Size

shape and topology optimizations are involved in the structural design of partial singlelayer reticulated shells. To meet the requirements of computation efficiency during preliminary design

a uniform design method was adopted to achieve multilevel 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

singlelayer area

and design stress ratio for singlelayer members) were obtained. The best combination of the variables was acquired by solving a simple programming problem. Comparative design of a multipointsupported hexagonal reticulated shell verified the efficiency and reliability of this approach.