Optimizing the Cross Section of Cold-Rolled Steel Beams Using a Genetic Algorithm: Avoiding Local Optima Using Adaptive Mutation Control, Flexible Restriction Handling and Inbreed Avoiding Mating Strategies

In modern mechanical engineering and steelwork the use of cold-rolled steel sections is a standard method. These sections should be mechanically stable on the one hand and cost efficient on the other hand. To decide what profile suits for a certain case is a constrained optimization problem which is in general non convex, i.e. several local optima exist.