Technical Thrust AreaLarge Scale Structural Systems and Optimal DesignDescriptionThe optimal design of large scale structural systems will enhance the survivability of man-made engineering systems and their interaction with natural phenomena. As such, a focus of this TTA is the reduction of the computation time of the forward problem solution using subscale models, reduced-order models, and/or the development of computational algorithms based on acceleration cards, e.g., GPUs. The computational power of the upcoming supercomputers will rely on these acceleration cards and thus porting current computational algorithms to support these cards is also of interest. Another focus of this TTA is the accurate modeling of failure of large scale structures across vast spatiotemporal scales: computational modeling of brittle or ductile failure initiation at the smallest scale and the accurate transition to the largest structural scale. Novel formulations and/or computational methods that effectively capture the complexity of fracture and damage phenomena are thus necessary. In addition, developments of novel optimization algorithms and design optimization formulations that efficiently handle a large number of design variables and various complex performance/fabrication constraints are vital. Finally, many large scale structural systems are subjected to a variety of environmental conditions, including mechanical, thermal, chemical, electromagnetic, and/or gravitational fields. Consequently, optimal design of such structures requires the development of new and advanced multiscale and multiphysics coupled computational algorithms.Topics of interest in the context of materials and large scale structures include:- Topology optimization- Failure modeling- Multiscale and multiphysics modeling- High performance computing and algorithms for modern architectures- Subscale and reduced-order modeling