Ascending Order Constraints Sensitivity Optimal Design Method for Steel Structure

Abstract

Traditional structural design method usually adopts the process of trial and error methodology to try to search a “feasible solution” that satisfy the structural design requirements. This process is complex and inefficient, and it can’t get the optimal solution. Therefore, integrating computers and advanced optimization ideas into engineering structures to make structural design quickly, accurately, and intelligently is an important in the field of engineering structure design. This paper develops constant incremental sensitivity analysis method that regard sensitivity coefficient as the guide of member cross-sectional optimal design and redistributes structural material under design constraints to improve material efficiency. Based on this analysis method, ascending order constraints sensitivity optimal design method is developed for steel structures. Taking the sensitivity analysis results as a reference standard, the optimal design method can optimize the structural members and minimize the overall structural cost. To verify the accuracy and the optimization ability of the proposed design method, a utility program was developed. At last, a single plane frame structure is exemplified in this paper to discuss the applicability of the optimization design method. The results of program design and manual design are compared and analyzed which confirm the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed optimal design method.