Optimal configuration design of structures using the binary enumeration technique
This paper presents an optimization methodology for the design of structural members. The objective is to develop a fully stressed design while satisfying constraints on the maximum stress value and maintenance of the connectivity of finite elements in the model. This work is based on altering the finite element model of structure by removing or keeping elements in the discretized design. Such a problem is categorized into a large-scale, non-convex and non-linear discrete problem. Thus, it can have many local optimum solutions and it is important to develop methodologies that find global optimum solutions as opposed to local. In this study, to solve the problem, a discrete optimization technique based on enumeration method is used. To improve the computational efficiency, the non-linear design problem has been linearized. An error intensity analysis is implemented to account for the difference between the non-linear and the linearized values. To illustrate the approach, several design examples are presented and examined.
design of structures fully stressed design discrete optimization shape optimization finite element analysis