Software systems for structural optimization (Q1202179)

[The articles of this volume will not be indexed individually.] The book collects information on some well-known structural design optimization systems using the finite element method for structural analysis. The book contains 13 chapters. In the first chapter, an introduction into the basic mathematical model, i.e. the structural optimization problem, is presented. All numerical optimization algorithms implemented in the software systems allow to minimize a nonlinear function subject to nonlinear inequality constraints, where all functions are differentiable. In the second chapter, a very brief introduction into the mathematical optimization theory is presented. The subsequent chapters contain a brief review of the software systems: ANSYS, B\&B, CAOS, CARAT, DYNOPT, LAGRANGE, OASIS-ALADDIN, OPTSYS, SAPOP, SHARE and STARS. The collected papers (chapters) are mainly addressed to mechanical and civil engineers. The book also may be of interest for decision makers who want to be informed about new trends and the latest development of software for their own needs.