Truss Topology Optimization: A review

Truss topology optimization (TTO) is a design problem posed to find an initial truss layout while, in the later design stages, shape, and sizing designs are carried out. Often, all three design stages are combined and solved within one optimization run. Up to recently, there have been a great number of publications related to this research topic. Some of the literature reviews focus on TTO using classical methods and advanced optimization algorithms. However, this research covered a too narrow analysis, i.e. they either revealed only certain optimization algorithms or included some specific applications. None of this literature offered the complete and integrated view of TTO as it is planned in this chapter. This survey conveys a comprehensive representation of the investigation on TTO that has been done in the past, and that is on the way.