Michell Structures


Book Description

The book covers the theory of Michell structures being the lightest and fully stressed systems of bars, designed within a given domain, possibly within the whole space, transmitting a given load towards a given support. Discovered already in 1904 by A.G.M. Michell, the structures named after him have attracted constant attention due to their peculiar feature of disclosing the optimal streams of stresses equilibrating a given load and thus determining the optimal layout of bars. The optimal layouts emerge from among all possible structural topologies, thus constituting unique designs being simultaneously light and stiff. The optimal structures turn out to be embedded in optimal vector fields covering the whole feasible domain. Key features include: a variationally consistent theory of bar systems, thin plates in bending and membrane shells; recapitulation of the theory of optimum design of trusses of minimum weight or of minimal compliance; the basis of 2D Michell theory for a single load case; kinematic and static approaches; 2D benchmark constructions including Hemp’s structures and optimal cantilevers; L-shape domain problems, three forces problem in 2D, bridge problems; revisiting the old - and delivering new - 3D benchmark solutions; extension to multiple load conditions; Prager-Rozvany grillages; the theory of funiculars and archgrids; the methods of optimum design of shape and material inspired by the theory of Michell structures, industrial applications. The book can be useful for graduate students, professional engineers and researchers specializing in the Optimum Design and in Topology Optimization in general.




Optimum Structures


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NASA Technical Note


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Report


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Technical Abstract Bulletin


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Criteria and Methods of Structural Optimization


Book Description

This book is intended to serve all those who are interested in structural opti mization, whether they work in this field or study it for other purposes. Rapid growth of interest in the cognitive aspects of optimization and the increas ing demands that the present day engineer has to meet in modern design have created the need of a monographic treatment of the subject. The vast number and wide range of structural optimization problems formulated and investigated in the last twenty years call for an attempt to sum up the pres ent state of knowledge in this domain and to outline the directions of its further development. The present authors undertook this task, hoping that the result would stimulate further work towards finding new methods and solutions and increasing the range of applications of the optimization methods to structural design. The immediate aim of the book is to present the basic criteria and methods of optimization and to provide a reference guide to the most important publications in the field. 'The book consists of fourteen chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the basic concepts, definitions and assumptions relating to structural optimization. Chapter 2 gives the foundations of optimization for minimum elastic strain potential or maximum rigidity, and sets a basis for optimization of bar, plate and lattice structures. Chapter 3 presents criteria of strength design and their applications to plane structures.




Shape and Layout Optimization of Structural Systems and Optimality Criteria Methods


Book Description

Shape and layout optimization represent some of the most useful but also most difficult classes of problems in structural design, which have been investigated in detail only during the last few years. Shape optimization is concerned with the optimal shape of boundaries of continua or of interfaces between two materials in composites. Layout optimization deals with the simultaneous optimization of the topology, geometry and cross-sectional sizes of structural systems. In spite of its complextiy, layout optimization is a very rewarding task, because it results in much greater savings than the optimization of cross-sectional sizes only. Because of their important role in shape and layout optimization, the book also covers in detail new optimality criteria methods, which are capable of handling many thousand design variables and active design contraints. Shape and layout optimization is becoming an indispensable tool in the design of aeroplanes, space structures, cars, ships, building and civil engineering structures, power stations, chemical plants, artificial organs, sporting equipment, and all other solid systems where stresses and deformations play an important role.