On simultaneous optimisation of smart structures. I: Theory. II: Algorithms and examples (Q1573304)

The paper deals with optimal control, sensitivity analysis and integrated optimization of multidisciplinary systems. In particular, the authors use structural shape and topology as design variables, thus extending the traditional optimal design concept to smart structures and introducing a relatively new field with high potential for innovations. Five algorithms are presented for simultaneous optimal design of smart structural systems. These algorithms are based on sequential mathematical programming and guided random search techniques and can be applied to multidisciplinary optimization in which both structural layout and controller parameters are involved. The authors also suggest a method to prevent singularities when updating the structural layout. Two adaptive trusses are optimized, and comparison is made for different optimal schemes on the basis of iteration histories. All five algorithms ar shown to be efficient in improving the truss performance with respect to robustness and controllability. The results also show that the greatest improvement in the performance indicator is achieved by using a genetic algorithm, while the most efficient scheme is a novel hybrid scheme which combines sequential linear programming with simulated annealing.