Flume structural optimization design using improved Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm

The traditional method applying to solve continuous variable optimization problems is not suit for flume structural optimization design with mixed discrete variable. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was employed to flume structural optimization design. At the same time, linear inertia weight and chaos variation operator are employed to improve basic PSO algorithm global searching capacity. Dynamic penalty function, to transform the constrained problem to unconstrained one, was adopted. The mathematical model of structural optimum design of the prestressed U-shell flumes is built. The result shows that, compared with the original design scheme, the optimization design scheme can greatly reduce the amount of prestressed reinforcement. The construction cost of both the flume and the whole project can be reduced accordingly.