Optimum design of truss systems by using Matlab programming language

Nowadays, economic design of structural systems comes into prominence. Therefore, it becomes necessary to design structural systems by a specified optimization method. The aim of optimum structural design is to design a structure economically with a sufficient level of safety. The behaviour of the structural system which is designed for the above mentioned purpose is also required to be within acceptable range. If the aim is economically design of a structural system in terms of material; the optimum design problem can be defined as determination of the minimum weight structural systems under strength and serviceability requirements.In this study, optimum design of plane truss systems under displacement, stress and buckling constraints was achieved using a library function of MATLAB about optimization.First an analysis program of a truss system was written in MATLAB?s programming language. The minimum weight design of truss system was obtained by executing this analysis program with optimization library function.In the first section, the aim and scope of the study are pointed out.In the second section, previous studies related to this subject are mentioned.In the third section, general information about mathematical optimization is given and MATLAB?s library functions concerning optimization are explained. Moreover, detailed explanation is also given in this section about the analysis and optimization program written in MATLAB?s programming language.In the fourth section, optimum design of three truss systems are performed by using above mentioned method and numerical results are given.In the fifth section, the conclusion drawn from this study and discussion about this issue are given. Accordingly, it was indicated that optimum design of truss systems can be done using library optimization functions available in MATLAB. It was also understood that the optimum design of other structural systems can be easily done using the method explained in this study.