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Structural optimization in geotechnical engineering: basics and application

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Abstract

Structural optimization methods are used for a wide range of engineering problems. In geotechnical engineering however, only limited experience exists with these methods. The difficulties in applying such methods to geotechnical problems are discussed in this paper, and the adaption of the commonly known SIMP-method to geotechnical problems is introduced for a special case. An application example is used to present the potential of topology optimization methods, and the application to geotechnical engineering is evaluated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Management, Hamburg University of Technology, Harburger Schloßstr. 20, 21079, Hamburg, Germany

    T. Pucker & J. Grabe

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  1. T. Pucker
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  2. J. Grabe
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Correspondence to T. Pucker.

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Pucker, T., Grabe, J. Structural optimization in geotechnical engineering: basics and application. Acta Geotech. 6, 41–49 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-011-0134-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-011-0134-7

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