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SUMMARY:Linkage-Based Movable Bridges: Design and Optimization - Dr Ashley
  P. Thrall - University of Notre Dame
DTSTART:20120517T140000Z
DTEND:20120517T150000Z
UID:TALK37693@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Lorna Everett
DESCRIPTION:The trend in movable bridge design over the last century has b
 een to select simple forms for bascule\, swing\, and vertical lift bridges
  that have a minimum number of moving parts.  Recent advances in technolog
 y\, however\, have resulted in a renewed interest in innovative forms.  Wi
 th this renewed interest in mind\, this presentation will explore the use 
 of linkages as the main kinematic and structural elements of movable bridg
 es.  Linkages\, though widely used in machines and in deployable structure
 s\, have rarely been employed in movable bridge design.  The presentation 
 will first describe a design methodology for linkage-based movable bridges
  which includes 1) physical shape-finding to arrive at conceptual designs\
 , 2) generating parametric models and kinematic equations\, and 3) shape a
 nd sizing structural optimization using heuristic algorithms such as simul
 ated annealing. Multi-objective structural optimization for minimum self-w
 eight and minimum force required for operation is utilized to determine a 
 pareto-optimal set of designs that meet the constraints of current America
 n bridge design code and meet compatibility equations for prescribed kinem
 atic behavior. Based on design priorities\, this approach allows for the s
 election of a final solution. This methodology will be demonstrated for th
 ree novel forms which meet the design requirements for the Woodrow Wilson 
 Bridge Design Competition (November 1998) site - a crossing between Alexan
 dria\, Virginia and Oxon Hill\, Maryland\, USA.  The presentation will con
 clude with a brief discussion of the on-going research projects of the Kin
 etic Structures Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame\, I
 ndiana\, USA).
LOCATION:Engineering Department - **LR5**
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