Introduction

This book chapter discusses truss optimization, a rapidly growing field of structural optimization that has emerged over the past three decades. Truss optimization can be categorized into three types: size optimization, shape optimization, and topology optimization. While most truss optimization problems in the literature only consider stress and displacement constraints with multi-load conditions, few studies have incorporated frequency constraints, which are essential parameters particularly when the truss is subject to dynamic excitations. The simultaneous consideration of natural frequencies and buckling constraints increases the complexity of truss problems. Kinematic instability and invalid trusses are major obstacles in the optimization process, and they must be identified and handled efficiently to avoid a large number of unwanted analyses. This chapter provides an overview of these optimization techniques and highlights the challenges associated with truss optimization, including the importance of considering natural frequencies and buckling constraints.