  This paper presents a genetic-based hybrid algorithm that combines the
exploration power of Genetic Algorithm (GA) with the exploitation capacity of a
phenotypical probabilistic local search algorithm. Though not limited to a
certain class of optimization problems, the proposed algorithm has been
"fine-tuned" to work particularly efficiently on the optimal design of planar
and space structures, a class of problems characterized by the large number of
design variables and constraints, high degree of non-linearity and multitude of
local minima. The proposed algorithm has been applied to the skeletal weight
reduction of various planar and spatial trusses and shown to be superior in all
of the cases,
