A geometry-based rigorous approach to the detection of global and internal mobility of skeletal structures (trusses and frames) is presented. The method is useful for automated design of skeletal structures at the conceptual stage where the overall topology of the structure is known, but no exact detail on geometry and size is available. Such topologies are, for example, those generated by inte...

fundamental engineering concepts through a course in statics. Statics problems usually require the student to draw planar truss and other free-body diagrams (FBDs). In civil and mechanical engineering, visual and spatial thoughts are essential for the correct absorption of fundamental concepts. By relying on visual aids as opposed to only using the verbal channel of acquiring knowledge, the cog...

Reliability is often understood as the probability that a structure will not fail to perform its intended function. In this paper, the general formulation of consistent evaluation of the safety of structures and the associated methods of analysis are reviewed. After the reliability analysis of a cantilever beam is demonstrated, the methodology of reliability-based optimization and the related p...

This paper presents the optimization of the location and feedback gains of active bar in a closed loop control system for stochastic piezoelectric smart truss structures under stationary random excitation. The mathematical model with reliability constraints on the mean square value of the structural random dynamic displacement and stress response is developed based on maximization of dissipatio...

This paper develops the concept of a contour of complete nonuniqueness and shows its application to the optimal design (optimal layout) of simple trusses transmitting a concentrated force to a presscribed, arbitrary foundation contour. As an example, a symmetric two-bar truss with compressed bars is considered, and the constraints refer to various kinds of elastic instability of the system.

Rigidizable-Inflatable (RI) materials offer the possibility of deployable large space structures (C.H.M. Jenkins (ed.), Gossamer Spacecraft: Membrane and Inflatable Structures Technology for Space Applications, Progress in Aeronautics and Astronautics, 191, AIAA Pubs., 2001) and so are of interest in applications where large optical or RF apertures are needed. In particular, in recent years the...

The economy of the steel truss girder bridge superstructure, used extensively in medium and long span ranges, is affected by many factors such as the cost of material, dictated by the configuration and depth of truss, shape and size of members, and cost of fabrication. Most conventional methods of optimization deal with only member optimization assuming only continuous design variables, leading...