A SEGMENTAL METHOD FOR THE DISCRETE OPTIMUM DESIGN OF STRUCTURES

A simple method based upon linear programming is described for the design of minimum weight structures under the restrictions that member sizes and/or material properties may be chosen only from discrete sets. The types of structures considered are those composed of axial force bars, membrane plates and shear panels. The method avoids the combinatorial nature of discrete optimization by introducing the concept of segmental members. The segmental optimum design is found by linear programming. Its weight is a lower bound to the weight of the discrete optimum design. A simple method for achieving a discrete optimum design from a segmental optimum design is described. Several examples of discrete optimum truss designs are presented.