• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.501-515
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• 2016

Seismic analysis for steel frame structure with brace configuration using topology optimization based on truss-like material model is studied. The initial design domain for topology optimization is determined according to original steel frame structure and filled with truss-like members. Hence the initial truss-like continuum is established. The densities and orientation of truss-like members at any point are taken as design variables in finite element analysis. The topology optimization problem of least-weight truss-like continuum with stress constraints is solved. The orientations and densities of members in truss-like continuum are optimized and updated by fully-stressed criterion in every iteration. The optimized truss-like continuum is founded after finite element analysis is finished. The optimal bracing system is established based on optimized truss-like continuum without numerical instability. Seismic performance for steel frame structures is derived using dynamic time-history analysis. A numerical example shows the advantage for frame structures with brace configuration using topology optimization in seismic performance.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2018

Topology optimization of steel and concrete composite based on truss-like material model is studied in this paper. First, the initial design domain is filled with concrete, and the steel is distributed in it. The problem of topology optimization is to minimize the volume of steel material and solved by full stress method. Then the optimized steel and concrete composite truss-like continuum is obtained. Finally, the distribution of steel material is determined based on the optimized truss-like continuum. Several numerical results indicate the numerical instability and rough boundary are settled. And more details of manufacture and construction can be presented based on the truss-like material model. Hence, the truss-like material model of steel and concrete is efficient to establish the distribution of steel material in concrete.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.231-242
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• 2016

To minimize the compliance of frame, a method to optimize the topology of bracing system in a frame is presented. The frame is first filled uniformly with a truss-like continuum, in which there are an infinite number of members. The frame and truss-like continuum are analysed by the finite element method altogether. By optimizing the distribution of members in the truss-like continuum over the whole design domain, the optimal bracing pattern is determined. As a result, the frame's lateral stiffness is enforced. Structural compliance and displacement are decreased greatly with a smaller increase in material volume. Since optimal bracing systems are described by the distribution field of members, rather than by elements, fewer elements are needed to establish the detailed structure. Furthermore, no numerical instability exists. Therefore it has high calculation effectiveness.