Minimum Weight of Open Section Thin-Walled Structural Elements Under Stress Constraint

Abstract

This paper deals with the problem of optimization of thin-walled open sections. They are subjected to the bending and to the constrained torsion. The particular attention is paid to the structural optimization methods. The optimal weight of the structures is obtained starting from some initial values of thicknesses and cross-sectional areas. The analytical and numerical approaches are derived for structural elements of different shapes of the open cross-section elements subjected to several loading cases. Optimization parameters have been determined by Lagrange’s multipliers method. The obtained results are used for numerical calculation.