Author(s)

F. A. Potra & E. Simiu

Abstract

Optimal multi-hazard structural design consists in determining a vector of design variables, subjected to the constraints imposed by all the hazards to which the structure is exposed, such that the cost or weight of the structure is minimized. In particular, the design variables should be determined is such a way that the loadinduced stresses and deflections are kept below specified thresholds at all points of the resulting structure. Since there are infinitely many such points, the optimization problem becomes a semi-infinite programming problem. In the present paper we discuss the difficulties involved in the numerical solution of the semi-infinite programming problems arising in multi-hazard structural design. We show that it is possible to construct efficient and robust optimization algorithms, by adaptively choosing a family of finite sets of points on the structure, and by using interior point methods for solving the corresponding optimization problems.

Keywords