Weight Optimum Arch Structures

Abstract

The goal of this investigation is to design minimum weight arch structures which span the distance between two points in two-dimensional space. An arch of unknown shape and variable cross-sectional width is modeled as a series of straight bar-beam elements. Finite Element Methods are used to compute the stresses in each element. Automated Design Synthesis (ADS) software is then used to vary the slope of each element and the cross-sectional width to prevent the yield stress of the material from being exceeded as ADS minimizes the volume of the arch to arrive at the minimum weight structure. Results are presented for a number of different loadings and boundary conditions.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA256080

Entities

People

  • Thomas J. Williamson

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bending Moments
  • Bending Stress
  • Case Studies
  • Classification
  • Computer Programming
  • Computers
  • Differential Equations
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Linear Programming
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanics
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Schools
  • United States
  • United States Naval Academy

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Structural Dynamics.

Technology Areas

  • Space