Computer-Automated Optimal Design of Structural Steel Frameworks

This lecture concerns the computer-automated design of least-weight structural frameworks. First, steel structures under static loads are considered and members are automatically sized using commercial standard steel sections in full conformance with steel design standard provisions for strength/stability and stiffness. The necessary features and functions of such a design system are identified, and the underlying synthesis strategy is discussed. This aspect of the design system is illustrated using a corresponding professional-practise software code that is applied for the least-weight design of a steel mill crane framework comprised of a variety of member types and subject to a number of load effects.