The Earthquake Engineering Online Archive

OPTNSR: an interactive software system for optimal design of statically and dynamically loaded structures with nonlinear response

Bhatti, M. Asghar; Ciampi, Vincenzo; Pister, Karl S.

UCB/EERC-81/02, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California, Berkeley, 1981-01, 187 pages (555.6/B48/1981)

This report describes a software system for optimization-based, interactive computer-aided design of statically and dynamically loaded structures exhibiting nonlinear response. The system combines two programs, INTEROPTDYN and MINI-ANSR. The program INTEROPTDYN is based on a feasible-directions algorithm for solving a constrained optimization problem, when both nonparametric and parametric (time-dependent) constraints are allowed. Program MINI-ANSR is a modification of an existing general purpose structural analysis program, ANSR-1. Details of these programs and details of an interface package that connects the analysis and optimization phases of the design process are described. The system offers stop and restart capabilities and permits design and optimization algorithm parameters to be varied by the user. Graphical display of key information is available at all stages of the design process. Two example problems--one an elastic, statically loaded truss and the second a nonlinear, impulsively loaded braced frame--are included to illustrate use of the system.

Available online: http://nisee.berkeley.edu/documents/EERC/EERC-81-02.pdf (34 MB)