Structural optimization plays certain role from concept development, numerical algorithm to practical solution in the performance and life-cycle based structural engineering. This presentation briefly reviews the history of structural optimization and its application in civil engineering. Structural topology optimization and surrogate model-based optimization approach together with metaheuristic algorithms is discussed in more detail. The relation of structural optimization with performance based and life-cycle based structural design is illustrated through some of our research work on reliability-based design optimization and damage-reduction optimum deign of structural system. These works provide some optimization methodology, design concept and numerical algorithms, which may facilitate the performance based and life-cycle based structural engineering.
KEYWORDSStructural optimization with uncertainty, performance-based design, topology optimization, reliability-based design optimization, damage-reduction optimum deign.