In the design of a mechanical structure, we’re interested in finding a general layout of the structure’s supporting frame that best supports some anticipated design loads. Often, the design of such supporting frames are addressed in ad-hoc ways, such as by complicated domain-specific heuristics [TTG05, DG01]. Our project targets the problem of designing a truss–a collection of bars rigidly atta...

Tensegrity structures are a special class of lightweight truss structures, where all truss elements are axially loaded and tensile truss elements are made of strings. This paper presents the dynamic analysis of a tensegrity structure by comparing a finite element model with an identified model obtained from experimental data. Experimental data is obtained by placing a three stage tensegrity str...

When we represent real-world systems as networks, the directions of links often convey valuable information. Finding module structures that respect link directions is one of the most important tasks for analysing directed networks. Although many notions of a directed module have been proposed, no consensus has been reached. This lack of consensus results partly because there might exist distinc...

In the present study, the computational performance of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) harmony search (HS) and firefly algorithm (FA), as popular metaheuristics, is investigated for size and shape optimization of truss structures. The PSO was inspired by the social behavior of organisms such as bird flocking. The HS imitates the musical performance process which takes place when a musicia...

A new hybrid algorithm of Particle Swarm Optimization and Genetic Algorithm (PSOGA) is presented to get the optimum design of truss structures with discrete design variables. The objective function chosen in this paper is the total weight of the truss structure, which depends on upper and lower bounds in the form of stress and displacement limits. The Particle Swarm Optimization basically model...

Abstract In this paper we focus on the adaptation to topology optimization of a previous variance-expected compliance applied to truss design. The principal objective of such a model is to find robust structures for a given main load and its perturbations. In particular we are interested in avoiding high compliance values in cases of important perturbations. In the first part, we recall the var...

The main objective of structural engineers through out design history has been to obtain the optimum structure under the prescribed design conditions which can not only withstand external loads safely but also achieve an economic solution. The paper focuses on the use of the fuzzy set theory to optimum design of plane truss structures. The approach is illustrated on planar truss optimization pr...

fragility curves represent the probabilities that structural damages, under various levels of seismic excitation, will exceed the specified damage states by means of earthquake intensity damage relations. conceptual aspects related to seismic vulnerability, damage and risk evaluation are discussed first, together with a short review of the most widely used possibilities for the seismic evaluati...

Neural network-based adaptive control is considered for active control of a highly flexible truss structure which may be used to support solar sail membranes. The objective is to suppress unwanted vibrations in SAFE (Solar Array Flight Experiment) boom_ a test-bed located at NASA. Compared to previous tests that restrained truss structures in planar motion, full three dimensional motions are te...