Elastic Stability Constraint-Based Method for Joint Point Distribution Optimization of the Lattice Boom Head Section

Based on Timoshenko theory, the truss boom can be simplified into Timoshenko beam. The mathematic model based on such simplification has been set up and aims at minimizing buckling strain energy. The optimizing analysis program has been formulated in MATLAB, and the genetic algorithm has been adopted to optimize the joint point distribution of the truss boom head section. Comparison between the overall stability of the optimal and original results is drawn to verify the reasonability of the proposed model. The proposed model can be effectively used for optimizing the joint point distribution of the truss boom head section.