Abstract
Geometrical optimization of trusses, i.e. optimization of the cross-sectional areas of the members and the coordinates of the joints, is solved by atwo-level approximation concept (TLAC). Displacements and element forces are approximated by first order Taylor series expansions in terms of generalized variables (or their reciprocal) which define the geometrical properties of the elements. This approximation leads to a high-qualityfirst level approximate problem (FA) which is solved by considering a sequence ofsecond level approximate problems (SA) in the design variable space. The method presented here represents a new approach to the solution of geometrical optimization problems. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the high efficiency of the proposed method.
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The method described in this paper was originally formulated by the author in the PR China
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Zhou, M. Geometrical optimization of trusses by a two-level approximation concept. Structural Optimization 1, 235–240 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01650953
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01650953