eJMT Abstract

In this note we introduce the classical problem of optimizing a truss structure in a pedagogical fashion. The truss will consist in a number of nodes (in our context two-dimensional points) and connections between those points (in our context elastic bars). Subject to certain supporting and loads conditions on the structure, our aim is to design the stiffest structure among those whose volume do not exceed a given tolerance. The design variables are the cross section areas of the bars connecting the different nodes of the structure. We introduce this nonlinear optimization problem, go a bit into its mathematical analysis, and propose a basic numerical algorithm for getting optimal solutions that is implemented in Python.