Optimal design of truss structures using a new optimization algorithm based on global sensitivity analysis

Global sensitivity analysis (GSA) has been widely used to investigate the sensitivity of the model output with respect to its input parameters. In this paper a new single-solution search optimization algorithm is developed based on the GSA, and applied to the size optimization of truss structures. In this method the search space of the optimization is determined using the sensitivity indicator of variables. Unlike the common meta-heuristic algorithms, where all the variables are simultaneously changed in the optimization process, in this approach the sensitive variables of solution are iteratively changed more rapidly than the less sensitive ones in the search space. Comparisons of the present results with those of some previous population-based meta-heuristic algorithms demonstrate its capability, especially for decreasing the number of fitness functions evaluations, in solving the presented benchmark problems.