Sie sind auf Seite 1von 2

Struct Multidisc Optim (2009) 38:533534

DOI 10.1007/s00158-008-0293-9

BOOK REVIEW

M. Ohsaki and K. Ikeda, Stability and optimization


of structures: generalized sensitivity analysis, mechanical
engineering series
Springer, 2007. xvi + 269 pp. Price 149 USD, 123 Euros. ISSN 987-0-387-68183-2
Isaac Elishakoff

Received: 18 March 2008 / Revised: 5 June 2008 / Accepted: 8 June 2008 / Published online: 22 July 2008
Springer-Verlag 2008

This book is the first monograph that comprehensively presents how the stability theory and optimization methods should be successfully married for
optimization of geometrically-nonlinear structure under stability constraint, which is a fast-growing branch
of application of both structural and mechanical engineering, and of applied mathematics. One important
aspect of this book is that it first serves as a bridge
connecting studies of elastic stability in computational
mechanics and in applied mathematics. A wider and
deeper insight into optimization-based and computerassisted stability design of discrete structures, which is
based on the unified approach to parameter sensitivity
analysis of finite-dimensional structures, is presented
in most readable and illustrative form for graduate
students of engineering and for applied mathematicians
as well as the professional structural and mechanical
engineers.
Another important aspect in optimization against
buckling is that optimized structures often become unfavorable (as Michael J. Thompson warned) by the
danger of naive optimization, through the inevitable
presence of initial imperfections that arise from errors
in manufacturing processes, material defects, and other
causes. This book provides all of us with wonderful
news: Through investigation of imperfection sensitivity,
worst imperfection, and random imperfection based on
the concrete theoretical framework, it is demonstrated

I. Elishakoff (B)
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton,
FL 33431-0991, USA
e-mail: elishako@fau.edu
URL: http://www.me.fau.edu/faculty/elishakoff.html

that optimization against buckling does not necessarily


produce an imperfection-sensitive structure. Therefore,
optimizing structures against buckling is not always
dangerous and the designers are encouraged to seek the
optimal structure in a practical application.
The two important aspects are fully made clear
through the following studies presented in three independent and important Parts. This book is not a simple
assemblage of existing papers, but the basic parts have
been written exclusively for this book to present new
theories and results.
It appears the readers of this journal will particularly be interested in the topic of sensitivity of designs
that are furnished by this book. I will address this
issue specifically, perhaps at more detail than absolutely
needed.
In Part I, design sensitivity analysis and imperfection
sensitivity analysis are introduced as systematic tools
to perform stability design of structures. In Chapter 1,
general framework of elastic stability is introduced.
Design parameterization is then presented along with
a simple introduction to design sensitivity analysis for
linear and nonlinear responses. In Chapter 2, design
sensitivity of a simple pedagogic example structure with
respect to minor and major design modifications is first
studied. The design sensitivity is shown to be regular for
minor design modifications, and several numerical approaches are presented for design sensitivity analyses,
including: linear eigenvalue analysis approach, interpolation approach, and explicit diagonalization approach.
In Chapter 3, generalized coordinates and power series
expressions of the total potential energy with respect
to these expressions are presented as mathematical
preliminaries for the remaining chapters. Classification
of critical points is described. Methodologies to derive

534

imperfection sensitivity laws are presented for major


imperfections at simple and coincident critical points.
In Part II, based on the synthetic description of
sensitivity analyses presented in Part I, the state-of-theart optimization problem formulations of geometrically
nonlinear finite-dimensional structures under stability
constraints are presented. These optimization methodologies are reinforced on the one hand by the stability theory and on the other hand by finite element
method so that the standard mathematical programming algorithms can be used. In Chapter 4, general
formulation of an optimization problem and the outline
of a gradient-based approach are presented, and are
extended to optimization under stability constraints.
Systematic occurrence of a degenerate hilltop point
via optimization and associated imperfection sensitivity are investigated. In Chapter 5, the difficulties associated with optimization of structures undergoing
snapthrough are described to show that a proper knowledge on snapthrough behavior is vital in successful
formulation of an optimization problem. In Chapter 6,
an example of the optimization problem of a structure with multistable compliant bar-joint mechanism is
provided as a modern application of the optimization
techniques. In Chapter 7, imperfection sensitivity of
the nonlinear buckling load factors of non-optimal and
optimal symmetric frames is investigated. It is shown
for optimal frames that the non-sway bifurcation is
nearly symmetric, and the interaction between sway
and non-sway modes does not always enhance imperfection sensitivity. In Chapters 810, imperfection sensitivity laws for hilltop points are investigated for the
case with simple, multiple and degenerate bifurcation
points, respectively.
In Part III, in order to ensure the performance of
optimized structures, two design methodologies are
introduced as: optimization via the worst imperfection, and probabilistic analysis via random imperfections, which are discussed in independent chapters.
In Chapter 11, asymptotic theory of the worst imperfection is presented for simple critical points and a hill-

I. Elishakoff

top branching point. An optimum design considering the worst imperfection is presented. In Chapter 12,
a numerical procedure is proposed to obtain the worst
imperfection of braced frames considering mode interaction. In Chapter 13, a simple and numerically efficient
procedure is presented for determining the maximum
load factor of an imperfect elastic structure undergoing stable bifurcation. In Chapter 14, a procedure for
determining the maximum load factor is introduced
for column-type structures considering worst imperfections. In Chapter 15, probability density functions
of critical loads are derived based on an asymptotic
theory. The explicit form of probability density function
of critical loads is derived for a hilltop branching point.
The numerical procedure to obtain the probability density function is presented. In Chapter 16, the asymptotic
probabilistic theory is upgraded to be applicable up to
the minor imperfection, and a numerical procedure for
this theory is presented.
In the Appendix, derivations of several formulations
and details of numerical examples are presented. In
particular, the derivation of imperfection sensitivity
laws by the power series expansion method is an important ingredient for readers who are interested in
stability theory.
To sum up, this first-rate book offers an introduction
to optimization of geometrically nonlinear structures
under stability constraint. The great and inevitable
message of this book is that a thorough and profound
knowledge of nonlinear buckling behaviors is crucial,
via proper problem setting, as a step toward the successful design of the best structure. This book is wholeheartedly recommended to all engineers who deal with
applied mechanics, as well as to applied mathematicians
who are interested in real life applications of mathematics. It vividly shows that concerted efforts are needed
to achieve most appropriate engineering designs. Every
engineering & math library ought to have it; surely all
who deal with either stability or optimization ought to
get familiar with the contents of this outstanding book
on the extremely timely topic.

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen