Optimal Solutions for Nonhomogeneous Multiply-Connected Torsional Sections

Abstract

Optimization of a second-order multiply-connected inhomogeneous boundary-value problem was considered in terms of elastic torsion. External boundary and material proportions are the applied constraints in finding optimal internal configurations of the cross section. The optimization procedure is based on the numerical simulation of the membrane analogy and the results obtained indicate that the procedure is usable as an engineering tool. Optimal solutions are obtained for some representative cases of the torsion problem and they are presented in the form of tables and figures.