OPTIMIZATION OF SPACE TRUSSES AGAINST INSTABILITY USING DESIGN SENSITIVITY DERIVATIVES

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of the maximization of the critical load of shallow space trusses of given configuration and volume. Through implicit differentiation of the nonlinear equilibrium equations and the stability criterion, the sensitivity derivatives of the critical load parameter with respect to the design variables are developed. Optimum designs are generated using a projected Lagrangian technique known as the Variable Metric method for constrained optimization (VMCON).