This book presents the application of new techniques in analyzing truss and frame structures. The book contains two main sections: Numerical Analysis of Structures and Mass-Saving in Structures. Under each section, different approaches on the topic are given. Covered in these sections are dynamic stability analysis, design optimization considering vibration, FEM analysis, topology optimization methods, and recommendations to build lightweight structures. It is believed that this book will be helpful to its readers for new perspectives on the analysis of structures.

Evolutionary Topology Optimization of Continuum Structures treads new ground with a comprehensive study on the techniques and applications of evolutionary structural optimization (ESO) and its later version bi-directional ESO (BESO) methods. Since the ESO method was first introduced by Xie and Steven in 1992 and the publication of their well-known book Evolutionary Structural Optimization in 1997, there have been significant improvements in the techniques as well as important practical applications. The authors present these developments, illustrated by numerous interesting and detailed examples. They clearly demonstrate that the evolutionary structural optimization method is an effective approach capable of solving a wide range of topology optimization problems, including structures with geometrical and material nonlinearities, energy absorbing devices, periodical structures, bridges and buildings. Presents latest developments and applications in this increasingly popular & maturing optimization approach for engineers and architects; Authored by leading researchers in the field who have been working in the area of ESO and BESO developments since their conception; Includes a number of test problems for students as well as a chapter of case studies that includes several recent practical projects in which the authors have been involved; Accompanied by a website housing ESO/BESO computer programs at http://www.wiley.com/go/huang and test examples, as well as a chapter within the book giving a description and step-by-step instruction on how to use the software package BESO2D. Evolutionary Topology Optimization of Continuum Structures will appeal to researchers and graduate students working in structural design and optimization, and will also be of interest to civil and structural engineers, architects and mechanical engineers involved in creating innovative and efficient structures.

The topology optimization method solves the basic enginee- ring problem of distributing a limited amount of material in a design space. The first edition of this book has become the standard text on optimal design which is concerned with the optimization of structural topology, shape and material. This edition, has been substantially revised and updated to reflect progress made in modelling and computational procedures. It also encompasses a comprehensive and unified description of the state-of-the-art of the so-called material distribution method, based on the use of mathematical programming and finite elements. Applications treated include not only structures but also materials and MEMS.

The book is organized into four chapters. The first three treat distinct types of design variables, and the fourth presents a built-up structure formulation that combines the other three. The first chapter treats finite-dimensional problems, in which the state variable is a finite-dimensional vector of structure displacements and the design parameters. The structual state equations are matrix equations for static response, vibration, and buckling of structures and matrix differential equations for transient dynamic response of structures, which design variables appearing in the coefficient matrices.

This book has grown out of lectures and courses given at Linköping University, Sweden, over a period of 15 years. It gives an introductory treatment of problems and methods of structural optimization. The three basic classes of geometrical - timization problems of mechanical structures, i. e. , size, shape and topology op- mization, are treated. The focus is on concrete numerical solution methods for d- crete and (?nite element) discretized linear elastic structures. The style is explicit and practical: mathematical proofs are provided when arguments can be kept e- mentary but are otherwise only cited, while implementation details are frequently provided. Moreover, since the text has an emphasis on geometrical design problems, where the design is represented by continuously varying—frequently very many— variables, so-called ?rst order methods are central to the treatment. These methods are based on sensitivity analysis, i. e. , on establishing ?rst order derivatives for - jectives and constraints. The classical ?rst order methods that we emphasize are CONLIN and MMA, which are based on explicit, convex and separable appro- mations. It should be remarked that the classical and frequently used so-called op- mality criteria method is also of this kind. It may also be noted in this context that zero order methods such as response surface methods, surrogate models, neural n- works, genetic algorithms, etc. , essentially apply to different types of problems than the ones treated here and should be presented elsewhere.

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