Guide to Structural Optimization
Structural Engineering Institute of the ASCE, Technical Committee on Optimal Structural Design
New York, NY American Society of Civil Engineers 1997, c1997
What is Optimization; How to Optimize Light-Gauge, Cold-Formed Steel Beams; How to Optimize Composite Members; How to Optimize a Reinforced Concrete Column or Beam; How to Optimize Prestressed Concrete Beams; Sensitivity Analysis for Structural Design; How to Optimize a Reinforced Concrete Frame; How to Optimize Structural Steel Frameworks; How to Optimize Tall Steel Building Frameworks; How to Optimize Frames Using Plastic Design Concept; How to Incorporate Reliability in Structural Optimization; How to Optimize for Earthquake Loads; How to Optimize Structures for Shape; Basic Concepts of Optimum Design; Basic Concepts of Computational Methods for Optimum Design; An Optimality Criterion Method for Structural Optimization; The Dual Method for Discrete Optimization; Combinatorial Search; Stochastic Search; Index
Structural Engineering Institute. Technical Committee on Optimal Structural Design
Recent advances in computer methods for analysis and design have been of substantial aid to the designer in the creative process of designing the best (optimum) system. Optimization methods are seen to be at the heart of computer methods for designing engineering systems. With these methods, the designer can evaluate more alternatives, thus resulting in a better and more cost-effective design. The main purpose of this Guide is to describe the use of modern optimization methods with simple yet meaningful structural design samples. It emphasizes the formulation of design problems as optimization problems and includes discussion of the features and pitfalls of the statements of these problems. Optimum solutions are obtained and, where possible, compared with solutions obtained using traditional design procedures. Sample applications demonstrate and clarify the basic concepts and serve to show how and what can be achieved by optimum design methods.