Abstract:Size, shape and topology optimizations are involved in the structural design of partial singlelayer reticulated shells. To meet the requirements of computation efficiency during preliminary design, a uniform design method was adopted to achieve multilevel optimization. Only existing software packages for reticulated shells were used in the experiment design. By regressing the computing data, approximate functional relations between the indexes (steel weight, deflections, basic frequency, and minimal nonlinear buckling load) and variables (rise of the shell, singlelayer area, and design stress ratio for singlelayer members) were obtained. The best combination of the variables was acquired by solving a simple programming problem. Comparative design of a multipointsupported hexagonal reticulated shell verified the efficiency and reliability of this approach.