DISCRETE VARIABLE TRUSS STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION USING BUCKLINGDYNAMIC CONSTRAINTS

Abstract

Using continuous variables in truss structural optimization results in solutions which have a large number ofdifferent cross section sizes whose specific dimensions would in practice be difficult or expensive to create. Thisapproach also creates optimal models which if varied, even slightly, result in structures which do not meet constraintcriteria. This research proposes the discretization of cross section sizes to standard sizes of stock produced for theparticular cross section and material, and a 1mm precision for node location when using shape optimization.Additionally, Euler buckling constraints are added to all models in order to achieve optimal solutions which can finduse in practical application. Several st andard test models of trusses from lite rature, which use continuous variables,are compared to the discrete variable models under the same conditions. Models are optimized for minimal weightusing sizing, shape, topology, and combinations of these approaches.