Introduction

The broad group of methods known collectively as Computational Intelligence (CI) has received much attention across all engineering disciplines in recent years. Many CI algorithms have their origin in artificial intelligence and are often based on mimicking natural systems or processes such as biological neural networks, evolution, swarming of social organisms, and human cognitive processes. They include algorithms in machine learning (e.g., artificial neural networks, Bayesian networks, and support vector machines), fuzzy modeling, stochastic modeling, evolutionary computation (e.g., genetic algorithms), and other optimization algorithms such as simulated annealing, ant colony, and particle swarm methods. CI methods have been applied in structural engineering and mechanics for response predictions, system identification, robust optimization and robust design, structural health monitoring, structural control, and other tasks.