Author(s)

G.N. Vanderplaats

Abstract

Structural optimization techniques are discussed, from the initial concept to modern approximation techniques. The present state of the art will be reviewed and future needs are addressed to indicate some of the challenges that lie ahead. It is concluded that the challenge now is to assimilate this technology into the practicing design environment. 1 Where We've Been Any review of the state of the art in structural optimization is necessarily subjective. One person's view is offered here. Reference 1 contains a more extensive technical discussion of the present state of the art, along with numerous references. The goal is to understand where we've been, where we are, and where we are going. 1.1 Early Works Structural optimization has been a topic

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