abstract = "The majority of existing discrete truss optimization
methods focus primarily on optimizing global truss
topology using a ground structure approach, in which
all possible node and beam locations are specified a
priori. The ground structure discrete optimization
method has been shown to be restrictive as it limits
derivable solutions to what is explicitly defined.
Greater representational freedom can improve
performance. In this paper Grammatical Evolution is
applied. It can represent a variable number of nodes
and their locations on a continuum. A novel method of
connecting evolved nodes using a Delaunay triangulation
algorithm shows that fully triangulated, kinematically
stable structures can be generated. Discrete beamtruss
structures can be optimized without the need for any
information about the desired form of the solution
other than the design envelope. Our technique is
compared to existing discrete optimization techniques,
and notable savings in structure self weight are
demonstrated. In particular our new method can produce
results superior to those reported in the literature in
cases where the problem is ill-defined and the
structure of the solution is not known a priori.",