[A general approach to the structural shape optimization using genetic algorithms and geometric design elements].
Structural optimization is an engineering field which deal with the improvement of existing solutions or even more find new solutions that are better than the previous ones under some selected criterion. Shape optimization is a research area in this field and it is involved in developing new methodologies to find better structural design based on the shape as resistant element, as for example solutions with the less stress concentration zones and made with the minimum amount of material. The goal of this doctoral dissertation is to present and discuss a general structural shape optimization methodology able to optimize several structural systems or mechanical devices. The approach presented herein is based on global search optimization tools such as Genetic Algorithms and geometric design elements by means of beta-splines curves and surfaces representation. Finally the great versatility of the developed tool is presented and discussed with an application example.