Truss sizing optimisation

Minimum-mass sizing of isostatic trusses as one linear programme.

In a statically determinate truss the member forces are linear in the member areas, so minimum-mass sizing under stress limits becomes a single linear programme. This is a Python re-implementation of the method in the paper below.

Run it

git clone https://github.com/EngFlavioMartins/truss-sizing-optimisation.git
cd truss-sizing-optimisation
python run.py

run.py sizes the paper's 37-member benchmark truss and prints its mass: 13.15 kg (the paper reports 13.35 kg and 13.23 kg). The first time, it installs what it needs into a private .venv folder (a minute or so); after that it starts at once. All you need is Python 3.10 or newer.

Prefer conda?

conda env create -f environment.yml
conda activate truss-sizing-optimisation
python examples/truss_37.py

Next: The method lives in src/truss_sizing/; examples/truss_37.py shows how to describe your own truss.

Figure and animation

The same mass of steel before and after sizing, coloured by stress over admissible stress (teal compression, red tension).

sh scripts/render/make_figure.sh          # the figure
python scripts/render/make_animation.py   # the animation at the top

Both need ParaView; the figure also needs LaTeX.

Cite

This code re-implements the method of the paper below. If you use it, please cite:

@article{martins2019truss,
  author  = {Martins, Flavio A. C. and Avila, J. P. J. and da Silva, M. A.},
  title   = {A Linear Approach for Sizing Optimization of Isostatic Trussed Structures Subjected to External and Self-Weight Loads},
  journal = {International Journal of Steel Structures},
  volume  = {19},
  number  = {4},
  pages   = {1146--1157},
  year    = {2019},
  doi     = {10.1007/s13296-018-0194-8}
}

GitHub's Cite this repository button (from CITATION.cff) gives the same reference in other formats.

Licence

Apache 2.0: you are free to use, change and share this code, also commercially. If you pass it on, keep the NOTICE file with it; it says where the code comes from and how to cite it.