• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2004

A FEM-based efficient method is developed for the shape optimization of 2-D structures. The combined SLP and Simplex method are coupled with finite element analysis. Selected set of master nodes on the design boundaries are employed as design variables and assigned to move towards their normal directions. The other nodes along the design boundaries are grouped into the master node. By interpolating the repositioned master nodes, the B-spline curves are formed so that the rest mid-nodes efficiently settle down on the B-spline curves. Mesh smoothing scheme is also applied for the nodes on the design boundary to maintain most finite elements in good quality. Finally, a numerical implementation of optimum design of an automobile torque converter piston subjected to pressure and centrifugal loads is presented. The results shows additional weight up to 13% may be saved after the shape optimization.