A New Approach for Conceptual Design of Structural Systems

The concepts of Transferred Force and Potential Transferred Force through various parts of the structure to its supports are explained in this paper. Methods for Conceptual (topology) design of linearly elastic structures based on the concepts are also investigated. The methods do not require any formal optimization techniques, and so they are quite simple to use. Non-dimensional parameters that indicate overall performance of the structure are defined and monitored during the redesign process. The methods are applied to truss structures and 2-D plates. Improved shapes and topologies are obtained from the viewpoint of force transfer. It is concluded that the concepts of Transferred and Potential Transferred Forces for the redesign of structures are viable approaches and should be developed further for practical applications. Also, redesign methods with the combined use of Transferred and Potential Transferred Forces give better solutions than the methods with the use of only Transferred Force. These methods can be used to design better civil infrastructure systems.

[1]  M. Zhou,et al.  Generalized shape optimization without homogenization , 1992 .

[2]  Grant P. Steven,et al.  An evolutionary structural optimization method for sizing problems with discrete design variables , 1998 .

[3]  N. Kikuchi,et al.  A homogenization method for shape and topology optimization , 1991 .

[4]  M. Bendsøe,et al.  Shape optimization of structures for multiple loading conditions using a homogenization method , 1992 .

[5]  Yi Min Xie,et al.  Evolutionary structural optimisation (ESO) using a bidirectional algorithm , 1998 .

[6]  Jasbir S. Arora,et al.  Topology design of material layout in structured composites of high stiffness and strength , 1997 .

[7]  M. Bendsøe,et al.  Generating optimal topologies in structural design using a homogenization method , 1988 .

[8]  Edward J. Haug,et al.  Methods of Design Sensitivity Analysis in Structural Optimization , 1979 .

[9]  C. Swan,et al.  Voigt–Reuss topology optimization for structures with linear elastic material behaviours , 1997 .

[10]  C. S. Jog,et al.  A new approach to variable-topology shape design using a constraint on perimeter , 1996 .

[11]  Grant P. Steven,et al.  A generalized evolutionary method for numerical topology optimization of structures under static loading conditions , 1998 .

[12]  J. Arora,et al.  New concepts of transferred and potential transferred forces in structures , 2001 .

[13]  Grant P. Steven,et al.  An evolutionary method for optimal design of plates with discrete variable thicknesses subject to constant weight , 1999 .

[14]  Grant P. Steven,et al.  Optimal design of multiple load case structures using an evolutionary procedure , 1994 .

[15]  O. Sigmund,et al.  Checkerboard patterns in layout optimization , 1995 .

[16]  Noboru Kikuchi,et al.  Topology and Generalized Layout Optimization of Elastic Structures , 1993 .

[17]  Jasbir S. Arora,et al.  Introduction to Optimum Design , 1988 .

[18]  M. Bendsøe.  Optimal shape design as a material distribution problem , 1989 .

[19]  Uri Kirsch,et al.  Efficient, Accurate Reanalysis for Structural Optimization , 1999 .

[20]  Iku Kosaka.  A conceptual design method for structures and structural materials , 1997 .

[21]  Rakesh K. Kapania,et al.  Truss Topology Optimization with Simultaneous Analysis and Design , 1994 .

[22]  Y. Xie,et al.  A simple evolutionary procedure for structural optimization , 1993 .

[23]  Niels Olhoff,et al.  Regularized formulation for optimal design of axisymmetric plates , 1982 .

[24]  Hirofumi Harasaki,et al.  A new class of evolutionary methods based on the concept of transferred force for structural design , 2001 .

[25]  Makoto Watabe,et al.  Structural Design of Tall Steel Buildings , 1979 .

[26]  Yi Min Xie,et al.  Evolutionary Structural Optimization , 1997 .

[27]  Ren-Jye Yang,et al.  Optimal topology design using linear programming , 1994 .

[28]  Jasbir S. Arora,et al.  Guide to structural optimization , 1997 .

[29]  N. Olhoff,et al.  An investigation concerning optimal design of solid elastic plates , 1981 .

[30]  Kunihiro Takahashi,et al.  Transferred load and its course in passenger car bodies , 1995 .

[31]  William Prager,et al.  Optimal layout of cantilever trusses , 1977 .

[32]  George I. N. Rozvany,et al.  Layout Optimization of Structures , 1995 .

[33]  Y. Xie,et al.  3D and multiple load case bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) , 1999 .