Stochastic search and optimisation methods, based on the principles of natural biological evolution, have received considerable and increasing interest over the past decade. Broadly, evolutionary algorithms are a class of search techniques that includes genetic algorithms (GAs) studied by Holland(1975), evolutionary programming (EP), evolution strategies (ES) and genetic programming (GP). Genetic algorithms are well known in many disciplines for their efficient optimisation capabilities reported by Goldberg(1989). The rationale behind the power and efficiency of GAs (Holland 1971,1973), is the "Schema Theorem" or "The Fundamental Theorem of Genetic Algorithms". The existing literature lacks comparative studies between different GA implementations and reliability studies as applied to the optimal shape control of beams and plates. In addition, there is insufficient literature on the effects of variations of GA parameter settings on the population evolution.

Smart materials and structures, as was reviewed by Shakeri et al.(1996), presents active controls especially using piezoelectric materials. Since 1880 discovery of piezoelectric effects by the Curie brothers, linear and non-linear analysis have been studied by Tiersten (1969) and Crawley et al. (1991) respectively. As studied by Lee (1990), the theory and governing equations of distributed piezoelectric sensors and actuators are formulated subjected to plate theories. Applying to 1-dimensional beams, Osama (1997) has compared the classical model with the Timoshenko (1940) model. Adaptive shape control without optimisation has been studied by Chandrashekhara et al. (1997), while Ray (1998) has reported optimal control with piezoelectric layers. For more complete understanding of the modeling, estimation and control of smart materials, reference is made to Banks et al.(1996). Numerical methods for vibration control of smart structures are studied by Wang (2000).

Hitherto, most of the past research and development efforts have been directed towards controlling vibration characteristics of structures. Shape control of laminated beams using analytical methods incorporating linear and non-linear equations with higher-order shear-based theories has been reported by Ajit Achuthan (1999), but the actuator locations are fixed and plates are not studied. The existing literature lacks a comprehensive research studies into the effects of variations of the structural and smart actuator control configurations on the optimal shape control of both laminated beams and plates using numerical methods.