Adaptive topology optimization of fail-safe truss structures

Abstract Avoidance of disproportionate and progressive collapse, often termed ‘fail-safe design’, is a key consideration in the design buildings infrastructure. This paper addresses problem fail-safe truss topology optimization setting plastic design, where damage defined as moveable circular region which members are considered to have zero strength for that particular load case. A rigorous computationally efficient iterative solution strategy employed both dual (member adding) primal (damage-case problems simultaneously, allows cases high complexity many (maximum 16290 potential 16291 cases) be solved global optimum. Common member-based definitions (e.g. any one member) shown highly dependent on nodal grid; limiting case completely negating effect constraints. The method proposed this article does not such limitations, enabling more sophisticated robust treatment design. Moreover, minimization resolutions create new benchmarks least-material designs ‘fail-safe’ structures using rigid-plastic materials. number example (short cantilever, square multi-span truss), effects radius, location, structure rationalisation discussed.