Abstract
The Ant Colony Optimization is an algorithm inspired to feeding behavior of swarm of ants. In this study, we have developed a topology optimization method using ACO. Moreover, for improving a convergence of optimal layout, this paper proposes a topology optimization method using the principal stress vector based on ACO. Because, a path from an ant nest to a bait is considered as a structural layout to build an optimal layout through tracing a force flow from force constraint to boundary condition into a structure. Therefore, main stress vector, i.e. principal stresses, of finite element as force flow information is applied to generate a path. In this paper, we demonstrated the developed topology optimization method based on ACO using von Mises stress and principal stress vector as indicator of ant's behavior for minimum weight problem under a stress constraint.
