Genetic Algorithms

In Chapter One, a revision and complementary analysis of three interesting cases where stochastic strategies are applied to get the optimal design of intensified schemes is presented. The revisited cases include multicomponent, extractive and reactive thermally coupled distillation. Chapter Two performs parameter optimisation on a genetic algorithm to skip the tuning parameter process during unmanned aerial vehicle path planning. Results show that truncation selection at 20% is highly recommended for genetic algorithm path planning application because of its low average path and computational costs. Chapter 3 describes the calibration of the numerical model of the Monte da Virgem telecommunications tower, located near the city of Porto, Portugal. The calibration of the numerical model of the tower relies on the application of an iterative method based on a genetic algorithm. Chapter 4 describes the genetic algorithm-based calibration procedure for a microscopic traffic simulation model, focusing on freeways and modern roundabouts. For both case studies, the genetic algorithm tool in MATLAB® was applied in order to reach the convergence between the outputs from Aimsun microscopic simulator and the observed data.