A Modified Big Bang–Big Crunch Algorithm for Structural Topology Optimization

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a topology optimization scheme based on big bang-big crunch (BB-BC) algorithm, inspired from the evolution of the universe called big bang and big crunch theory. In order to apply the BB-BC algorithm to topology optimization for static and dynamic stiffness problems, the parameters of the algorithm were transformed to those of topology optimization scheme. In addition, some parameters such as big bang (BB) range, BB search, population and non-exchange limit were newly introduced to topology optimization scheme. Also, a parametric study for the parameters involved in the topology optimization scheme was performed to reduce the number of parameters, and find the appropriate ranges for topology optimization. Some examples were provided to examine the effectiveness of the developed topology optimization scheme for both static and dynamic stiffness problems throughout comparing with other metaheuristic topology optimization algorithms and the BESO (bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization) method. It was verified that the suggested algorithm shows superior to the compared typical metaheuristic topology optimization algorithms in the viewpoints of stability, robustness, accuracy and the convergence rate.