4),393-401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-007-0177-4
Greiner D, Emperador JM, Galván B, Méndez M, Winter G, “Engineering knowledge-based variance-reduction simulation and g-dominance for structural frame robust optimization”, Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 2013, 5. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/680359
Fadai A, Winter W, “Resource-efficient wood lightweight concrete composites in building constructions", Structural Engineering International, 2017, 27, 197204. https://doi.org/10.249/101686617X14881932435772
Herrmann C, Dewulf W, Hauschild M, Kaluza A, Kara S, Skerlos S, “Life cycle engineering of lightweight structures”, CIRP Annals, 2018, 67, 651-672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cirp.2018.05.008
Kashani A, Camp CV, Rostamian M, Azizi K, Gandomi A, “Population-based optimization in structural engineering: a review”, Artificial Intelligence Review, 2021, 55, 345-452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10462-021-10036-w
Kaveh A, Talatahari S, “Hybrid Algorithm of Harmony Search, Particle Swarm and Ant Colony for Structural Design Optimization”, In: Geem ZW, editor. Harmony Search Algorithms for Structural Design Optimization. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2009, 159-198. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03450-3_5
Kaveh A, Talatahari S, “An improved ant colony optimization for the design of planar steel frames”, Engineering Structures, 2010, 32 (3), 864-873. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2009.12.012
Kaveh A, Talatahari S, “Optimum design of skeletal structures using imperialist competitive algorithm”, Computers and structures, 2010, 88 (21-22), 1220-1229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2010.06.011
Khot NS, Venkayya VB, Berke L, “Optimum structural design with stability constraints”, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 1976, 10,1097-114. https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.1620100510
Kiani M, Yıldız A, “A comparative study of non-traditional methods for vehicle crashworthiness and nvh optimization”, Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering, 2016, 23, 723-734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11831-015-9155-y
Lagaros ND, Papadrakakis M, “Applied soft computing for optimum design of structures”, Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 2012, 45, 787-799. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-011-0741-9
Lagaros ND, “A general purpose real-world structural design optimization computing platform”, Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 2014, 49, 1047-1066. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-013-1027-1
Li Q, Bai Y, Gao W, “Improved initialization method for metaheuristic algorithms: A novel search space view”, IEEE Access, 2021, 9, 121366-121384. https://doi.org/ 10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3073480
Mahjoubi S, Bao Y, “Game theory‐based metaheuristics for structural design optimization”, Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 2021, 36, 1337-1353. https://doi.org/10.1111/mice.12661
Novais R, Senff L, Carvalheiras J, Labrincha J, “Bi-Layered Porous/Cork-Containing Waste-Based Inorganic Polymer Composites: Innovative Material towards Green Buildings”, Applied Sciences, 2020, 10 (9), 2995 https://doi.org/10.3390/app10092995
Payami Far T, Sojoudizadeh R, Azizian H, Rahimi L, “Seismic optimization of steel mega-braced frame with improved prairie dog metaheuristic optimization Al-gorithm”, The Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings, 2025, 34, e2207. https://doi.org/10.1002/tal.2207
Prayogo D, Santoso H, Budiman F, Jason M, “Layout, topology, and size optimization of steel frame design using metaheuristic algorithms: a comparative study”, Civil Engineering Dimension, 2022, 24 (1), 31-37 https://doi.org/10.9744/ced.24.1.31-37
Rohracher H, “Managing the technological transition to sustainable construction of buildings: a socio-technical perspective”, Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 2001, 13, 137-150. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537320120040491
Saka MP, Hasançebi O, Geem ZW, “Metaheuristics in structural optimization and discussions on harmony search algorithm”, Swarm and Evolutionary Computation, 2016, 28, 88-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.swevo.2016.01.005
Saka MP, Hasançebi O, Eser H, Geem ZW, “Historical evolution of structural optimization techniques for steel skeletal structures including industrial design applications”, Engineering Optimization, 2024, 57 (1), 169-129. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305215X.2024.2390130
Shoubi MV, Shoubi MV, Bagchi A, Shakiba Barough A, “Reducing the operational energy demand in buildings using building information modeling tools and sustainability approaches”, Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 2015, 6, 41-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2014.09.006
Talatahari S, Gandomi AH, Yang XS, Deb S, “Optimum design of frame structures using the eagle strategy with differential evolution”, Engineering Structures, 2015, 91, 16-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.02.026
Talatahari S, “Optimum performance-based seismic design of frames using metaheuristic optimization Algorithms”, Metaheuristic Applications in Structures and Infrastructures, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-398364-0.00017-6
Talatahari S, Gandomi AH, Yang X-S, Deb S, “Optimum design of frame structures using the Eagle Strategy with Differential Evolution”, Engineering Structures, 2015, 91, 16-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.02.026
Tuhus-Dubrow D, Krarti M, “Genetic-algorithm based approach to optimize building envelope design for residential buildings”, Building and Environment, 2010, 45, 1574-1581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.01.005
Ulusoy S, “Optimum design of timber structures under fire using metaheuristic algorithm”, Journal of the Croatian Association of Civil Engineers, 2022, 74 (2), 115-124. https://doi.org/10.14256/JCE.2911.2020
Yin S, Luo Q, Zhou Y, “IBMSMA: an indicator based multi-swarm slime mould algorithm for multiobjective truss optimization problems”, Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2023, 20 (3), 1333-1360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-022-00307-9
Wang L, Cao Q, Zhang Z, Mirjalili S, Zhao W, “Artificial rabbits’ optimization: A new bio-inspired meta-heuristic algorithm for solving engineering optimization problems”, Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 2022, 114, 105082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2022.105082
Zavala GR, Nebro AJ, Luna F, Coello Coello CC, “Structural design using multi-objective metaheuristics, Comparative study and application to a real-world problem”, Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 2016, 53, 545-566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-015-1291-3
Zambrano DF, Cruz JM, Aviña-Cervantes J, Ortíz-Bayliss JC, Yanez-Borjas JJ, Amaya, “Automatic design of metaheuristics for practical engineering applications”, IEEE Access, 2023, 7262-7276. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3236836