Two-stage Optimization Based on Force Method for Damage Identification of Planar and Space Trusses

In this study, an efficient two-stage optimization procedure based on the force method is proposed to properly identify the sites and extents of multiple damages in the planar and space truss structures. In the first stage, the elements which have the higher probability of damages are selected by using the anti-optimization (AO) method and the weighed sum procedure. In the second stage, the genetic algorithm (GA) is performed to determine the actual damage sites and their extents based on the force method. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method are proved through the planar and space truss structures. The results from the present study indicate that the combination of the first stage with the second one can provide a reliable tool to accurately and efficiently identify the multiple damages of truss structures.