Performance of Jaya algorithm in optimum design of cold-formed steel frames

This paper presents a research on optimum design of cold-formed steel space frames using a new algorithm method named Jaya, which has been developed in recent years. The most obvious difference of Jaya algorithm from other algorithms is that it does not need any control parameters for updating. However, Jaya algorithm is able to successfully reach the optimum solutions without any delay. In this study, in order to test the robustness and practicality of this novel algorithm technique, different steel space frame problems that have been studied with other algorithms in literature are examined. The minimum weight designs of the problems are carried out by selecting suitable C-section from a prepared list including 85 C-sections with lips taken from American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI 2008). A program is coded in MATLAB interacting with SAP2000 OAPI (Open Application Programming Interface) in order to obtain optimum solutions. The strength constraints according to AISI-LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design), lateral displacement constraints, inter-story drift constraints and geometrical constraints are taken into account in the analyses. Two different cold-formed steel space frames are taken from literature to research optimum solutions by using Jaya algorithm. The first steel space frame is 379-member and the second steel space frame is 1211-member. The results obtained using Jaya algorithm are compared with those in reference studies. The results prove that Jaya algorithm technique is quite successful and practical optimum design of cold-formed steel space frames.