An Improved Multilevel Structural Synthesis Method*

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Abstract
A general multilevel approach that is suitable for structural synthesis is presented. Some behavior quantities, chosen as the independent variables, are selected at the second level. The dependent design variables are optimized at the first level for any assumed behavior. The elastic analysis (third level) is repeated only after a complete solution of both levels. The number of independent variables in the proposed formulation is not affected by the number of loading conditions. Necessary conditions for a feasible solution are introduced. The main advantages of this approach are: (a) the number of implicit elastic analyses during the solution is relatively small, (b) the number of independent behavior variables is reduced, (c) the possibility of infeasible solutions at the first level is minimized, and (d) the first-level prpblem can be decomposed into several simple independent subproblems. The solution methodology is demonstrated for steel and reinforced concrete structural systems.

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