Elements of Structural Optimization

by Raphael T. Haftka, M P Kamat, Zafer Gurdal, et al.

Book Overview

The field of structural optimization is still a relatively new field undergoing rapid changes in methods and focus. Until recently there was a severe imbalance between the enormous amount of literature on the subject, and the paucity of applications to practical design problems. This imbalance is being gradually redressed. There is still no shortage of new publications, but there are also exciting applications of the methods of structural optimizations in the automotive, aerospace, civil engineering, machine design and other engineering fields. As a result of the growing pace of applications, research into structural optimization methods is increasingly driven by real-life problems. t-.Jost engineers who design structures employ complex general-purpose software packages for structural analysis. Often they do not have any access to the source program, and even more frequently they have only scant knowledge of the details of the structural analysis algorithms used in this software packages. Therefore the major challenge faced by researchers in structural optimization is to develop methods that are suitable for use with such software packages. Another major challenge is the high computational cost associated with the analysis of many complex real-life problems. In many cases the engineer who has the task of designing a structure cannot afford to analyze it more than a handful of times.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0792315049
• ISBN13: 9780792315049
• Release Date: November 1991
• Publisher: Springer
• Length: 481 Pages
• Weight: 1.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Well written introductory book on structural optimization.

This is a well written book on engineering optimization in general and on structural optimization particularly. Although the book requires basic structures' analysis background (e.g., FEA and strength of materials) the optimization concepts are written in a clear and concise manner. Plenty of practical examples are given in each chapter to present the "application" of various optimization methods. Optimization of both constrained and unconstrained problems are shown with emphasis on the variable types involved (i.e. continous, discreet)A good book for someone getting started on structural optimization and a good quick reference book afterwards.