Optimization of least-weight grillages by finite element method

A numerical method is presented for the minimization of the volume of grillages with a stress constraint. The material distribution in the design domain is optimized by a fully-stressed criterion using a finite element method. The densities and orientations of the beams at nodes in grillages are taken as design variables, which vary in the design domain continuously. As intermediate densities are not suppressed in the optimization procedure, numerical instabilities are completely avoided. As a result, the optimal distribution fields of moments, deformation and material are obtained simultaneously. Subsequently the discrete structures are determined from the optimal distribution fields. The optimization procedure is accomplished by the computer program automatically. The capability of the proposed procedure is demonstrated on several classical benchmark problems.     

Weight optimization for flexural reinforced concrete beams with static nonlinear response

The weight optimization of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with material nonlinear response is formulated as a general nonlinear optimization problem. Incremental finite element procedures are used to integrate the structural response analysis and design sensitivity analysis in a consistent manner. In the finite element discretization, the concrete is modelled by plane stress elements and steel reinforcement is modelled by discrete truss elements. The cross-sectional areas of the steel and the thickness of the concrete are chosen as design variables, and design constraints can include the displacement, stress and sizing constraints. The objective function is the weight of the RC beams. The optimal design is performed by using the sequential linear programming algorithm for the changing process of design variables, and the gradient projection method for the calculations of the search direction. Three example problems are considered. The first two are demonstrated to show the stability and accuracy of the approaches by comparing previous results for truss and plane stress elements, separately. The last one is an example of an RC beam. Comparative cost objective functions are presented to prove the validity of the approach.     

Topology optimization of truss-like continuum structures for natural frequencies

A method to maximize the natural frequencies of vibration of truss-like continua with the constraint of material volume is presented. Truss-like is a kind of particular anisotropic continuum, in which there are finite numbers of members with infinitesimal spaces. Structures are analyzed by finite element method. The densities and orientations of members at nodes are taken as design variables. The densities and orientations of members in elements are interpolated by these values at nodes; therefore they vary continuously in design domain. For no intermediate densities being suppressed, there is no numerical instability, such as checkerboard patterns and one-node connected hinges. The natural frequency and its sensitivities of truss-like continuum are derived. Optimization is achieved by the techniques of moving asymptotes and steepest descent. Several numerical examples are provided to demonstrate this optimization method.     

Simultaneous design of components layout and supporting structures using coupled shape and topology optimization technique

The purpose of this paper was to study the layout design of the components and their supporting structures in a finite packing space. A coupled shape and topology optimization (CSTO) technique is proposed. On one hand, by defining the location and orientation of each component as geometric design variables, shape optimization is carried out to find the optimal layout of these components and a finite-circle method (FCM) is used to avoid the overlap between the components. On the other hand, the material configuration of the supporting structures that interconnect components is optimized simultaneously based on topology optimization method. As the FE mesh discretizing the packing space, i.e., design domain, has to be updated itertively to accommodate the layout variation of involved components, topology design variables, i.e., density variables assigned to density points that are distributed regularly in the entire design domain will be introduced in this paper instead of using traditional pseudo-density variables associated with finite elements as in standard topology optimization procedures. These points will thus dominate the pseudo-densities of the surrounding elements. Besides, in the CSTO, the technique of embedded mesh is used to save the computing time of the remeshing procedure, and design sensitivities are calculated w.r.t both geometric variables and density variables. In this paper, several design problems maximizing structural stiffness are considered subject to the material volume constraint. Reasonable designs of components layout and supporting structures are obtained numerically.     

Multiparametric shape optimal design of disks

The external boundary of a structure described by a set of design parameters undergoes shape modification. Arbitrary stress, strain and displacement functionals are defined within the domain of the structure and its first- and second-order sensitivities with respect to varying structural shape are discussed. The optimal shape design problem is then formulated and solved using the first- and second-order sensitivity information. The iterative analysis-redesign algorithm is formulated using the finite element method. Some illustrative examples are included.     

Automated optimization of transverse frame layouts for ships by elastic-plastic finite element analysis

This paper presents a model for the optimum design of ship transverse frames. An elastic-plastic finite element analysis algorithm for plane frames has been incorporated in the model to evaluate the ultimate strength of the overall frame, and different effects of design loads. Using these strengths and load effects, appropriate design constraints are then formulated to prevent different failure categories; the overall collapse, ultimate limit state failures and serviceability failures. Possible instabilities and effects of combined loads are accounted for in formulating these constraints. Scantlings of the frame structure have been modelled as free design variables. The weight function and different constraint functions are then derived relating design variables in such a way that once parameters for finite element analysis are input, the scheme automatically forms the objective function and all constraints, and then interacts with the simplex algorithm through sequential linearization to find the optimum solution. Thus the scheme is almost automatic. Different layouts of the frame structure have been designed by executing this scheme, which demonstrates the capability of the model and the possibility of weight savings by choosing the appropriate layout. Finally, it is suggested how this model would interact with the design of longitudinal materials to ensure the overall optimality in ship hull module design, to prevent grillage buckling and to validate underlying assumptions in analysis.     

最小位移类桁架连续体拓扑设计优化

为将拓扑优化中的柔度最小化问题拓展到一般位移最小化问题,用有限元划分设计域,采用类桁架连续体材料模型,并假设杆件在设计域内连续分布.将杆件在节点位置的密度和方向作为设计变量,将指定位置和方向的位移作为目标函数,采用基于目标函数梯度的优化准则法,通过优化杆件的连续分布场形成拓扑优化的类桁架连续体.该方法可结合结构力学的基本概念,选择部分杆件形成拓扑优化刚架.     

A Compact Fourth Order Scheme for the Helmholtz Equation in Polar Coordinates

In many problems, one wishes to solve the Helmholtz equation in cylindrical or spherical coordinates which introduces variable coefficients within the differentiated terms. Fourth order accurate methods are desirable to reduce pollution and dispersion errors and so alleviate the points-per-wavelength constraint. However, the variable coefficients renders existing fourth order finite difference methods inapplicable. We develop a new compact scheme that is provably fourth order accurate even for these problems. The resulting system of finite difference equations is solved by a separation of variables technique based on the FFT. Moreover, in the r direction the unbounded domain is replaced by a finite domain, and an exact artificial boundary condition is specified as a closure. This global boundary condition fits naturally into the inversion of the linear system. We present numerical results that corroborate the fourth order convergence rate for several scattering problems.     

Design sensitivity analysis with isoparametric shell elements

This paper deals with design sensitivity calculation by the direct differentiation method for isoparametric curved shell elements. Sensitivity parameters include geometric variables which influence the size and the shape of a structure, as well as the shell thickness. The influence of design variables, therefore, may be separated into two distinct contributions. The parametric mapping within an element, as well as the influence of geometric variables on the orientation of an element in space, is accounted for by the sensitivity calculation of geometric variables, and efficient formulations of sensitivity calculation are derived for the element stiffness, the geometric stiffness and the mass matrices. The methods presented here are applied to the sensitivity calculations of displacement, stress, buckling stress and natural frequency of typical basic examples such as a square plate and a cylindrical shell. The numerical results are compared with the theoretical solutions and finite difference values.     

Polygonal multiresolution topology optimization (PolyMTOP) for structural dynamics

We use versatile polygonal elements along with a multiresolution scheme for topology optimization to achieve computationally efficient and high resolution designs for structural dynamics problems. The multiresolution scheme uses a coarse finite element mesh to perform the analysis, a fine design variable mesh for the optimization and a fine density variable mesh to represent the material distribution. The finite element discretization employs a conforming finite element mesh. The design variable and density discretizations employ either matching or non-matching grids to provide a finer discretization for the density and design variables. Examples are shown for the optimization of structural eigenfrequencies and forced vibration problems.     

Sequential integer programming methods for stress constrained topology optimization

This paper deals with topology optimization of load carrying structures defined on a discretized design domain where binary design variables are used to indicate material or void in the various finite elements. The main contribution is the development of two iterative methods which are guaranteed to find a local optimum with respect to a 1-neighbourhood. Each new iteration point is obtained as the optimal solution to an integer linear programming problem which is an approximation of the original problem at the previous iteration point. The proposed methods are quite general and can be applied to a variety of topology optimization problems defined by 0-1 design variables. Most of the presented numerical examples are devoted to problems involving stresses which can be handled in a natural way since the design variables are kept binary in the subproblems.     

Structural optimization using global stress-deviation objective function via the level-set method

The paper deals with minimum stress design using a novel stress-related objective function based on the global stress-deviation measure. The shape derivative, representing the shape sensitivity analysis of the structure domain, is determined for the generalized form of the global stress-related objective function. The optimization procedure is based on the domain boundary evolution via the level-set method. The elasticity equations are, instead of using the usual ersatz material approach, solved by the extended finite element method. The Hamilton-Jacobi equation is solved using the streamline diffusion finite element method. The use of finite element based methods allows a unified numerical approach with only one numerical framework for the mechanical problem as also for the boundary evolution stage. The numerical examples for the L-beam benchmark and the notched beam are given. The results of the structural optimization problem, in terms of maximum von Mises stress corresponding to the obtained optimal shapes, are compared for the commonly used global stress measure and the novel global stress-deviation measure, used as the stress-related objective functions.     

Equivolumetric partition of solid spheres with applications to orientation workspace analysis of robot manipulators

Orientation workspace analysis is a critical issue in the design of robot manipulators, especially the spherical manipulators. However, there is a lack of effective methods for such analysis, because the orientation workspace of a robot manipulator is normally a subset of SO(3) (the special orthogonal group) with a complex boundary. Numerical approaches appear more practical in actual implementations. For numerical analysis, a finite partition of the orientation workspace in its parametric domain is necessary. It has been realized that the exponential coordinates parameterization is more appropriate for finite partition. With such a parameterization, the rigid body rotation group, i.e., SO(3), can be mapped to a solid sphere D/sup 3/ of radius /spl pi/ with antipodal points identified. A novel partition scheme is proposed to geometrically divide the parametric domain, i.e., the solid sphere D/sup 3/ of radius /spl pi/, into finite elements with equal volume. Subsequently, the volume of SO(3) can be numerically computed as a weighted volume sum of the equivolumetric elements, in which the weightages are the element-associated integration measures. In this way, we can simplify the partition scheme and also reduce the computation efforts, as the elements in the same partition layer (along the radial direction) have the same integration measure. The effectiveness of the partition scheme is demonstrated through analysis of the orientation workspace of a three-degree-of-freedom spherical parallel manipulator. Numerical convergence on various orientation workspace measures, such as the workspace volume and the global condition index, are obtained based on this partition scheme.     

基于特征造型的重载货车辗钢整体车轮结构设计优化

为减轻重载货车车轮的质量、提高使用寿命,将常规的设计优化方法、参数化特征造型和有限元分析结合,进行重载货车辗钢整体车轮设计优化.以车轮轻量化为优化目标,基于特征建模方法确定设计变量,用有限元分析确定车轮强度和刚度的约束条件,建立辗钢整体车轮的设计优化模型.设计优化和参数化特征造型为有限元分析提供轮辐的几何尺寸,有限元分析主要进行优化后的车轮应力分析,并判断优化后车轮应力是否得到改善.参照＂GB 8601—1988铁路用辗钢整体车轮＂,采用通用CAD/CAE软件建立重载货车辗钢整体车轮的三维实体模型,对其进行设计优化,取得满意的效果.     

Fault estimation observer design for discrete‐time systems in finite‐frequency domain

This paper proposes a framework of fault estimation observer design in finite‐frequency domain for discrete‐time systems. First, under the multiconstrained idea, a full‐order fault estimation observer in finite‐frequency domain is designed to achieve fault estimation by using the generalized Kalman–Yakubovich–Popov lemma to reduce conservatism generated by the entire frequency domain. Then, a reduced‐order fault estimation observer is constructed, which results in a new fault estimator to realize fault estimation using current output information. Furthermore, by introducing slack variables, improved results on full‐order fault estimation observer and reduced‐order fault estimation observer design with finite‐frequency specifications are obtained such that different Lyapunov matrices can be separately designed for each constraint. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the advantages of the theoretic results obtained. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adjoint design sensitivity analysis of dynamic crack propagation using peridynamic theory

Based on the peridynamics of the reformulated continuum theory, an adjoint design sensitivity analysis (DSA) method is developed for the solution of dynamic crack propagation problems using the explicit scheme of time integration. Non-shape DSA problems are considered for the dynamic crack propagation including the successive branching of cracks. The adjoint variable method is generally suitable for path-independent problems but employed in this bond-based peridynamics since its path is readily available. Since both original and adjoint systems possess time-reversal symmetry, the trajectories of systems are symmetric about the u-axis. We take advantage of the time-reversal symmetry for the efficient and concurrent computation of original and adjoint systems. Also, to improve the numerical efficiency of large scale problems, a parallel computation scheme is employed using a binary space decomposition method. The accuracy of analytical design sensitivity is verified by comparing it with the finite difference one. The finite difference method is susceptible to the amount of design perturbations and could result in inaccurate design sensitivity for highly nonlinear peridynamics problems with respect to the design. It is demonstrated that the peridynamic adjoint sensitivity involving history-dependent variables can be accurate only if the path of the adjoint response analysis is identical to that of the original response.     

Shape design sensitivity analysis of nonlinear structural systems

A unified approach is presented for shape design sensitivity analysis of nonlinear structural systems that include trusses and beams. Both geometric and material nonlinearities are considered. Design variables that specify the shape of components of built-up structures are treated, using the continuum equilibrium equations and the material derivative concept. To best utilize the basic character of the finite element method, shape design sensitivity information is expressed as domain integrals. For numerical evaluation of shape design sensitivity expressions, two alternative methods are presented: the adjoint variable and direct differentiation methods. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. Using the domain formulation of shape design sensitivity analysis, and the adjoint variable and direct differentiation methods, design sensitivity expressions are derived in the continuous setting in terms of shape design variations. A numerical method to implement the shape design sensitivity analysis, using established finite element codes, is discussed. Unlike conventional methods, the current approach does not require differentiation of finite element stiffness and mass matrices.     

A posteriori error estimates of finite element method for the time-dependent Darcy problem in an axisymmetric domain

We consider the time dependent Darcy problem in a three-dimensional axisymmetric domain and, by writing the Fourier expansion of its solution with respect to the angular variable, we observe that each Fourier coefficient satisfies a system of equations on the meridian domain. We propose a discretization of these equations in the case of general solution. This discretization relies on a backward Euler’s scheme for the time variable and finite elements for the space variables. We prove a posteriori error estimates that allow for an efficient adaptivity strategy both for the time steps and the meshes. Computations for an example with a known solution are presented which support the a posteriori error estimate.     

An extended functional network model and its application for a gas sensing system

Functional networks (FNs) are a promising numerical scheme that produces accurate solutions for several problems in science and engineering with less computational effort than other conventional numerical techniques such as neural networks. By using domain knowledge in addition to data knowledge, functional networks can be regarded as a generalization of neural networks: they allow to design arbitrary functional models without neglecting possible functional constraints involved by the model. The computational efficiency of functional networks can be improved by combining this scheme with finite differences when highly oscillating systems have to be considered. The main focus of this paper is on the possible questions arising from the application of this combined scheme to an identification problem when non-smooth functions are involved and noisy data are possible. These issues are not covered by the current literature. An extended version, based on a piecewise approach, and a stability criterion are proposed and applied to the quantitative identification problem in a gas sensing system in its transient state. Numerical simulations show that our scheme allows good accuracy, avoiding the error accumulation and the sensitivity to noisy data by means of the stability criterion.