The application of a genetic algorithm (GA) to the optimal design of a ten member, plane truss is considered. Genetic algorithms are search procedures based upon the mechanics of natural genetics, combining a Darwinian survival-of-the-fittest with a randomized, yet structured information exchange among a population of artificial chromosomes. Computer results show surprising speed as near-optimal results are obtained after examining a small fraction of the search space. The method is ready for application to more complex problems of engineering optimization.
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Goldberg et al. (1986) studied this question.