AN INTERACTIVE SYSTEM FOR TRUSS TOPOLOGY DESIGN

This paper introduces an interactive system for truss topology optimiz ation (TTO) taking the ground structure approach. The aim is to create an environment for convenient handling and processing of larger TTO p roblems as well as facilitating parameter studies of various data type s implicitly affecting the resulting designs. Key topics are the surve y of ground structure generation for non-convex 2-D design areas; intr oduction of two truss topology optimizers, SiLTO and MuLTO, taking loc al stability into account; the interactive system: CAD-based input and ground structure generation; optimization and parameter studies; and visualization (CAD based). Some examples are included at the end of th e paper. Copyright (C) 1996 Civil-Comp Limited and Elsevier Science Li mited