Scribd
Upload
55 views

Project 1: Analysis and Design of A Space Truss

The document describes a project to analyze and optimize the design of a 25-member space truss structure. Students are asked to: 1) Perform an initial finite element analysis of the truss using provided material properties and boundary conditions, producing plots of the labeled model, deformed geometry, and element stresses. 2) Minimize the structural weight by varying each member's diameter within given bounds, ensuring stresses satisfy safety factors, identifying zero-force members, and providing plots and tables of the optimized model's deformed geometry and element stresses alongside weights.

Uploaded by

MDAravind
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
55 views

Project 1: Analysis and Design of A Space Truss

The document describes a project to analyze and optimize the design of a 25-member space truss structure. Students are asked to: 1) Perform an initial finite element analysis of the truss using provided material properties and boundary conditions, producing plots of the labeled model, deformed geometry, and element stresses. 2) Minimize the structural weight by varying each member's diameter within given bounds, ensuring stresses satisfy safety factors, identifying zero-force members, and providing plots and tables of the optimized model's deformed geometry and element stresses alongside weights.

Uploaded by

MDAravind
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Project

1: Analysis and Design of a Space Truss


Reports should be formal. Include problem description, suitable figures if any and
corresponding tables.
A space frame structure as shown in Figure consists of 25 truss members. Initially, all
members have the same circular cross-sections with diameter d = 2.0 in. At nodes 1 and 2, a
constant force F = 60,000 lb is applied in the ydirection. Four nodes (7, 8, 9, and 10) are
fixed on the ground. The frame structure is made of a steel material whose properties are
Youngs modulus E = 3107 psi, Poissons ratio = 0.3, yield stress Y = 37,000 psi, and
mass density = 7.3104 lbsec2/in4. The safety factor N = 1.5 is used. Due to the
manufacturing constraints, the diameter of the truss members should vary between 0.1 in and
2.5 in.
Solve the initial truss structure using truss finite elements (run the main.m file in the zip
folder). Provide a plot that shows labels for elements and nodes along with boundary
conditions. Provide deformed geometry of the structure and a table of stress in each element.

Minimize the structural weight by changing the cross-sectional diameter of each truss
element, while all members should be safe under the given yield stress and the safety factor.
You can use the symmetric geometry of the structure. Identify zeroforce members. For
zeroforce members, use the lower bound of the cross-sectional diameter. Provide deformed
geometry at the optimum design along with a table of stress at each element. Provide
structural weights of initial and optimum designs.

You might also like