Optimum Design of Pressure Vessels Using Hybrid HGP and Genetic Algorithm

This paper presents research work about the design and optimization of pressure vessels using Hybrid Heuristic Gradient Projection (HGP), Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) and Genetic Algorithms (GA). The design is concerned with the pressure loading conditions, intended internal utility volume, geometrical dimensions and the induced stresses. Cylindrical pressure vessels with hemispherical ends are considered. They are required to hold a definite volume under a specific pressure. The thicknesses of each hemispherical part and the cylindrical part satisfy the recommended ASME code. The design also satisfies allowable stress constraints. The design multi-objectives are to generate the optimum geometry to satisfy required specifications, performance and cost requirements. A developed HGP, SQP and GA algorithms are utilized to perform the optimization. The efficiency of the procedure is indicated and the optimum results in the form of optimum design charts are presented.