A Survey of Discrete Variable Optimization for Structural Design
Available methods for discrete variable structural optimization are reviewed. Methods are classified according to three categories: branch and bound, approximations using branch and bound,...

Discrete Optimal Design of 3D Frameworks
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...

Strategies Which Permit Multiple Discrete Section Properties per Member in 3D Frameworks
Strategies for discrete structural optimization of 3D steel frames with coupled section properties are presented. These strategies include linearized branch and bound, simulated annealing,...

MINLP and MILP Strategies for Discrete Sizing Structural Optimization Problems
We address an important practical problem of optimum structural design in the presence of discrete sizing constraints. In addition, the topology of the structure may vary as well. The...

Structural Shape Optimization: An Implementable Algorithm
A computational algorithm for optimal shape design of linearly elastic structures is presented. For this problem continuum as well as discrete formulations have been developed and analyzed...

Damage-Tolerant Design of Deterministic and Nondeterministic Structural Systems
Many structures are exposed to very hazardous environments and they are likely to be damaged during their lifetime. Damage occurrence may cause a dramatic reduction in the safety of structural...

Optimal Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures via Decomposition and a Variety of Search Strategies
This paper presents a strategy where the design of a reinforced concrete structure is not only automated, but optimized. The strategy employs decomposition to subdivide the problem into...

Simultaneous Design and Location of Actuators
A chance constrained model for determining optimal dynamic control parameters for structures subjected to probabilistic forcing amplitudes is presented. Optimal feedback control parameters...

Optimization of RC Frames with Reliability Concepts
Analysis and design optimization are considered simultaneously for reinforced concrete frames. Global displacements were considered as design variables. The nonlinear behavior of the elements...

Structural Optimization to Limit Natural Periods
It is necessary to limit the natural periods of some structures to control their response to dynamic loads. Floor systems with natural periods greater than approximately 0.15 seconds may...

Benchmark Problems for Shape Optimization in Plane Stress or Strain
The purpose of this paper is to bring to the attention of engineers and researchers who are working with finite element shape optimization techniques, the closed-form solutions for a unique...

Stiffness Optimization Methods for Lateral Systems of Buildings: A Theoretical Basis
The sizing of the members of the lateral resistance system for multi-story buildings is often controlled by stiffness requirements. In order to achieve economical buildings, it is important...

An Analysis Procedure for Cable Structures Using an Isoparametric Finite Element
The computer modeling and analysis of cable structures creates a major problem for the analyst in that the geometry of the cables is dependent on analysis results. The purpose of this...

Column Buckling Mode Classification Using a Back Propagation Neural Network
A back propagation neural network (Rumelhart, Hinton and Williams, 1986) is used to analyze and classify the buckling mode shapes of structural columns. The input patterns consist of vectors...

Finite Element Analysis and Design of Plywood Shear Walls
An integrated procedure for the analysis and design of rectangular plywood shear walls is presented and illustrated. The analysis is done using an in-house finite element program with...

A Parallel Fron Large-Scale Stris
A methodology for large-scale structural analysis using a parallel frontal solution algorithm is developed and implemented on the Alliant FX/80 Multiple Instructions Multiple Data (MIMD)...

Parallel Preconditioned Conjugate Gradient Methods for Structural Analysis Problems with Multiple Loadings
This paper describes the use of conjugate gradient method for finite element problems with multiple loading cases. Specifically, we introduce a modified conjugate gradient method for the...

Data Modelling for Steel Frame Structures
The first step to automate any facet of structural engineering is developing a suitable data representation upon which the computer program will operate. However, there is no standard...

What Object-Oriented Programming Can Mean for Structural Engineers
In recent years, object-oriented programming has become an important topic in the computational community. Although generally viewed as a programmers' tool, object-oriented...

Sediment Impediment to Boat Launching at Miller Park, City of Avon Lake, Ohio
In 1987 a boat launching facility was constructed at Miller Park, in the City of Avon Lake, Lorain County, Ohio (Figure 1). There have been problems with sediment buildup ever since it...

 

 

 

 

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