Cellular growth algorithms for shape design of truss structures

This paper introduces a novel approach to truss structure shape design, drawing inspiration from biological processes, that treats each joint or member of a truss as a cell and the entire truss as a multicellular organism. The approach mimics plant tropisms in which, through cellular growth, cells change their size and shape in response to scripted gene commands. Examples illustrate the effectiveness of the approach; it is shown to produce arching and double-arching of pinned–pinned trusses, bulging of cantilever trusses and a plant-like tropic response.

► This paper introduced the cellular growth (CG) truss design approach. ► A joint algorithm searches locally and a member algorithm searches globally. ► Examples show truss double-arching, gravitropic response, and bulging.