Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengalur, 560 012, India
"The more you think, the less material you need"
ME260
Structural Optimization
Size, Shape, and Topology
Aug. 2026 to Nov. 2026
Instructor: G. K. Ananthasuresh, Room 106, ME Building, suresh@iisc.ac.in
Teaching assistant: Lubaid Nisar lubaidnisar@iisc.ac.in
Lectures: Tu, Th: 08:30 AM - 10:00 AM; Venue: ME MMCR
Course work

This content of the course is divided into three segments:

  1. Structural optimization using finite-variable optimization
  2. Structural optimization in the framework of calculus of variations
  3. Sensitivity analysis; design parameterization and numerical methods for multiphysics optimization problems.
In each segment, there will be approximately 10 lectures. In addition to homeworks and a mini project, there will be a course project to be submitted at the end of the semester. The project will entail computational work and programming in Matalb. A presentation is required at the end of the semester.

Thus, grading is optimized evenly across several components: four homework assignments, a mini project, midterm, a project, and a term paper.

Grading

For a total of 100 points, we have:

  1. Homeworks: 6 with 5 points for each: 30
  2. A mini project: 10
  3. Daily quizzes: 10
  4. Midterm examination: 30
  5. Project: 20
Homeworks, the mini project, and the project must be done individually. And you are allowed to discuss homeworks with anyone. Peer learning is as important as learning from the instructor.
The midterm examination will be in the open-everything mode, including any agentic AI tools. The emphasis of the course is that you master the subject matter so that you can apply it creatively and effectively to solve problems.

Homework assignments in 2026

Assigned Due Remarks
Homework 1 Aug. 11, 2026 Aug. 20, 2026 3D truss linear FEA Matlab code

Homework assignments in 2025

Assigned Due Remarks
Homework 1 Aug. 12 Aug. 19 Download relevant files from the Notes page (Week 2)
Homework 1 solution
Programming Assignment 1 Sep. 2 Sep. 9 Truss FEA files (inlcudes GroundStructure.m that generates the ground structure data with elements that connect every pair of a choses grid of points.
3D truss FEA files (for those who want to try 3D truss design
2D beam (frame) FEA files (for those who want to try 2D frame design suing the optimality criteria method
Homework 2 Sep. 11 Part A is due on Sep. 16th
Part B is due on Sep. 18th 		-
Midterm examination Sep. 25th, 2025 In-class for one hour; open-everything including the internet -
Homework 3 Oct. 14, 2025 Oct. 23, 2025 -
Programming Assignment 2 (to be posted) TBA TBA -
Homework 4 (to be posted) TBA TBA -
Project presentation Nov. 4, 2025 Dec. 2, 2025 -

Homework assignments in 2024

Assigned Due Remarks
Homework 1 Aug. 22 Aug. 29 -
Programming Assignment 1 Sep. 17 Oct. 1 -
Homework 2 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 -
Midterm examination Oct. 15 In-class for one hour; open-everything including the internet -
Homework 3 Oct. 11 Oct. 22 -
Programming Assignment 2 Nov. 14 Nov. 30 -
Homework 4 Nov. 14 Nov. 19 -
Project presentation Nov. 11 Dec. 4, 9 AM to 1 PM in ME MMCR -
Term paper Nov. 11 Dec. 6 -

Homework assignments in 2023

Assigned Due Remarks
Homework 1 Aug. 29th, 2023 Sep. 7th, 2023 -
Homework 2 Sep. 12th, 2023 Sep. 21st, 2023 -
Programming assignment 1 Sep. 21st, 2023 Oct. 5th, 2023 -
Homework 3 Oct. 17th, 2023 Oct. 26th, 2023 -
Homework 4 Nov. 14th, 2023 Nov. 21st, 2023 -
Programming assignment 2 Nov. 14th, 2023 Nov. 28th, 2023 -

Homework assignments in 2022

Assigned Due Remarks
Homework 1 Aug. 25th, 2022 Sep. 1st, 2022 Useful Matlab files
Solution files 1
Solution files 2 (shape optimization)
Homework 2 Sep. 1st, 2022 Sep. 8th, 2022 3D truss analysis code
Programming Assignment 1 Sep. 10th, 2022 Sep. 20th, 2022 -
Homework 3 Sep. 20th, 2022 Sep. 27th, 2022 -
Homework 4 Nov. 3rd, 2022 Nov. 17th, 2022 -
Programming assignment 2 Nov. 3rd, 2022 Nov. 22nd, 2022 -

Homework assignments in 2021

Assigned Due Remarks
Quiz 1 Aug. 20th, 2021/td> Aug. 24th, 2021 -
Quiz 2 Sep. 3rd, 2021/td> Sep. 7th, 2021 -
Programme assignment 1 Sep. 7th, 2021, 2021/td> Sep. 21th, 2021 -
Quiz 3 held in Zoom poll mode Sep. 24th, 2021 Sep. 24th, 2021 -
Quiz 4 held in Everyday Poll and takehome modes Oct. 8th, 2021 Oct. 12th, 2021 -
Programme assignment 2 Oct. 12th, 2021 Nov. 9th, 2021 -
Quiz 5 held in Everyday Poll Oct. 22nd, 2021 Oct. 22nd, 2021 -
Quiz 6 held in Everyday Poll Oct. 29th, 2021 Oct. 29th, 2021 -
Quiz 7 held in Everyday Poll Nov. 5th, 2021 Nov. 5th, 2021 -
Quiz 8 as do-it-at-home Nov. 19th, 2021 Nov. 23rd, 2021 -

Homework assignments in 2020

Assigned Due Remarks
Homework 1 Oct. 6th, 2020 Oct. 13th, 2020 -
Homework 2 Oct. 14th, 2020 Oct. 23th, 2020 -
Homework 3 Nov. 10th, 2020 Nov. 18th, 2020 -
Homework 4 Nov. 17th, 2020 Nov. 27th, 2020 -