| Weeks | Topics |
| 1 |
Introduction to optimization, constrained and unconstrained optimization, continuous and discrete optimization problems
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| 2 |
Introduction to nonlinear programming, iterative search process, determination of step size and search direction, Steepest-descent algorithm
|
| 3 |
Conjugate gradient method, Newton's method, Modified Newton's method, Quasi-Newton method, BFGS method
|
| 4 |
Introduction to heuristic optimization, Properties of heuristic optimization algorithms, comparison of heuristic and ohter optimization algorithms
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| 5 |
Introduction to genetic algorithms, definition of decision variables using chromosomes, generation of initial population
|
| 6 |
Selection, crossover and mutation operators in genetic algorithm, evaluation process
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| 7 |
Software development and solution of optimization problems dealing with civil engineering
|
| 8 |
Introduction to Harmony search optimization algorithm, Analogy between musical improvisation and optimization, definition of solution steps
|
| 9 |
Software development and solution of optimization problems dealing with civil engineering
|
| 10 |
Introduction of particle swarm optimization, Analogy between swarm intelligence and optimization, definition of solution steps
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| 11 |
Software development and solution of optimization problems dealing with civil engineering
|
| 12 |
Solution of constrained optimization problems with heuristic algorithms, penalty function approach
|
| 13 |
Application of different penalty functions
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| 14 |
Presentation of term projects
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