Open Access

ARTICLE

An Enhanced Formulation of the Maximum Entropy Method for Structural Optimization

S. Hernández^1,2, A. Baldomir¹, J. Díaz¹, F. Pereira¹
1 Structural Mechanics Group, School of Civil Engineering, University of La Coruña.
2 Corresponding author: hernandez@udc.es

Computers, Materials & Continua 2012, 32(3), 219-240. https://doi.org/10.3970/cmc.2012.032.219

Abstract

A numerical optimization method was proposed time ago by Templeman based on the maximum entropy principle. That approach combined the Kuhn-Tucker condition and the information theory postulates to create a probabilistic formulation of the optimality criteria techniques. Such approach has been enhanced in this research organizing the mathematical process in a single optimization loop and linearizing the constraints. It turns out that such procedure transforms the optimization process in a sequence of systems of linear equations which is a very efficient way of obtaining the optimum solution of the problem. Some examples of structural optimization, namely, a planar truss, a spatial truss and a composite stiffened panel, are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the methodology.

---

Keywords

numerical optimization, maximum entropy method, structural design

---