Geometrical aspects of optimum truss like structures for three‐force problem

In this paper, similarities between three‐force and three‐point non‐smooth optimization problems are highlighted. Starting from geometrical rules controlling discrete optimum solutions for three‐point problems a reasonable hypothesis is created for similar geometrical rules to control discrete optimum structures for three‐force problems. The hypothesis is confirmed through a numerical approach. A step‐by‐step method to graphically obtain a discrete optimum structure for any set of three balanced forces is provided. It is shown that discrete optimum structures with large number of elements converge to the known continuum optimum solutions in the literature.