Design of Minimum-Weight Structures

The main purpose of this book is to introduce thereader to the fundamental analytical concepts of thedesign of minimum-weight structures. This subjectmore broadly termed structural optimization iscurrently enjoying great interest in the engineeringresearch. The goal of structural optimization is tocreate finite-element based iterative modelingsystems which will enable the establishment early inany design of the structural layout required forminimum-weight design. Once this layout is known theremaining detailed design engineering can follow wellestablished steps. To emphasize that the difficulttask of layout or topology is being undertaken thetopic is often referred to as topological structuraloptimization (TSO). It is likely to become a veryimportant tool as TSO methods develop and the desireto reduce the material content and weight of newproducts continues to increase. The subject ofstructural optimization was established at the turnof the last century by an Australian engineer A.G.M.Michell. This work has received new attention overthe last two decades because it serves as thetheoretical base for numerical approaches to improvedstructural design.