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A new first‐order interior feasible direction method for structural optimization
Author(s) -
Stander Nielen,
Snyman J. A.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/nme.1620362306
Subject(s) - robustness (evolution) , truss , mathematical optimization , minification , multiplier (economics) , mathematics , computer science , structural engineering , engineering , biochemistry , chemistry , macroeconomics , gene , economics
A new interior feasible direction method for optimization problems with linear objective functions but non‐linear constraints is proposed. The method is particularly suitable for weight minimization problems in structural design where the design variables are the cross‐sectional areas of members and arbitrary stress and displacement constraints are applied. Four truss structures are analysed and in each case the minimum weight consistent with or lower than that currently available in the literature is achieved. Although still expensive in its current version, the method is comparable in cost and robustness with other methods such as the ‘trust region’ multiplier method. Apart from one tolerance value, a reconnaissance parameter needs to be specified. The fact that the same value of the parameter was used for all the examples, and that the method is relatively insensitive to the choice thereof, confirms the robustness of the method.