Topology optimization of large-scale trusses using ground structure approach with selective subsets of active bars

The paper presents the new method of finding the optimal topology of large0scale Michell trusses. The method is based on the ground structure approach with selective subsets of active bars. The solution is obtained in iterative way by sequential adding or removing successive bars. Such a strategy significantly reduces as well the memory as the processor time and hence enables effective optimization of very dense ground structures with large numbers of potential bars (the order of hundreds million). The results obtained indicate that the method is very promising due to its high accuracy and robustness. Despite the iterative approach the method presented in the paper uses a linear programming formulation of the optimization problem and assures finding the global optimum, hence it may be considered as the useful tool for finding new, yet unknown results in Michell truss theory.