Gradient-based combined structural and control optimization

This paper considers the combined structural and control optimization problem for flexible systems. The sum of structural mass and controlled system energy terms is minimized simultaneously in structural and control parameters using gradient searches. The purpose of control is to effectively suppress structural vibrations due to initial excitations. Starting with a baseline structural design, the objectives of the combined structural/control optimization are twofold: 1) to reduce the structure's mass, and 2) to reduce total system strain, kinetic and control energies observed when the structure is excited. The appropriate weighting of energy and structural mass for balanced design and the dependence of optimal designs on initial conditions are discussed. The ideas presented are illustrated through numerical simulations using a 10-bar cantilevered truss.