A new exterior point method for optimal truss topology design

In this paper an exterior point method is presented for optimal truss topology design using a non-linear structural model. The trusses – pin-jointed frames – have many practical applications in building construction and bridge as well as in aerospace engineering. The objective of optimization is the weight of the structure. The behavior constraints for member stresses and nodal displacements are implicit functions of design variables. Truss topology optimization based on the assumption of an initial ground structure and formulated in terms of member cross-sectional areas, member stresses and nodal displacements results in a large, non-linear and non-convex optimization problem. The method proposed is computationally attractive and has been tested on a large number of applications, some of which are presented.