A symbolic approach to discrete structural optimization using quantum annealing
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With the advent of novel quantum computing technologies, and the knowledge that such technology might be used to fundamentally change computing applications, a prime opportunity has presented itself to investigate the practical application quantum computing. The goal of this research is to consider one of the most basic forms of mechanical structure, namely a 2D system of truss elements, and find a method by which such a structure can be optimized using quantum annealing. The optimization will entail a discrete truss sizing problem - to select the best size for each truss member so as to minimize a stress-based objective function. To make this problem compatible with quantum annealing devices, it will be written in a QUBO format. This work is focused on exploring the feasibility of making this translation, and investigating the practicality of using a quantum annealer for structural optimization problems. Using the methods described, it is found that it is possible to translate this traditional engineering problem to a QUBO form and have it solved by a quantum annealer. However, scaling the method to larger truss systems faces some challenges that would require further research to address.
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