Institute of Fundamental Technological Research

The present paper deals with the problem of determining the optimal joint positions and cross-sectional parameters of linearly elastic space frames with imposed stress and free frequency constraints. The frame is assumed to be acted on by different load systems, including temperature and self-weight loads. The stress state analysis includes tension, bending, shear, and torsion of beam elements. By a sequence of quadratic programming problems, the optimal design is attained. The sensitivity analysis of distinct as well as multiple frequencies is performed through analytic differentiation with respect to design parameters. Illustrative examples of optimal design of simple and medium complexity frames are presented, and the particular case of bimodal optimal solution is considered in detail.

Optimal design of frames including cross-sectional dimensions (size parameters) and rigid joint positions between beams (configuration parameters) is treated in the paper. The optimal design corresponds to a minimal mass structure with constraints set on damping capacity of free vibration modes. The sensitivity analysis of distinct as well as multiple frequencies is performed analytically using a complex variable sensitivity method. The linking process of size and configuration variables is applied to generate different classes of optimal designs. The numerical algorithm is based on quadratic approximation of the objective function and linear approximation of active constraints. The examples are provided for 2, 12, and 124 beam frames.