• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.1389-1410
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• 2016

This paper proposes a hybrid of topological derivative-based level set method (LSM) and isogeometric analysis (IGA) for structural topology optimization. In topology optimization a significant drawback of the conventional LSM is that it cannot create new holes in the design domain. In this study, the topological derivative approach is used to create new holes in appropriate places of the design domain, and alleviate the strong dependency of the optimal topology on the initial design. Furthermore, the values of the gradient vector in Hamilton-Jacobi equation in the conventional LSM are replaced with a Delta function. In the topology optimization procedure IGA based on Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) functions is utilized to overcome the drawbacks in the conventional finite element method (FEM) based topology optimization approaches. Several numerical examples are provided to confirm the computational efficiency and robustness of the proposed method in comparison with derivative-based LSM and FEM.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.221-242
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• 2023

Internal and external corrosion are common in pressure pipes used in a variety of industries, often resulting in defects that compromise their integrity. This economically and industrially significant problem calls for both preventive and curative technical solutions to guarantee the reliability of these structures. With this in mind, our study focuses on the influence of composite and metallic patch repairs on the limit loads of pipes, particularly elbows, the critical component of piping systems. To this end, we used the nonlinear extended finite element method (X-FEM) to study elbows, a priori corroded on the internal surface of the extrados section, then repaired with composite and metallic patches. In addition, the effect of the geometry of composite materials and metal patches was examined, in particular the effect of their thickness and material on the increase in limit loads of repaired structures. The results obtained provide information on the effectiveness and optimization of patch repair of corroded elbows, with the aim of increasing their service life.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.31-40
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• 2017

This article aims at presenting multi objective optimization of parameters that affect crashworthiness characteristics of bi-tubular structures using Taguchi method with grey relational analysis. To design the experiments, the $L_9$ orthogonal array has been used and based on that, the inner tubes have been fabricated by varying the three influence factors such as reference diameter, length difference and numbers of sides of the polygon with three levels, but all the outer cylinders have the same diameter and length 90 mm and 135 mm respectively. Then, the tailor made bi-tubular steel structures were subjected into quasi static axial compression. From the test results it is found that the crushing behaviors of bi-tubular structures with different combinations were fairly significant. The important responses (crashworthiness indicators) specific energy absorption and crush force efficiency have been evaluated from load - displacement curve. Finally optimal levels of parameters were identified using grey relational analysis, and significance of parameters was determined by analysis of variance. The optimum crashworthiness parameters are reference diameter 80 mm, length difference 0 mm and number of sides of polygon is 3, i.e., triangle within the selected nine bi-tube combinations.

• 한국전산구조공학회논문집
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.293-299
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• 2016

본 논문은 확장된 프로젝션 기법을 사용한 위상 최적설계 방법을 다루고 있다. 다양한 형상과 길이 스케일을 가지는 프로젝션 함수를 개발해 위상 최적설계 기법에 적용시킴으로써, 복합재료의 설계에서 형상 및 크기가 미리 주어진 보강재의 최적 배치를 위상 최적설계를 통해 결정할 수 있음을 확인하였다. 또한 이와 같은 프로젝션 기법이 균질화법과 결합되어 체적탄성률 또는 전단탄성률 등의 유효 재료특성을 최대화시키는 단위 구조를 설계함으로써, 주기 구조를 가지는 복합재료에서 보강재의 최적 배치를 결정하고 그 유효 재료특성값을 수치적으로 계산할 수 있음을 여러 수치 예제들을 통해서 검증하였다.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.455-466
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• 2019

Despite the rapid advancement in computing resources, many real-life design and optimization problems in structural engineering involve huge computation costs. To counter such challenges, approximate models are often used as surrogates for the highly accurate but time intensive finite element models. In this paper, surrogates for first-order shear deformation based finite element models are built using a polynomial regression approach. Using statistical techniques like Box-Cox transformation and ANOVA, the effectiveness of the surrogates is enhanced. The accuracy of the surrogate models is evaluated using statistical metrics like $R^2$, $R^2{_{adj}}$, $R^2{_{pred}}$ and $Q^2{_{F3}}$. By combining these surrogates with nature-inspired multi-criteria decision-making algorithms, namely multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO), the optimal combination of various design variables to simultaneously maximize fundamental frequency and frequency separation is predicted. It is seen that the proposed approach is simple, effective and good at inexpensively producing a host of optimal solutions.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.89-107
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• 2024

This article focuses on the static and dynamic analysis and optimization of an anisogrid lattice plate subjected to axial compressive load with simply supported boundary conditions. The lattice plate includes diagonal and transverse ribs and is modeled as an orthotropic plate with effective stiffness properties. The study employs the first-order shear deformation theory and the Ritz method with a Legendre approximation function. In the realm of optimization, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II is utilized as an evolutionary multi-objective algorithm to optimize. The research findings are validated through finite element analysis. Notably, this study addresses the less-explored areas of optimizing the geometric parameters of the plate by maximizing the buckling load and natural frequency while minimizing mass. Furthermore, this study attempts to fill the gap related to the analysis of the post-buckling behavior of lattice plates, which has been conspicuously overlooked in previous research. This has been accomplished by conducting nonlinear analyses and scrutinizing post-buckling diagrams of this type of lattice structure. The efficacy of the continuous methods for analyzing the natural frequency, buckling, and post-buckling of these lattice plates demonstrates that while a degree of accuracy is compromised, it provides a significant amount of computational efficiency.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.1023-1047
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• 2015

In this study, the optimal location of the MR fluid segments in a partially treated laminated composite sandwich plate has been identified to maximize the natural frequencies and the loss factors. The finite element formulation is used to derive the governing differential equations of motion for a partially treated laminated composite sandwich plate embedded with MR fluid and rubber material as the core layer and laminated composite plate as the face layers. An optimization problem is formulated and solved by combining finite element analysis (FEA) and genetic algorithm (GA) to obtain the optimal locations to yield maximum natural frequency and loss factor corresponding to first five modes of flexural vibration of the sandwich plate with various combinations of weighting factors under various boundary conditions. The proposed methodology is validated by comparing the natural frequencies evaluated at optimal locations of MR fluid pockets identified through GA coupled with FEA and the experimental measurements. The converged results suggest that the optimal location of MR fluid pockets is strongly influenced not only by the boundary conditions and modes of vibrations but also by the objectives of maximization of natural frequency and loss factors either individually or combined. The optimal layout could be useful to apply the MR fluid pockets at critical components of large structure to realize more efficient and compact vibration control mechanism with variable damping.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.509-516
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• 2018

The differential quadrature (DQ) and teaching-learning based optimization (TLBO) methods are coupled to introduce a hybrid numerical method for maximizing fundamental natural frequency of laminated composite skew plates. The fiber(s) orientations are selected as design variable(s). The first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is used to obtain the governing equations of the plate. The equations of motion and the related boundary conditions are discretized in space domain by employing the DQ method. The discretized equations are transferred from the time domain into the frequency domain to obtain the fundamental natural frequency. Then, the DQ solution is coupled with the TLBO method to find the maximum frequency of the plate and its related optimum stacking sequences of the laminate. Convergence and applicability of the proposed method are shown and the optimum fundamental frequency parameter of the plates with different skew angle, boundary conditions, number of layers and aspect ratio are obtained. The obtained results can be used as a benchmark for further studies.

• 대한조선학회논문집
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.104-113
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• 2020

The study aims to improve the previous theory-based algorithm on the lightweight design of laminate structures of a composite ship based on the mechanical properties of fiber, resin, and laminates obtained from experiments. From a case study on using a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of e-glass fiber woven roving fabric/polyester resin used as the raw material for the hull of a 52 ft composite ship, the equation for calculating the weight of laminate was redefined, and the relationship between decreasing mechanical properties and increasing glass content was determined from the results of material testing according to ASTM D5083 and ASTM D790. After applying these experimental data to the existing algorithm and improving it, a possible laminate design that maximizes the specific strength of the composite material was confirmed. In a case study that applied the existing algorithm based on rules, the optimal lightweight design of composite structures was achieved when the weight fraction of e-glass fiber was increased by 57.5% compared with that in the original design, but the improved algorithm allowed for an increase of only 17.5%.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.663-678
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• 2020

This paper proposes a novel topology optimization method generating multiple materials for external linear plane crack structures based on the combination of IsoGeometric Analysis (IGA) and eXtended Finite Element Method (X-FEM). A so-called eXtended IsoGeometric Analysis (X-IGA) is derived for a mechanical description of a strong discontinuity state's continuous boundaries through the inherited special properties of X-FEM. In X-IGA, control points and patches play the same role with nodes and sub-domains in the finite element method. While being similar to X-FEM, enrichment functions are added to finite element approximation without any mesh generation. The geometry of structures based on basic functions of Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) provides accurate and reliable results. Moreover, the basis function to define the geometry becomes a systematic p-refinement to control the field approximation order without altering the geometry or its parameterization. The accuracy of analytical solutions of X-IGA for the crack problem, which is superior to a conventional X-FEM, guarantees the reliability of the optimal multi-material retrofitting against external cracks through using topology optimization. Topology optimization is applied to the minimal compliance design of two-dimensional plane linear cracked structures retrofitted by multiple distinct materials to prevent the propagation of the present crack pattern. The alternating active-phase algorithm with optimality criteria-based algorithms is employed to update design variables of element densities. Numerical results under different lengths, positions, and angles of given cracks verify the proposed method's efficiency and feasibility in using X-IGA compared to a conventional X-FEM.