Structural Optimization of Building Materials Using Optimality Criteria Approach and its Realization in ANSYS

Abstract

In this paper, the structural optimization of building materials is discussed focusing on the explicit formulation of the constraints and the optimal iteration algorithm. The whole optimization procedure was realized by programming using the APDL provided by the commercial software ANSYS. Some key points in programming are discussed such as how to determine a design variable is active or inactive during optimization iteration process. Finally an example was illustrated to demonstrate the validation of the optimization algorithm and the programming method using APDL.