Structural optimization to include material selection

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The mini‐max dual method ia applied for solving the material selection structural optimization problems. A somewhat general objective function is introduced to consider structural weight and material cost simultaneously. It is expressed by the sum of scaled structural weight and material cost. The present formulation can yield minimum cost and minimum weight designs as two distinct special cases. It is shown that practically useful intermediate optimal designs can exist between the two extremes. Only truss structures are considered as a representative example. One numerical example is provided to illustrate the change in optimal material distribution when various objective functions are employed. A particular advantage in using the dual method for the material selection problem is also described.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: