I am deriving a mathematical model – and writing optimization code in Python, C++, and AMPL – to be able to optimize trusses (which could be a skyscraper, bridge, crane, etc…) to support a given set of loads, or multiple sets of loads, while (1) minimizing weight, (2) maximizing stiffness, (3) minimizing construction difficulty, or (4) for any multi-objective function that combines these factors. So far, I have been able to optimize for the any of the three factors on their own – albeit only with smaller problems for construction difficulty, due to the discrete variables inherent in evaluating construction difficulty – as well as with for combinations of minimizing weight and maximizing stiffness.

The code is being published under an open-source license on my GitHub. A full document with detailed mathematical derivations and optimization routines for many truss optimization examples is available, also on my GitHub here: TrussOptimizationDoc. Below are some fun examples of optimized trusses.

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Minimizing Number of Members and Adding Member Length Constraint

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Volume Minimization with Joint Cost to Simplify Constructability

Code adapted from “A Python script for adaptive layout optimization of trusses”, L. He, M. Gilbert, X. Song, Struct.
Multidisc. Optim., 2019.

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Optimizing a Balance Between Low Weight and High Stiffness