Design Optimization of Structures with Shape Memory Alloy Member Actuators

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2013A capability was developed to build a perform mass-minimization of a truss with SMA actuation to determine optimal element diameters and actuator applied temperature changes. The Nonlinear Programming/Approximation Concepts (NLP/AC) approach was used. This method is based on using a sequence of approximate optimization problems rather than optimizing with the full nonlinear analyses. Some special approximations based on new intermediate variables were used. Results are presented and analyzed