A Graph Problem of Structural Design

Without repeating an old argument [1, 2, 3, 4] in great detail, the state-of-the art of optimization in structural design is such that one of the next steps must be the automation of the selection of the structural configuration (connectivity). While there are both topological and geometrical considerations to be dealt with here, algorithms are beginning to appear (cf., e.g. [5]) which will take a given configuration and move the joints to produce an optimal or at least an improved design. The question which seems to have received the least study of all is how the pieces of a structure should be jointed together to produce an optimal configuration. For skeletal structures this is, of course, a graph problem.