LATEST APPROACHES AND METHODS OF OPTIMAL STRUCTURAL DESIGN (overview)

The relevance of the work. Addressing the challenges of modern engineering related to the safety and reliability of various structures and systems defines the relevance of this topic. Solving these challenges requires innovative approaches to the design and analysis of structures. Optimal design of structures represents a search for the “golden mean” in contemporary engineering analysis, aimed at improving efficiency, safety, and robustness across diverse fields, including civil engineering, aerospace, and the automotive industry. Recent advances have transformed optimization methods from purely theoretical constructs into practical tools, largely due to significant progress in computational technologies. Purpose. The objective is to review key methodologies – such as size, shape, and topology optimization – and modern computational approaches, including variational methods, differential equations, stochastic optimization, and the integration of machine learning, while assessing their effectiveness through potential applications. Methodology. The study involves an analytical review of current trends in structural optimization, with particular attention to their application in dynamic design and under uncertainty, emphasizing their ability to address complex, multidimensional problems. The results. An analytical investigation of contemporary methods of optimal design has been conducted. The review highlights major directions in the development of structural optimization: stochastic, adaptive, and multi-objective optimization; optimization under dynamic and seismic loads; and additive manufacturing, which expands the frontiers of structural design. Current challenges are outlined, including the need for interpretable artificial intelligence models and the scalability of digital twins, along with prospective research directions aimed at further enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of optimal solutions.