ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to present the formulation and application of the coupled boundary and finite element method (BEM/FEM) and an evolutionary algorithm (EA) to optimization of plates stiffened by beams subjected to static or dynamic loads. The dual reciprocity BEM is used to model plates and the dynamic FEM formulation is used to model beams. The BEM and FEM models are combined by transforming the FEM equations into the BEM form. The problem of optimization is solved using an evolutionary algorithm. Numerical examples of optimization are shown.