MINIMUM WEIGHT DESIGN OF COLD-FORMED STEEL BEAMS 29

The purpose of the information server is to obtain data from the user, define the cold-formed steel beam
design problem, and to provide the necessary information to the neural dynamics model. The user input is
obtained only once in the beginning. Information to the neural dynamics model, on the other hand, is provided
at each iteration based on the updated values of the design variables. The information server has three modules
that interact with one another. The Shapes module provides information on the selected shape to the other
modules and the neural dynamics model. It also computes the objective function (weight of the beam) and
its gradients. The design loads (bending moments and shear) are computed by the Beam analysis module.
This module is used only once in the beginning as the span, the bracing conditions, and the design loads are
constants in the optimization problem. The AISI Specifications module contains the provisions of both AISI
ASD and LRFD Specifications. At each iteration it provides the coefficients of the constraint functions and
their gradients to the neural dynamics model.
In general, the topology of a neural network is represented by a matrix of weighted connections between
vectors (or layers) of nodes. The input to a node in a layer is the weighted sum of outputs of nodes in the
connected layer(s). The output of a node is obtained by applying an appropriate activation function to the
input. The operation of the network is governed by a learning rule that controls the evolution of the
connection weights or the node outputs. This learning rule needs to converge to a stable state representing
the desired solution.
The topology of the neural dynamics model for optimization of cold-formed steel beams has one variable
layer and NL constraint layers. The variable layer has four (4) nodes corresponding to the design variables in
the design of cold-formed steel beams, that is, the cross-sectional dimensions identified in Figure 3.1. The
nodes in each constraint layer correspond to the design constraints for a particular loading case. All
constraint layers are fully interconnected with the variable layer. Both excitatory (having positive weights)
and inhibitory (having negative weights) connections are used to link the nodes. In addition to the
commonly used interlayer connections, recurrent connections are also used in the variable layer.
The neural dynamics algorithm for optimization of cold-formed steel beams follows:
Step 1: Set the iteration counter,
Step 2: Select an initial decision vector the initial penalty parameter ro, and the objective
function tolerance, , used in the stopping criterion.
Step 3: Calculate the gradients of the objective function and assign them to the inhibitory recurrent
connections of the variable layer. For the ith node in the variable layer, the weight of the recurrent
connection is:

(3.33)

Ci represents the direction of steepest descent of the objective function along Xi.
Step 4: Assign the coefficients of the constraint functions to the excitatory connections from the variable
layer to the constraint layer(s). The input to the jth node in the kth constraint layer is therefore the
magnitude of the constraint,
Step 5: Calculate the output of the nodes in the constraint layer(s).
The output of node j in layer k is given by:
(3.34)
This is the activation function of the node. The output is zero when the constraint is satisfied and equal to
the penalized constraint violation otherwise. If there is only one load case skip step 6 and go to step 7.