It is known that the topology optimization problem of frame structures can be formulated as mixed-integer second-order cone programming problem (MISOCP). Although MISOCP can obtain the global optimal solution, it is difficult to apply to large-scale frame structures due to its high computational cost. In this paper, such topology optimization problem is solved as a DC (Difference of Convex Functions) programming problem to reduce computational cost. The effectiveness of proposed approach is confirmed thorough numerical examples while comparing with the global optimal solution obtained by solving MISOCP.
