Structural optimization by simultaneous equilibration of spatial and material forces

Askes, H., Bargmann, S., Kuhl, E. and Steinmann, P. (2005) Structural optimization by simultaneous equilibration of spatial and material forces. Communications in Numerical Methods in Engineering, 21(8), pp. 433-442. (doi: 10.1002/cnm.758)

Abstract

In this contribution, a dual equilibrium methodology is applied to the shape optimization of trusses. The spatial co‐ordinates as well as the material (i.e. initial) co‐ordinates of the joints are taken as unknowns in the potential energy of the structure whereby the connectivity is fixed. The conjugated variables, i.e. spatial forces and material forces, are equilibrated. Whereas equilibration of the spatial forces is equivalent to finding the optimal joint displacements, equilibration of the material forces yields the optimal initial joint positions. The two sets of equilibrium equations are derived and solved in a completely coupled manner. With a proper linearization and a Newton–Raphson scheme, shape optimization of the truss can be achieved within a few iterations. This is demonstrated by two numerical examples.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Steinmann, Professor Paul
• Authors: Askes, H., Bargmann, S., Kuhl, E., and Steinmann, P.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
• Journal Name: Communications in Numerical Methods in Engineering
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1069-8299
• ISSN (Online): 1099-0887
• Published Online: 15 March 2005

Related URLs

• Other