MULTIOBJECTIVE INSENSITIVE DESIGN OF STRUCTURES

Design parameters are subject to variability in many optimization models. Since an optimal point often lies on the boundary of the feasible domain, any variation in the design parameters is likely to make the design infeasible and useless. A general approach for the insensitive design of structures is presented within the framework of multiobjective optimization. Suitable sensitivity-based functions arising from constraints and objective functions are constructed for inclusion in the optimization process. The designs obtained from the present methodology yield highly insensitive, robust and reliable designs. The insensitive design procedure is illustrated through the design of two truss examples.