VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Structural Optimization
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:17
Abstract
The course covers fundamentals of structural optimization in terms of the optimal design of topology, shape, size and material for discrete and continuous representations of structures. It develops skills to formally state and model structural design tasks as optimization problems and select appropriate methods to solve them.
Objective
The course covers fundamentals of structural optimization in terms of the optimal design of topology, shape, size and material for discrete and continuous representations of structures. After taking the course students will be able to express structural design problems as formal optimization problems. Students will also be able to select and apply a suitable optimization method given the nature of the optimization model. They will understand the foundations of the state-of-the art structural optimization methods in order to design more efficient and performance optimized technical products. The exercises are MATLAB based.
Content
- Topology optimization of truss structures - Topology optimization by distribution of isotropic material - Structural optimization for additive manufacture
Resources
Lecture Notes
Available on Moodle.
Literature
Suggested literature: Haftka, R. T., & Gürdal, Z. (2012). Elements of structural optimization (Vol. 11). Springer Science & Business Media. Bendsøe, M. P., & Sigmund, O. (2004). Optimization of structural topology, shape, and material (Vol. 414). Berlin etc: Springer.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 60
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Structural Optimization |
|
4 h weekly |
Offered In
-
-
Core Courses (The Core Courses in the Master’s program Mechanical Engineering listed below are indicative and include courses designed by the Department at the Master's level. With the approval of the tutor, students may also select Master's-level courses offered by other departments at ETH. These courses will be marked as non-regular in the LAG, but their categorization as Core Courses is possible if included in the approved LAG.)
-
-
Doctorate Materials Science (Further information at: )
-