Improved Quantum-Behaved Particle Swarm Method for Optimizing Complex Thin Plate Structure

Abstract

A large number of heavy-duty asymmetric thin-plate box girder structures exist in large equipment, and their optimization can reduce the amount of material used and increase their load-carrying capacity. A new optimization method based on the Improved Quantum-Behaved Particle Swarm Optimization method (IQBPSO) is proposed in order to efficiently solve the mathematical model for the rationalization and optimization design of structures. The penalty function and Lévy flight strategy are considered in the optimization design of the improved algorithm, thus transforming the constrained optimization problem into an unconstrained optimization problem and improving the diversity and local optimization search capability of the quantum particle swarm. A mathematical model for the optimal design of box girder section size is established with the reduction of beam cross-sectional area as the objective function and the thin plate strength, rigidity, and stability of the thin slab as the constraints. The rapid lightweight design of the thin plate box beam was achieved, resulting in a 9.6% reduction in the manufacturing cost of the thin plate box beam. The optimization results are compared with several solutions of the thin slab box beams to verify the reliability and validity of the proposed optimization method.