| Abstract: | The problem of optimizing the prestressing force and the tendon configuration for an indeterminate prestressed structure with prescribed cross-sectional dimensions is formulated in linear programming form, The structure is subjected to multiple load conditions and constraints are related to the structural behaviour and to the tendon configuration. It is shown that the number of behaviour constraints at each point in the structure can be reduced, as they represent parallel hyperplanes in the design space. Necessary conditions for feasible solutions are derived. The method based on transformation of the design variables, is suitable for beams, frames, grids and plates. Its application is illustrated for the case of a prestressed bridge. |
