Shape optimal design using GA and BEM

This paper describes a shape optimization scheme of two-dimensional continuum structures by genetic algorithm (GA) and boundary element method (BEM). The profiles of the objects under consideration are represented by Free-Form Deformation (FFD) method. The chromosomes for the profiles are defined by the FFD control points. The population constructed by many chromosomes is modified by the genetic operations such as the selection, the crossover and the mutation in order to determine the profile satisfying the design objective. The boundary element method is employed for estimating the fitness functions. The present method is applied to the shape optimization of a cantilever beam.