TY - JOUR
T1 - Linkage-based movable bridges
T2 - Design methodology and three novel forms
AU - Thrall, A. P.
AU - Adriaenssens, S.
AU - Paya-Zaforteza, I.
AU - Zoli, T. P.
N1 - Funding Information:
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. DGE-0646086 . Dr. Thrall is also grateful for support from the Norman J. Sollenberger Fellowship. Dr. Paya-Zaforteza has been involved with this research project while on appointment as a Postdoctoral Fellow under the Program for Postdoctoral Stays administered by the Spanish Ministry of Education (Contract Number EX-2008-0669 ). The authors are grateful for the advice of Professors Maria E.M. Garlock (Princeton University), David P. Billington (Princeton University), and James K. Guest (Johns Hopkins University). The authors would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions.
PY - 2012/4
Y1 - 2012/4
N2 - Linkages have been widely used in machines and deployable structures, but these mechanisms have rarely been employed in the design of movable bridges. This paper explores the use of linkages both to actuate the kinematic motion and to serve as structural elements of movable bridges. First, the design methodology for these forms is presented which includes (1) physical shape-finding to develop a conceptual design, (2) generation of a parametric model and kinematic equations, and (3) multi-objective structural optimization for minimum self-weight and minimum force for operation. This optimization procedure includes shape optimization to determine the lengths and relative angles of members and sizing optimization to design the section profiles of members to meet the specifications of current American bridge design code. Heuristic algorithms, including descent local search and multi-objective simulated annealing, are employed. Three novel linkage-based forms, featuring 38. m movable spans, that were designed using this methodology are presented. This research suggests the beginning of an investigation into alternative forms for movable bridges using linkages.
AB - Linkages have been widely used in machines and deployable structures, but these mechanisms have rarely been employed in the design of movable bridges. This paper explores the use of linkages both to actuate the kinematic motion and to serve as structural elements of movable bridges. First, the design methodology for these forms is presented which includes (1) physical shape-finding to develop a conceptual design, (2) generation of a parametric model and kinematic equations, and (3) multi-objective structural optimization for minimum self-weight and minimum force for operation. This optimization procedure includes shape optimization to determine the lengths and relative angles of members and sizing optimization to design the section profiles of members to meet the specifications of current American bridge design code. Heuristic algorithms, including descent local search and multi-objective simulated annealing, are employed. Three novel linkage-based forms, featuring 38. m movable spans, that were designed using this methodology are presented. This research suggests the beginning of an investigation into alternative forms for movable bridges using linkages.
KW - Descent local search
KW - Linkage
KW - Movable bridge
KW - Multi-objective simulated annealing
KW - Structural optimization
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U2 - 10.1016/j.engstruct.2011.12.031
DO - 10.1016/j.engstruct.2011.12.031
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84856583146
SN - 0141-0296
VL - 37
SP - 214
EP - 223
JO - Engineering Structures
JF - Engineering Structures
ER -