Optimization of geometry in truss design

In this paper a method is presented which attempts to minimize the weight of a 3-dimensional truss structure subject to displacement-, stress- and buckling constraints under multiple load conditions. Both the cross section areas of the bars and the geometry (but not the topology) of the structure are permitted to vary during the optimization.The method generates a sequence of subproblems which are solved by a dual method of convex programming. The convergence of the overall algorithm is in evidence on some test problems.