shape optimization of slotted steel plate dampers using the ‎simulated annealing algorithm

This paper reports a procedure for maximizing the energy dissipation capacity (edc) of a slotted steel plater damper by changing its initial geometrical shape. the methodology uses a simulated annealing algorithm to iteratively vary the slots’ disposition, number, and geometry while improving the edc. this capacity is computed for each tested configuration from a finite element analysis in abaqus, considering a cyclic displacement protocol. five initial sections are enhanced, with the optimal one evoking a sand clock shape with two symmetric slots. the edc increment is higher than 300%. it is observed that the objective function is multi-modal, and the optimal solution depends on the initial design. the proposed procedure is computationally easy to implement and requires less than fifty iterations to guarantee convergence in all cases.