Abstract
The SADDLE system is a tool for computer-aided optimal design of structural and mechanical systems. The system is divided into four parts-the preprocessor, the 'analyzer', the 'synthesizer', and the postprocessor. The structural model and the design data are generated by the preprocessor. The analyzer uses the finite-element method to compute deflections and stresses in the structure. The synthesizer solves the design problem that is cast into a nonlinear programming format. The postprocessor is used to examine the analysis and design results. Different parts of the system interact via a global database. This study presents the design system configuration. In a companion study, the data management part is presented in detail. The user-interface for design is examined first. The design problem formulation, in the nonlinear programming problem context, is presented. The use of utility libraries to achieve this objective with a minimum programming effort is also explained. The article concludes with two numerical examples that belong to two different classes of design problems-a minimum weight design problem and a min-max problem.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 185-204 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Computers and Structures |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1986 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Modeling and Simulation
- General Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science Applications