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This paper deals with the application of the global optimization methods (evolutionary algorithms) to the optimization and identification problems in laminates. The simple and hybrid laminates are considered. There are two aims of the paper: i) to find the optimum stacking sequence of the laminates and ii) to identify the material constants of the laminates. The modal analysis methods are used in both cases. The distributed version of the evolutionary algorithm is used to reduce the computation time. The finite element method software is employed to solve the direct boundary-value problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The 0-1 knapsack problem is an open issue in discrete optimization problems, which plays an important role in real applications. In this paper, a new bio-inspired model is proposed to solve this problem. The proposed method has three main steps. First, the 0-1 knapsack problem is converted into a directed graph by the network converting algorithm. Then, for the purpose of using the amoeboid organism model, the longest path problem is transformed into the shortest path problem. Finally, the shortest path problem can be well handled by the amoeboid organism algorithm. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recently, a new class of stochastic optimization algorithm called SOMA (self-organizing migrating algorithm) was proposed in the literature. SOMA works on a population of potential solutions called specimen and it is based on the self-organizing behavior of groups of individuals in a “social environment”. This paper proposes a SOMA approach combined with a cultural algorithm (CSOMA) technique based on normative knowledge as an alternative method to solving the economic load dispatch problem of thermal generators with the valve-point effect. The classical SOMA and CSOMA approaches are validated for two test systems consisting of 13 and 40 thermal generators whose non-smooth fuel cost function takes into account the valve-point loading effects. Numerical results indicate that performance of the CSOMA present best results when compared with results of others optimization methods found in the literature in solving load dispatch problems with the valve-point effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A cultural algorithm with a differential evolution population is proposed in this paper. This cultural algorithm uses different knowledge sources to influence the variation operator of the differential evolution algorithm, in order to reduce the number of fitness function evaluations required to obtain competitive results. Comparisons are provided with respect to three techniques that are representative of the state-of-the-art in the area. The results obtained by our algorithm are similar (in quality) to those obtained by the other approaches with respect to which it was compared. However, our approach requires a lower number of fitness function evaluations than the others. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]