Optimal topology and configuration design of trusses with stress and buckling constraints

A heuristic algorithm for optimal design of trusses is presented with account for stress and buckling constraints. The design variables are constituted by cross-sectional areas, configuration of nodes and the number of nodes and bars. Similarly to biological growth models, it is postulated that the structure evolves with the characteristic size parameter and the "bifurcation" of topology occurs with the generation of new nodes and bars in order to minimize the cost function. The first-order sensitivity derivatives provide the necessary information on topology variation and the optimality conditions for configuration and cross-sectional parameters. © Springer-Verlag 1999.