• Computers and Concrete
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.445-462
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• 2014

To solve structural optimization problems, it is necessary to integrate a structural analysis package and an optimization package. There have been many packages that can be employed to analyze reinforced concrete plane frames. However, because most structural analysis packages suffer from closeness of systems, it is very difficult to integrate them with optimization packages. To overcome the difficulty, we proposed a possible alternative, DAMDO, which integrates Design, Analysis, Modeling, Definition, and Optimization phases into an integration environment as follows. (1) Design: first generate many possible structural design alternatives. Each design alternative consists of many design variables X. (2) Analysis: employ the structural analysis software to analyze all structural design alternatives to obtain their internal forces and displacements. They are the response variables Y. (3) Modeling: employ artificial neural networks to build the models Y=f(X) to obtain the relationship functions between the design variables X and the response variables Y. (4) Definition: employ the design variables X and the response variables Y to define the objective function and constraint functions. (5) Optimization: employ the optimization software to solve the optimization problem consisting of the objective function and the constraint functions to produce the optimum design variables. The RC frame optimization problem was examined to evaluate the DAMDO approach, and the empirical results showed that it can be solved by the approach.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.22 no.3 s.168
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• pp.146-153
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• 2005

In this paper, a multi-step optimization using genetic algorithm with variable penalty function is introduced to the structural design optimization of a grinding machine. The design problem, in this study, is to find out the optimum configuration and dimensions of structural members which minimize the static compliance, the dynamic compliance, and the weight of the machine structure simultaneously under several design constraints such as dimensional constraints, maximum deflection limit, safety criterion, and maximum vibration amplitude limit. The first step is shape optimization, in which the best structural configuration is found by getting rid of structural members that have no contributions to the design objectives from the given initial design configuration. The second and third steps are sizing optimization. The second design step gives a set of good design solutions having higher fitness for lightweight and minimum static compliance. Finally the best solution, which has minimum dynamic compliance and weight, is extracted from the good solution set. The proposed design optimization method was successfully applied to the structural design optimization of a grinding machine. After optimization, both static and dynamic compliances are reduced more than 58.4% compared with the initial design, which was designed empirically by experienced engineers. Moreover the weight of the optimized structure are also slightly reduced than before.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1996.10a
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• pp.304-312
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• 1996

Concepts, methods and tools for interactive CAD-based concurrent engineering design optimization of mechanical/structural systems and components which are critical in terms of cost development time, functionality and quality, are presented. The emphasis is on implementation of methods and capabilities for the optimization of composite structural system, and the integration of design process and manufacturing process of composite structures into standard CAD-based concurrent engineering environment The optimization of composite fuselage structures are performed under concurrent engineering environment for the example.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.325-337
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• 2006

A hybrid structural design and optimization methodology that combines the strengths of genetic algorithms, local search techniques, and parallel computing is developed to evolve optimal truss systems in this research effort. The primary objective that is met in evolving near-optimal or optimal structural systems using this approach is the capability of satisfying user-defined design criteria while minimizing the computational time required. The application of genetic algorithms to the design and optimization of truss systems supports conceptual design by facilitating the exploration of new design alternatives. In addition, final shape optimization of the evolved designs is supported through the refinement of member sizes using local search techniques for further improvement. The use of the hybrid approach, therefore, enhances the overall process of structural design. Parallel computing is implemented to reduce the total computation time required to obtain near-optimal designs. The support of human-computer interaction during layout optimization and local optimization is also discussed since it assists in evolving optimal truss systems that better satisfy a user's design requirements and design preferences.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.1121-1137
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• 2015

High powered computers and engineering computer systems allow designers to routinely simulate complex physical phenomena. The presented work deals with the analysis of two finite element method optimization techniques (First Order Method-FOM and Subproblem Approximation Method-SAM) implemented in the individual Design Optimization module in the Ansys software to analyze the behavior of real problems. A design optimization is a difficult mathematical process, intended to find the minimum or maximum of an objective function, which is mostly based on iterative procedure. Using optimization techniques in engineering designs requires detailed knowledge of the analyzed problem but also an ability to select the appropriate optimization method. The methods embedded in advanced computer software are based on different optimization techniques and their efficiency is significantly influenced by the specific character of a problem. The efficiency, robustness and accuracy of the methods are studied through strictly convex two-dimensional optimization problem, which is represented by volume minimization of two bars' plane frame structure subjected to maximal vertical displacement limit. Advantages and disadvantages of the methods are described and some practical tips provided which could be beneficial in any efficient engineering design by using an optimization method.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 1998

The research and applications of numerical methods of design optimization on structural dynamic behaviors are presented in this paper. The emphasis is focused on the dynamic design optimization of aerospace structures, particularly those composed of composite laminate and sandwich plates. The methods of design modeling, sensitivity analysis on structural dynamic responses, and the optimization solution approaches are presented. The numerical examples of sensitivity analysis and dynamic structural design optimization are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the numerical methods.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.501-507
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• 2010

Structural optimization is performed to minimize the weight of a RC building structure, which has eight floors above ground and three underground, under gravity, wind, and seismic loads. Design optimization problem is formulated to find the values of the design variables that minimize the volume while satisfying various design and side constraints. To solved the optimization problem posed, several design techniques equipped in PIAnO, a commercial PIDO tool, are used. DOE is used to generate training points and structural analysis is performed using MIADS Gen, a general-purpose structural analysis CAE tool. Then, meta-models are generated from structural analysis results and accuracies of meta-models are evaluated. Next, design optimization is performed by using the verified meta-models and optimization technique equipped in PIAnO. Finally, we obtained optimal results, which could demonstrate the effectiveness of our design method.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.19-33
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• 2014

Structural robustness refers to the ability of a structure to avoid disproportionate consequences to the original cause. Currently attentions focus on the concepts of structural robustness, and discussions on methods of robustness based structural design are rare. Firstly, taking basis in robust $H_{\infty}$ control theory, structural robustness is assessed by $H_{\infty}$ norm of the system transfer function. Then using the SIMP material model, robustness based design of grid structures is formulated as a continuum topology optimization problem, where the relative density of each element and structural robustness are considered as the design variable and the optimization objective respectively. Generalized elitist genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimization problem. As examples, robustness configurations of plane stress model and the rectangular hyperbolic shell model were obtained by robustness based structural design. Finally, two models of single-layer grid structures were designed by conventional and robustness based method respectively. Different interference scenarios were simulated by static and impact experiments, and robustness of the models were analyzed and compared. The results show that the $H_{\infty}$ structural robustness index can indicate whether the structural response is proportional to the original cause. Robustness based structural design improves structural robustness effectively, and it can provide a conceptual design in the initial stage of structural design.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.184-195
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• 2000

MDO (Multidisciplinary Design Optimization) methodology is an emerging new technology to solve a complicate structural analysis and design problem with a large number of design variables and constraints. In this paper MDO methodology is adopted through the use of computer aided systems such as Geometric Solid Modeller, Mesh Generator, CAD system and CAE system. And this paper introduces MDO methodology as a new method for structural analysis and design through the application to the structural design of flap drive system. In a MDO methodology application to the structural design of flap drive system, kinetodynamic analysis is done using a simple aerodynamic analysis model for the air flow over the flap surface instead of difficult aerodynamic analysis. Simultaneously the structural static analysis is done to obtain the optimum structural condition. And the structural buckling analysis for push pull rod is also done to confirm the optimum structural condition (optimum cross section shape of push pull rod).

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.114-121
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• 2010

This paper presents a design process of light-weighted fuel cell vehicle (FCV) frame to meet design target of natural frequency in early design stage. At first, using validated FE model for the current design, thickness optimization was carried out. Next. optimization process, comprised of beam model size optimization, shell model design and shell model thickness optimization, was investigated for two frame types. In addition, in order to ensure hydrogen tanks safety against rear impact load, structural collapse characteristics was estimated for the rear frame model finally produced from the previous optimization process and, with the target of equal collapse characteristics to the current design model, structural modification with small weight increase was studied through static structural collapse analyses. The same attempt was applied to the front side frame. The results explain that the proposed process enables to design light-weighted frames with high structural performance in early stage.