Application of a gradient-based algorithm to structural optimization

Optimization methods have shown to be efficient at improving structural design, but their use is limited in the engineering practice by the difficulty of adapting state-of-the-art algorithms to particular engineering problems. This study proposes the use of a robust gradient-based algorithm, whose adaptation to a variety of design problems is more straightforward. The algorithm was first applied to truss geometry and beam shape optimization, both forming part of the increasingly popular class of structural form-finding problems. The results showed that the gradient-based method is an appropriate tool for defining shapes in structures. The robustness of the algorithm was verified, as a series of structural configurations were treated with similar efficiency. The gradient-based method was also applied to a more traditional structural design problem through the optimization of a steel girder, resulting in a hybrid scheme featuring a truss stiffener. Throughout the study, emphasis was laid on the practical computer implementation of the gradient-based algorithm in interaction with structural analysis tools.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Ghisbain, Pierre

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jerome J. Connor.

• Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/47758

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/47758