Author(s)

J.C.Perezzan & S. Hernandez

Abstract

Most applications in optimum design of frame structures have been devoted to size optimization. In this paper a multispan bridge having a large number of elements is presented as a case for design optimization. First, a size optimization problem is carried out having a number of design variables varying from 4 to 118. Then size and shape optimization is formulated considering the span length as design variable for geometry optimization. Numerical results obtained show the advantages of this combined approach. 1 Optimum design of flexural systems Optimum design of flexural systems composed by bar elements is a very well stablished topic on structural optimization. Plastic and elastic behaviour has been considered for many authors us

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