Analytical solutions for the minimum weight design of trusses by cylindrical algebraic decomposition

In this study, a method for the analytical evaluation of globally optimal solutions for the minimum weight design of trusses is presented. The basis of the methodology is the cylindrical algebraic decomposition algorithm, in tandem with powerful symbolic computation for the discovery of stationary points. Certain final answers to well-known benchmark problems are produced, while future improvements in both the algorithm implementation and the computer capabilities may allow the solution of even more difficult problems. To the best of our knowledge, no similar attempt can be found in the literature.