Optimal material selection using branch and bound techniques

A methodology for structural synthesis is presented in which the optimal material selection for the structural members is treated in terms of (0,1) variables. Structural member sizes and material selection variables are treated simultaneously as design variables. Optimization is carried out by generating and solving a sequence of explicit approximate problems using a branch and bound strategy. Intermediate design variables and intermediate response quantities are used to enhance the quality of the approximate design problems. Numerical results for example problems are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the design procedure set forth.