Discrete Structural Optimization

The engineering design of structures and machines consists often in finding the best solution among a finite number of feasible decisions. This volume comprises problems and solution methods for discrete structural optimization. Exact, approximate and heuristic methods are presented applying deterministic and stochastic approaches.

Topology Design Methods for Structural Optimization provides engineers with a basic set of design tools for the development of 2D and 3D structures subjected to single and multi-load cases and experiencing linear elastic conditions. Written by an expert team who has collaborated over the past decade to develop the methods presented, the book discusses essential theories with clear guidelines on how to use them. Case studies and worked industry examples are included throughout to illustrate practical applications of topology design tools to achieve innovative structural solutions. The text is intended for professionals who are interested in using the tools provided, but does not require in-depth theoretical knowledge. It is ideal for researchers who want to expand the methods presented to new applications, and includes a companion website with related tools to assist in further study. Provides design tools and methods for innovative structural design, focusing on the essential theory Includes case studies and real-life examples to illustrate practical application, challenges, and solutions Features accompanying software on a companion website to allow users to get up and running fast with the methods introduced Includes input from an expert team who has collaborated over the past decade to develop the methods presented

This book has grown out of lectures and courses given at Linköping University, Sweden, over a period of 15 years. It gives an introductory treatment of problems and methods of structural optimization. The three basic classes of geometrical - timization problems of mechanical structures, i. e. , size, shape and topology op- mization, are treated. The focus is on concrete numerical solution methods for d- crete and (?nite element) discretized linear elastic structures. The style is explicit and practical: mathematical proofs are provided when arguments can be kept e- mentary but are otherwise only cited, while implementation details are frequently provided. Moreover, since the text has an emphasis on geometrical design problems, where the design is represented by continuously varying—frequently very many— variables, so-called ?rst order methods are central to the treatment. These methods are based on sensitivity analysis, i. e. , on establishing ?rst order derivatives for - jectives and constraints. The classical ?rst order methods that we emphasize are CONLIN and MMA, which are based on explicit, convex and separable appro- mations. It should be remarked that the classical and frequently used so-called op- mality criteria method is also of this kind. It may also be noted in this context that zero order methods such as response surface methods, surrogate models, neural n- works, genetic algorithms, etc. , essentially apply to different types of problems than the ones treated here and should be presented elsewhere.

Proceedings of the IUTAM Symposium on Structural Optimization, Melbourne, Australia, February 9-13, 1988

Topology optimization is a relatively new and rapidly expanding field of structural mechanics. It deals with some of the most difficult problems of mechanical sciences but it is also of considerable practical interest, because it can achieve much greater savings than mere cross-section or shape optimization.

In recent years, the Finite Element Methods FEM were more and more employed in development and design departments as very fast working tools in order to determine stresses, deformations, eigenfrequencies etc. for all kinds of constructions under complex loading conditions. Meanwhile. very effective software systems have been developed by various research teams although some mathematical problems (e. g. convergence) have not been solved satisfac torily yet. In order to make further advances and to find a common language between mathe maticians and mechanicians the "Society for Applied Mathematics and Mechanics" (GAMM) agreed on the foundation of a special Committee: "Discretization Methods in Solid Mechanics" focussing on the following problems: - Structuring of various methods (displacement functions, hybrid and mixed approaches, etc. >, - Survey of approach functions (Lagrange-/Hermite-polynominals, Spline-functions), - Description of singularities, - Convergence and stability, - Practical and theoretical optimality to all mentioned issues (single and interacting). One of the basic aims of the GAMM-Committee is the interdisciplinary cooperation between mechanicians, mathematicians, and users which shall be intensified. Thus, on September 22, 1985 the committee decided to hold a seminar on "Structural Optimization" in order to allow an exchange of experiences and thoughts between the experts of finite element methods and those of structural optimization. A GAMM-seminar entitled "Discretization Methods and Structural Optimization - Procedures and Applications" was hold on October 5-7, 1988 at the Unversity of Siegen.

The field of structural optimization is still a relatively new field undergoing rapid changes in methods and focus. Until recently there was a severe imbalance between the enormous amount of literature on the subject, and the paucity of applications to practical design problems. This imbalance is being gradually redressed. There is still no shortage of new publications, but there are also exciting applications of the methods of structural optimizations in the automotive, aerospace, civil engineering, machine design and other engineering fields. As a result of the growing pace of applications, research into structural optimization methods is increasingly driven by real-life problems. t-.Jost engineers who design structures employ complex general-purpose software packages for structural analysis. Often they do not have any access to the source program, and even more frequently they have only scant knowledge of the details of the structural analysis algorithms used in this software packages. Therefore the major challenge faced by researchers in structural optimization is to develop methods that are suitable for use with such software packages. Another major challenge is the high computational cost associated with the analysis of many complex real-life problems. In many cases the engineer who has the task of designing a structure cannot afford to analyze it more than a handful of times.