Wednesday, 22 November 2000 in room C1.06, Chesham Building
13:30 - 14:00 Coffee
14:00 - 15:00 Talk given by Professor Andrej Cherkaev, Department of Mathematics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Variational methods for structural optimization
Short Synopsis:
The desire for optimality (perfection) is inherent for humans. The search for extremes inspires mountaineers, scientists, mathematicians, and the rest of the human race. A beautiful and practical mathematical theory of optimization (i.e. search-for-optimum strategies) is developed since the sixties when computers become available. Every new generation of computers allows for attacking new types of problems and calls for new methods.
We discuss the applicability of the classical methods of Calculus of Variations to the problems of Structural Optimization. These problems usually do not have a classical solution, but a sequence of highly inhomogeneous layouts, that do not converge in the classical sense. We discuss the methods for such specific problems, that are developed in the last two decades.
All interested the theory and engineering applications of optimization techniques are welcome to attend.
Past seminars:
7 July 2000. Valeri Markine, Department of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands: Applications of numerical optimisation techniques to railway engineering problems
17 December 1999. Fred van Keulen, Koiter Institute Delft, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands: Refined semi-analytical design sensitivities.
13 October 1999. Osvaldo M. Querin, Department of Aeronautical Engineering, University of Sydney, Australia: Evolutionary optimisation in structural design.
6 May 1999. Henrik Carlsen, The Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark: Design optimization of Stirling engines.
2 November 1998. Inaugural meeting and a research seminar: