A new article featuring the LimitState:FORM design optimization software has been published in the October 2019 issue of The Structural Engineer.
The article describes the use of structural optimization at the conceptual design stage to identify materially efficient solutions incorporating buildability considerations; a 50m span transfer truss is the target application in this case. The approach described takes advantage of the unique interactive features of LimitState:FORM, allowing the designer to balance material efficiency and complexity in an informed manner.
The article builds on the work that won the first author, Helen Fairclough, 1st prize at the 2017 IStructE Young Researchers' Conference. LimitState:FORM is used throughout to showcase the methodology employed.
The article is available from the website of The Structural Engineer.
