Ranked-Based Sensitivity Analysis for Size Optimization of Structures

This article proposes a novel ranked-based method for size optimization of structures. This method uses violation-based sensitivity analysis and borderline adaptive sliding technique (ViS-BLAST) on the margin of feasible nonfeasible (FNF) design space. ViS-BLAST 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 space-degradation strategy (SDS). This strategy substantially degrades the high order searching space and then proceeds with the proposed ViS-BLAST search for the optimum design. Its robustness and effectiveness are then defied by some well-known benchmark examples. The ViS-BLAST not only speeds up the optimization procedure but also it ensures nonviolated optimum designs.