Discrete Optimal Design of 3D Frameworks

by G. E. Cameron, Univ of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,
Lei Xu, Univ of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,
D. E. Grierson, Univ of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Electronic Computation

Abstract:

The paper describes a discrete optimization method for the least-weight design of three-dimensional (3D) steel building frameworks. The method involves the coordinated application of structural analysis, sensitivity analysis and optimization techniques to establish an optimal design using standard steel sections that simultaneously satisfies all stiffness and strength provisions of the governing (Canadian or American) steel design code. The design process is iterative in nature and remarkably efficient, with the total number of iterations required to achieve an optimal design being generally small and almost independent of the complexity of the structure. The design of a 3D steel building framework is presented to illustrate the method.

Subject Headings: Steel structures | Building design | Sensitivity analysis | Steel frames | Structural analysis | Optimization models | Three-dimensional analysis

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search