A multiscale strategy for structural optimization

This paper presents a multiscale strategy dedicated to structural optimization. The applications concern the study of geometric details (such as holes, surface profiles, etc) within the structures with frictional contacts. The first characteristic of the method is that it uses a micro–macro approach. This approach is based on a domain decomposition into substructures and interfaces, which involves the resolution of independent ‘micro’ problems in each substructure and transfers ‘macro’ information only through the interfaces. The second characteristic is the use of a multiresolution strategy in order to reduce the computation cost for problems with evolving design parameters. The last characteristic is the capability to model the geometry of details without remeshing thanks to two features: the use of a local enrichment method , and the use of level set functions to easily modify the boundary of the detail during the optimization process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.