Application of differential evolution algorithm in structural parameter estimation

A new approach of parameter estimation for structural system was developed using differential evolution (DE) algorithm. The inverse problem of parameter identification was formulated as an optimization problem. Based on the difference of informations from the observed dynamic time-history and calculated dynamic time-history, an objective function for the inverse problem was defined. DE was used to find global minimum of the objective function, which in turn was taken to solve the system parameters. DE is a new robust stochastic evolutionary computational algorithm. This novel heuristic technique aims to ensure the proper solution of the problem by adopting a global optimization approach. The potentialities of DE are its simple structure, easy use, convergence property, quality of solution, and robustness. The effectiveness of the proposed method was evaluated through the numerical simulations and an application to a real building.