Towards optimal design of bracing system of multi-story structures under harmonic base excitation through a topology optimization scheme

In this paper we show how the dynamic response of a multi-story structure can be improved by finding an appropriate layout for the bracing system. This is performed by the use of a topology optimization scheme while a suitable norm is defined and used for reduction of the structural response during a time interval. A consistent sensitivity analysis is presented in order to employ a mathematical programming approach. The well-known SIMP method is used for the optimization procedure. The use of SIMP in a realistic time dependent problem requires an effective removal of intermediate densities in the final topology. We show that clear layouts may be found through an approach recently proposed by the authors based on the use of a nodal based interpolation of the density and a sequence of mesh design refining. Several structural examples are given to demonstrate the performance of the approach presented. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.