Tower structure optimization through finite element analyses

Abstract

Abstract In this study the objective is to obtain an optimal configuration for an antenna lattice tower which has an imposed height of 30 m. For this purpose, a variable geometric model which considers specific working parameters is created, and a 3D finite element (FE) model is generated by using beam and shell elements for an optimization study. The 3D FE analysis is updated automatically for each variant of the geometric model. The response surface methodology (RSM) is used together with the central composite design (CCD) approach as to optimize the response of the lattice tower. The model of the tower is subject to static and dynamic loadings, including earthquake analysis. A response spectrum analysis based on Rosenblueth's Double Sum Combination (ROSE) is performed because the natural frequencies resulting from the modal analysis have close values. The optimization solution algorithm used for the tower optimization is the nonlinear programming by quadratic Lagrangean (NLPQL), which is based on the gradient algorithm for models with only one objective function and several optimization restrictions. Out of three final candidate design solutions the one which gives the minimum mass is proposed.