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The special features of some old residential complexes make reconstructing a better option than rebuilding. The complexity of redesign issues, the ability of computers to solve problems, and the capability of evolutionary optimization techniques in architecture make the use of these methods a priority over traditional processes. This paper, while introducing Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) as one of the swarm intelligence based algorithms, answers the question of how this algorithm can be used to redesign residential complexes. To achieve this, after reviewing the application of PSO algorithms in architectural space planning, the redesign criteria and constraints was divided into four categories; including primary design specifications, contact-related criteria, designer-related criteria and redesign-related constraints. After the quantification process of these criteria, how to implement the algorithm to achieve optimal plans for each of the five plan types available in high-rise apartment complex in Mashhad, Iran, was shown as a case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common method for assessing the energy potential of hydropower systems in Iran is the sequential streamflow routing with control on the energy-yield reliability. The method results in developing a reliability-based simulation (RBS) model that is used to analyze single-reservoir hydropower systems. In most of the cascade hydropower systems in the country, a single-reservoir RBS model is usually employed in the design and operation of each of the systems reservoirs. This paper presents a multireservoir RBS model considering the integrated operation of the systems. The model employs the general algorithm of the single-reservoir RBS model; however, with a single-period optimization submodel in determining releases from reservoirs during the system simulation. The objective function of the submodels minimizes the sum of reservoir releases and/or maximizes the sum of reservoir storages in each of the time periods, subject to a reliability constraint on the system’s energy yield. The single and multireservoir RBS models are applied in the Khersan hydropower system located in Iran as a case study. The multireservoir RBS, compared to the single-reservoir model, results in 7.9% excess firm-energy yield in reliability of 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the absence of either satellite ephemeris information or camera model, rational functions are introduced by many investigators as mathematical model for image to ground coordinate system transformation. The dependency of this method on many ground control points (GCPs), numerical complexity, particularly terms selection, can be regarded as the most known disadvantages of rational functions. This paper presents a mathematical solution to overcome these problems. Genetic algorithms are used as an intelligent method for optimum rational function terms selection. The results from an experimental test carried out over a test field in Iran are presented as utilizing an IKONOS Geo image. Different numbers of GCPs are fed through a variety of genetic algorithms (GAs) with different control parameter settings. Some initial constraints are introduced to make the process stable and fast. The residual errors at independent check points proved that sub-pixel accuracies can be achieved even when only seven and five GCPs are used. GAs could select rational function terms in such a way that numerical problems are avoided without the need to normalize image and ground coordinates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]