Optimization of inerter system for seismic response control based on a modified genetic algorithm with differential crossover strategy

Abstract

The damping enhancement effect of the inerter system means that its energy dissipation efficiency can be improved with respect to the traditional dampers. Energy dissipation efficiency have been considered as the optimal design principle of the inerter system, however, the solution for optimized key parameters is difficult because of the special mechanical behavior of the inerter. A modified float-point encoding genetic algorithm is proposed in this study to realize the optimal design of the inerter system with maximized energy dissipation efficiency effectively and robustly. A novel and simple crossover strategy termed differential crossover is proposed and applied in the classical genetic algorithm to optimize the inerter system more effectively. The differential crossover strategy means that a new individual is generated based on the difference between two randomly selected individuals in the population. The mathematical expression for the optimization problem of the inerter system corresponding to the maximum energy dissipation efficiency design principle is established. Following the performance-oriented design concept, performance demand is taken as the constrained condition of the optimization problem. Case design confirms that the modified genetic algorithm can successfully solve the optimization problem of the inerter system and perform a better solving ability over the original genetic algorithms.

A negative stiffness inertial nonlinear energy sink

“…Unlike mass, an inerter provides a significantly larger and more adjustable inertance coefficient than its mass. The inerter has been widely used in vibration reduction design [19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. However, an NES with an inerter still has a large mass defect [26].…”