OPTNSR: An interactive software system for optimal design of statically and dynamically loaded structures with nonlinear response

A software system for optimization-based, interactive computer-aided design of statically and dynamically loaded structures with nonlinear response is described. The system combines two programs, INTEROPTDYN and MINI-ANSR. The program INTEROPTDYN is based on a feasible directions algorithm for solving a constrained optimization problem, where both nonparametric and parametric (time-dependent) constraints are allowed. Program MINI-ANSR is a modification of an existing general purpose structural analysis program, ANSR-1. Details of these programs are described, together with an interfacing package connecting the analysis and optimization phases of the design process. Stop and restart capability as well as user-supplied changes in both design variables as well as parameters in the optimization algorithm are available.