Structural optimization with uncertainties (Q1014928)

The monograph is devoted to the exposition of new ways of formulating and solving problems of structural optimization with incomplete information. Some research results concerning the optimal shape and structural properties of bodies subjected to external loadings are recalled. Optimal design with incomplete information, accounting for the interaction between the structure and its environment, properties of materials, existence of initial damages and damage accumulation are studied. This study is devoted to overcoming mathematical difficulties caused by local functionals. Most of the attention of the book is devoted to the minimax approach using worst case scenario, i.e., the guaranteed approach. A probabilistic approach that does not guarantee the results is described in the monograph. Also, a mixed probabilistic-guaranteed approach is discussed and applied. The authors offer a systematic and detailed development of many aspects of structural optimization with incomplete information, particularly for rods, columns, beams, plates and shells. The treatment is classical, i.e., it employs classical analysis: classical calculus of variations, functional analysis, the minimax approach of game theory and inequality analysis, and probabilistic approaches. Many results that are of interest to practical structural engineers, such as optimization with incomplete information concerning loads (which is the case in the great majority of practical design considerations and is of obvious interest in the design of aircraft, buildings, turbines, etc.) are derived. The monograph consists of three parts and 17 chapters. The first part is introductory; it contains two chapters and presents introduction, main notions and exposition of prototype problems; it also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches. Part II is devoted to optimal structural design with incomplete information, treated in the framework of the guaranteed approach. It contains 11 chapters. Chapter 3 describes various types of uncertainties, discusses the worst case scenario. A wide class of optimal design problems for thin-walled structures with uncertainties in loading conditions is considered in Chapters 3 and 4. In Chapter 5 uncertainties of quasi-brittle fracture, and optimal design of structure with cracks are described. Chapter 6 is devoted to optimal design of beams and plates taking into account fracture mechanics constraints and uncertainties in crack length and position. In Chapter 7 optimal design of axisymmetric shells with uncertainties in crack position and orientation is presented. Simultaneous optimization of the shape and thickness distribution of pressure vessels made of quasi-brittle materials is described in Chapter 8. Maximization of mass effectiveness of axisymmetric pressure vessels is discussed in Chapter 9. Optimal design of shells subjected to gravity forces and snow loading, and generic algorithms for optimal shape and thickness distribution are presented in Chapter 10. Uncertainties in damage characteristics, and longevity constraints, are discussed in Chapter 11. Modeling of cyclic loading taking into account the growth of initial cracks, worst case scenario and also analysis of minimax problem are presented in this chapter and in Chapter 12. Transformation of the optimization problems and their solution by genetic algorithms are also included in Chapters 11 and 12. In Chapter 13 some results concerning an important class of optimal design problems with uncertainties in material characteristics are presented. Part III is devoted to optimal design with uncertainties in the framework of probabilistic approach and mixed probabilistic-guaranteed approaches. It consists of four chapters . Chapter 14 is introductory and contains some basic notions of probabilistic theory. Chapter 15 describes probabilistic approaches for optimal structural design with incomplete information. Probabilistic problems of beams and frames under longevity constraints are discussed in Chapter 16. In Chapter 17 a mixed probabilistic-guaranteed approach to optimal design of structures with cracks is described and this approach is applied to optimization of toroidal and other shells loaded with axisymmetric forces. The book is intended for graduate and post graduate students, specialists in mechanics and applied mathematics, engineers, university professors, etc.