Optimization of diagonals in truss structures

Grasshopper
#1

Hi,

We are tree students that are using Grasshopper, Karamba and Galapagos for our bachelor thesis. We are all new to these programs since our school does not use them, and still have a lot to learn.

We are wrighting about optimization of truss elements, and how we can combine a truss structure to use less materials for a given load case.

Our lates challenge is to construct the diagonals so that they can move independent of each other. We want Galapagos to find the optimal number of diagonals and placement of these for a given load case.
How do we make the geometry so that the diagonals can move freely? Does anyone have any good solutions for this problem?

Thank you in advance. We really appreciate all the help we can get.

Mari

#2

Hi Mari,

A good start would be for you to upload a drawing or something to explain the problem. It would be helpful to upload a rhino or grasshopper file of what you have tried so far.
You are more likely to get some helpful advice if you read this first How to ask effective questions

This kind of optimization sounds quite doable

#3

Thanks for your feedback.
I will upload the .gh file.

#4

This is our file:
Truss_optimization_diagonals.gh (45.6 KB)

We have looked into an example from Karamba, that is very similar to want we want to accomplish. https://www.karamba3d.com/examples/simple/optimization-of-truss-diagonals/
But we can’t figure out how to create the geometry for the diagonals to move freely.