Skip to main content
Log in

Parameter free shape and thickness optimisation considering stress response

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the parameter free approach, FE-based data are used as design variables, such as nodal coordinates and nodal thickness. During shape and thickness optimisation, this approach provides much design freedom for a limited modelling effort. Stress results are, however, very sensitive to the local shape changes that can occur during parameter free optimisation. When stress results are used as response function, this irregularity can complicate the optimisation. As a solution, the Kreisselmeier-Steinhauser function for the stresses is introduced as a response function for parameter free shape optimisation. In this function, the local stress results are aggregated to obtain a global measure of stress in a structure. This measure can be used as an objective to reduce the overall stress in the structure or as a constraint to limit the stress in the structure to a maximum allowable value. As a result, the optimal structures are smooth and material efficient. Several examples are presented in this paper to illustrate the use of the parameter free design approach in combination with the stress response function.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akgün M, Haftka R, Wu K, Walsh J, JH G (2001) Efficient structural optimization for multiple load cases using adjoint sensitivities. AIAA J 39(3):511–516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnout S, Lombaert G, Degrande G, De Roeck G (2011) The optimal design of a barrel vault in the conceptual design stage. Comput Struct. doi:10.1016/j.compstruc.2011.10.013

  • Arora J (ed) (1997) Guide to structural optimization. No 90 in ASCE manuals and reports on engineering practice. ASCE, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Barthelemy B, Haftka R (1990) Accuracy analysis of the semi-analytical method for shape sensitivity calculation. Mech Struct Mach 18(3):407–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennet M, Botkin JA (1984) Structural shape optimization with geometric description and adaptive mesh refinement. AIAA J 23(1):458–464

    Google Scholar 

  • Bletzinger KU, Firl M, Daoud F (2008) Approximation of derivatives in semi-analytical structural optimization. Comput Struct 86:1404–1416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bletzinger KU, Firl M, Linhard J, Wüchner R (2009a) Optimization of bead topologies for shell structures. In: 8th World congress on structural and multidisciplinary optimization. Lisbon, Portugal

  • Bletzinger KU, Linhard J, Wüchner R (2009b) Extended and integrated numerical form finding and patterning of membrane structures. J Int Assoc Shell Spat Struct 50(1):35–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Bletzinger KU, Firl M, Fischer M (2010a) Parameter free shape design of thin shells: efficient and effective, parallel solution techniques for very large design problems. In: 2nd international conference on engineering optimization. Lisbon, Portugal

  • Bletzinger KU, Firl M, Linhard J, Wüchner R (2010b) Optimal shapes of mechanically motivated surfaces. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 199:324–333

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Braibant V, Fleury C (1984) Shape optimal design using B-splines. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 44:247–267

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Chang K (1992) Optimality criteria methods using K-S functions. Struct Optim (4):213–217

  • Cheng G, Olhoff N (1993) New method of error analysis and detection in semi-analytical sensitivity analysis. In: Rozvany G (ed) Optimization of large structural systems, vol 1 and 231, pp 361–383

  • Farin G (1990) Curves and surfaces for computer aided geometric design, 2nd edn. Computer Science and Scientific Computing, Academic Press, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • Firl M (2010) Optimal shape design of shell structures. Phd thesis, Chair of structural analysis, Technische Universität München

  • Haftka R, Gürdal Z (1992) Elements of structural optimization. Solid mechanics and its applications, vol 11. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands

  • Hinton E, Rao N, Ozakca M (1991) An integrated approach to structural shape optimization of linearly elastic structures. Part I: general methodology. Comput Syst Eng 2(1):27–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holzleitner L, Mahmoud K (1999) Structural shape optimization using MSC/NASTRAN and sequential quadratic programming. Comput Struct 70:487–514

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Imam M (1982) Three-dimensional shape optimization. Int J Numer Methods Eng 18(5):661–673

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Kegl M, Brank B (2006) Shape optimization of truss-stiffend shell structures with variable thickness. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 195(19–22):2611–2634

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Kirsch U (1993) Structural optimization. Springer

  • Lagaros N, Papadopoulos V (2006) Optimum design of shell structures with random geometric, material and thickness imperfections. Int J Solids Struct 43:6948–6964

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Lagaros N, Fragiadakis M, Papadrakakis M (2004) Optimum design of shell structures with stiffening beams. AIAA J 42(1):175–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le C, Norato J, Bruns T, Ha C, Tortorelli D (2010) Stress-based topology optimization for continua. Struct Multidisc Optim 41(4): 605–620

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le C, Bruns T, Tortorelli D (2011) A gradient-based, parameter-free approach to shape optimization. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 200:985–996

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Lee S, Hinton E (2000) Dangers inherited in shells optimized with linear assumptions. Comput Struct 78:473–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martins J, Poon M (2005) On structural optimization using constraint aggregation. In: Proceedings of the 6th World congress on strucutral and multidisciplinary optimization. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • París J, Navarrina F, Colominas I, Casteleiro M (2010) Stress constraints sensitivity analysis in structural topology optimization. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 199:2110–2122

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen N, Nielsen A (2003) Optimization of practical trusses with constraints on eigenfrequencies, displacements, stresses, and buckling. Struct Multidisc Optim 25:436–445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu G, Li X (2010) A note on the derivation of global stress constriants. Struct Multidisc Optim 40:625–628

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Schumacher A (2005) Optimierung mechanischer strukturen. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimoda M, Iwasa K, Azegami H (2009) A shape optimization method for the optimal free-form design of shell structures. In: 8th World congress on structural and multidisciplinary optimization. Lisbon, Portugal

  • Sobieszczanski-Sobieski J (1991) A technique for locating function roots and for satisfying equality constraints in optimization. NASA TM-10403 NASA LaRC

  • Taylor J, Bendsøe M (1984) An interpretation for min–max structural design problems including a method for relaxing constraints. Int J Solids Struct 20(4):301–314

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Tysmans T, Adriaenssens S, Wastiels J (2009) Shape optimization of small span textile reinforced cementitious composite shells. In: Proceedings of the international association for of shell & spatial structures symposium. Valencia, Spain

  • Wang D, Whang W, Jiang J (2002) Truss shape optimization with multiple displacements constraints. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 191:3597–3612

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Wüchner R, Bletzinger KU (2005) Stress-adapted numerical form finding of pre-stressed surfaces by the updated reference strategy. Int J Numer Methods Eng 64:143–166

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Zienkiewicz O, Campbell J (1973) Shape optimization and sequential linear programming. In: Gallagher R, Zienkiewicz O (eds) Optimum structural design. Wiley, New York, chap 7, pp 109–126

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was prepared during a research stay of the first author at the T.U. München. This research stay has been facilitated by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO). The first author is also a PhD. fellow of FWO. The financial support of FWO is gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Saartje Arnout.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Arnout, S., Firl, M. & Bletzinger, KU. Parameter free shape and thickness optimisation considering stress response. Struct Multidisc Optim 45, 801–814 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-011-0742-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-011-0742-8

Keywords

Navigation