Discrete optimal design of trusses with stress and frequency constraints

Abstract

The problem of structural optimization of trusses subject to stress and frequency constraints is considered from a practical viewpoint. Assuming that the choice of members has to be from a discrete set of available sections, the solution is attempted using a mathematical programming approach and an approximate two‐step procedure involving a continuous variable optimization followed by a discrete programming algorithm. The latter approach is highly promising for problems involving stress and frequency constraints. Detailed results are presented using several benchmark problems.

Optimization of Large Steel Truss Structures Using Standard Cross Sections

“…First, the radius of gyration of the cross-section appears in the buckling constraint. In order to avoid doubling the number of design variables, various researchers have tried to relate the radius of gyration to the cross-sectional area approximately (for example, Adeli and Balasubramanyam, 1988, John and Ramakrishnan, 1990, Chan, 1992. Second, buckling constraints are nonlinear and implicit functions of design variables.…”