Journal• ISSN: 0934-4373
Structural Optimization
Springer Nature
About: Structural Optimization is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Optimization problem & Finite element method. It has an ISSN identifier of 0934-4373. Over the lifetime, 567 publications have been published receiving 27668 citations.
Topics: Optimization problem, Finite element method, Engineering design process, Shape optimization, Truss
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Papers
TL;DR: In this article, various ways of removing this discrete nature of the problem by the introduction of a density function that is a continuous design variable are described. But none of these methods can be used for shape optimization in a general setting.
Abstract: Shape optimization in a general setting requires the determination of the optimal spatial material distribution for given loads and boundary conditions. Every point in space is thus a material point or a void and the optimization problem is a discrete variable one. This paper describes various ways of removing this discrete nature of the problem by the introduction of a density function that is a continuous design variable. Domains of high density then define the shape of the mechanical element. For intermediate densities, material parameters given by an artificial material law can be used. Alternatively, the density can arise naturally through the introduction of periodically distributed, microscopic voids, so that effective material parameters for intermediate density values can be computed through homogenization. Several examples in two-dimensional elasticity illustrate that these methods allow a determination of the topology of a mechanical element, as required for a boundary variations shape optimization technique.
4,183 citations
TL;DR: The current knowledge about numerical instabilities such as checkerboards, mesh-dependence and local minima occurring in applications of the topology optimization method are summarized and the methods with which they can be avoided are listed.
Abstract: In this paper we seek to summarize the current knowledge about numerical instabilities such as checkerboards, mesh-dependence and local minima occurring in applications of the topology optimization method. The checkerboard problem refers to the formation of regions of alternating solid and void elements ordered in a checkerboard-like fashion. The mesh-dependence problem refers to obtaining qualitatively different solutions for different mesh-sizes or discretizations. Local minima refers to the problem of obtaining different solutions to the same discretized problem when choosing different algorithmic parameters. We review the current knowledge on why and when these problems appear, and we list the methods with which they can be avoided and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.
2,082 citations
TL;DR: A survey of recent publications in the field of aerospace where interest in MDO has been particularly intense is presented, focused on the interaction of the structures discipline with other disciplines.
Abstract: The increasing complexity of engineering systems has sparked increasing interest in multidisciplinary optimization (MDO). This paper presents a survey of recent publications in the field of aerospace where interest in MDO has been particularly intense. The two main challenges of MDO are computational expense and organizational complexity. Accordingly the survey is focused on various ways different researchers use to deal with these challenges. The survey is organized by a breakdown of MDO into its conceptual components. Accordingly, the survey includes sections on Mathematical Modeling, Design- oriented Analysis, Approximation Concepts, Optimization Procedures, System Sensitivity, and Human Interface. With the authors'' main expertise being in the structures area, the bulk of the references focus on the interaction of the structures discipline with other disciplines. In particular, two sections at the end focus on two such interactions that have recently been pursued with a particular vigor: Simultaneous Optimization of Structures and Aerodynamics, and Simultaneous Optimization of Structures Combined With Active Control.
1,252 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a geometrical argument as to why the Pareto curve is convex, and show that this is not the case for all parts of the set.
Abstract: A standard technique for generating the Pareto set in multicriteria optimization problems is to minimize (convex) weighted sums of the different objectives for various different settings of the weights. However, it is well-known that this method succeeds in getting points from all parts of the Pareto set only when the Pareto curve is convex. This article provides a geometrical argument as to why this is the case.
1,247 citations
TL;DR: The goal of the research reported here is to develop rigorous optimization algorithms to apply to some engineering design problems for which direct application of traditional optimization approaches is not practical.
Abstract: The goal of the research reported here is to develop rigorous optimization algorithms to apply to some engineering design problems for which design application of traditional optimization approaches is not practical. This paper presents and analyzes a framework for generating a sequence of approximations to the objective function and managing the use of these approximations as surrogates for optimization. The result is to obtain convergence to a minimizer of an expensive objective function subject to simple constraints. The approach is widely applicable because it does not require, or even explicitly approximate, derivatives of the objective. Numerical results are presented for a 31-variable helicopter rotor blade design example and for a standard optimization test example.
1,120 citations
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Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 1999 | 62 |
| 1998 | 65 |
| 1997 | 64 |
| 1996 | 66 |
| 1995 | 66 |