Weight Optimum Arch Structures

Abstract

This investigation is concerned with minimum weight designs of arch structures. Using the finite element method, the arch is modeled by contiguous bar-beam elements. Element stiffness coefficients in terms of local degrees of freedom are related to system degrees of freedom through local to global coordinate transformations. After coordinate transformations, element stiffness coefficients are assembled into FEM stiffness equations for the arch structure. An objective function for weight minimization, with constraints on failure, arch geometry, and section dimensions, is minimized by the DOT optimization code. Results are presented for a number of cases.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA245954

Entities

People

  • Charles S. Mcdavid

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Application Software
  • Bending Stress
  • Case Studies
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Differential Equations
  • Engineering
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Geometry
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanics
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Schools
  • Stress Analysis
  • United States Naval Academy

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Facility/Structural Engineering.
  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)