PSO-based approach for buckling analysis of shell structures with geometric imperfections (Q2298392)

Summary: The buckling loads of shell structures are sensitive to initial geometric imperfections. Conventional methods used to model geometric imperfections cannot determine the accuracy of buckling loads with high computational efficiency. A new computational approach based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is proposed to obtain the lower bound of the buckling load of shell structures with geometric imperfections. The proposed approach assumes a nodal geometric position using uncertain parameters. The buckling loads of the shell structures are then optimized using the PSO-based approach. Both academic and practical numerical examples have been thoroughly investigated. Thus, the applicability and accuracy of the proposed method is critically validated.