Performance-based optimization of structures: theory and applications

Performance-based Optimization of Structures introduces a method to bridge the gap between optimization theory and its practical applications to structural engineering. The performance-based optimization (PBO) method combines modern structural optimization theory with performance-based design concepts to produce a powerful technique for use in structural design. This book provides the latest PBO techniques for achieving optimal topologies and shapes of continuum structures with stress, displacement and mean compliance constraints. The emphasis is strongly placed on practical applications of automated PBO techniques to the strut-and-tie modeling of structural concrete, which includes reinforced and prestressed concrete structures. Basic concepts underlying the development of strut-and-tie models, design optimization procedure, and detailing of structural concrete are described in detail. The design optimization of lateral load resisting systems for multi-story steel and steel-concrete composite buildings is also presented. Numerous practical design examples are given which illustrate the nature of the load transfer mechanisms of structures

Structural design optimization

Guest Editorial, Special Issue on Structural Design Optimization, Advances in Structural Engineering, An International Journal, 2007, Vol. 10, No.6

Spin-spin interaction in the bulk of topological insulators

We apply mean-field theory and Hirsch-Fye quantum Monte Carlo method to study the spin-spin interaction in the bulk of three-dimensional topological insulators. We find that the spin-spin interaction has three different components: the longitudinal, the transverse and the transverse Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya-like terms. When the Fermi energy is located in the bulk gap of topological insulators, the spin-spin interaction decays exponentially due to Bloembergen-Rowland interaction. The longitudinal correlation is antiferromagnetic and the transverse correlations are ferromagnetic. When the chemical potential is in the conduction or valence band, the spin-spin interaction follows power law decay, and isotropic ferromagnetic interaction dominates in short separation limit.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figure