Optimal design of trusses with account for topology variation

Abstract In this paper, a heuristic algorithm is presented for optimal design of trusses with varying cross-sectional parameters, configuration of nodes, and number of nodes and bars. The algorithm provides new nodes and bars at some states and for the optimal truss configuration. It is assumed that the structure evolves with the overall size parameter and a “bifurcation” of topology occurs with the generation of new nodes, in order to minimize the cost function. Both displacement and stress constraints can be introduced in the optimization procedure.