Optimization for structures of discrete-size elements

Abstract An optimization algorithm has been developed for finding the minimum weight design of the structure assembled with the material of discrete sizes. The essence of it is an efficient implicit enumeration of eliminating systematically the nonoptimal solutions. This algorithm is flexible in application with regard to the type of behavior constraints. Therefore, it is applicable to most practical problems of aerospace structure design. Examples are included in the paper to demonstrate the usefulness of this method.