Optimizing the aerodynamic structure of composite insulators can guarantee the safe operation of power systems. In this study, we construct a simulation model for composite insulator contaminant deposition using the COMSOL simulation software, and the rationality of the simulation model and method is verified through wind tunnel experiments. Taking the FXBW4-110/100 composite insulator as an example, we adopt a progressive optimization plan to explore the impacts of shed spacing s, and shed inclination angles α and β on its contaminant deposition characteristics under DC and AC voltages. Based on the numerical simulation results, we analyze the antifouling performance of insulators before and after structural optimization. The results indicate the following: 1) The contaminant deposition of the insulator under AC and DC voltages is negatively correlated with the shed spacing s, but positively correlated with the lower inclination angle β. 2) Under AC voltages, the contaminant deposition of the insulator increases with the upper inclination angle α, while under DC voltages, the contaminant deposition shows an uptrend first, then a downtrend and then an uptrend again with the increase of the upper inclination angle α. 3) Compared with the original model, the AC-optimized model ( α = 6°, β = 2° and s = 98 mm) with a larger shed spacing s, and smaller shed inclination angles α and β showed superior antifouling performance at wind speeds of no less than 2 m/s, and under the typical conditions ( v = 2.5 m/s, d = 20 μm, and ρ = 2 200 kg/m ³), its contaminant deposition is 15% less than that of the original model ( α = 10°, β = 2° and s = 80 mm).

The primary aim of this paper is to study the optimization of rigid frame bridge parameters. With a three-span continuous rigid frame bridge as the engineering background, finite element models were established. Then an index about bridge force condition was proposed to calculate the optimal side-to-mid span ratio with different side-to-mid span ratio parameters. Based on the ratio, the values of the girder depth at the pier and the bottom curve degree of the box-girder were taken as parameters in their common ranges for further optimization. A comprehensive multi-objective evaluation index correlated with the mid-span section stress, the mid-span deflection, and the concrete consumption was proposed to do fine optimization through the genetic algorithm method. The result of this study shows that the genetic algorithm is an effective method for bridge optimization and could provide better girder design parameter combinations for the comprehensive performance, and the optimal result could be obtained in the continuous parameter definition domains. It also shows that a larger girder depth at the pier to span ratio and a smaller curve degree in their common ranges should be taken for the bridge’s comprehensive performance.