This book contains 36 papers presented at the Sixth International Conference on Computer Aided Optimum Design of Structures (OPTI 99), held in Orlando, Florida, March 16-18, 1999. Conference delegates came from universities, private and public research centers, as well as from industry.
The conferences have been held every two years since 1989, alternately in the US and Europe. The conferences have provided structural optimization researchers from around the world the opportunity to exchange new ideas. The book thus provides state-of-the-art information on the research and industrial applications of structural optimization.
Computer-aided design and optimization are themes which run through the papers contained in these proceedings. Subjects presented included shape optimization, optimal control, multi-objective and expert systems optimization, as well as linear and non-linear structural optimization, and integrated packages for optimum design. Papers are also included on the subjects of advances in numerical optimization addressing genetic algorithms and parallel computing.
Finally, a series of contribution are devoted to applications of optimization to mechanical engineering design issues such as increasing component reliability and optimal design of reinforced members to ensure crash worthiness.
