Recurrent Neural Networks for Structural Optimization

Abstract

This paper presents an improvement for an artificial neural network paradigm that has shown significant potential for successful application to a class of optimization problems in structural engineering. The artificial neural network paradigm includes algorithms that belong to the class of single‐layer, relaxation‐type recurrent neural networks. The suggested improvement enhances the convergence performance and involves a technique that sets the values of weight parameters of the recurrent neural network algorithm. The complete procedure of solving an optimization problem with a single‐layer, relaxation‐type recurrent neural network is introduced. The discrete Hopfield network is employed to solve the weighted matching problem. A set of simulation experiments is performed to analyze the performance of the discrete Hopfield network. Simulation results confirm that the discrete Hopfield network locates a locally optimal solution after each relaxation once the weight parameters are specified as defined in the suggested technique.