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Optimization of geometrically non‐linear structures based on a multi‐point approximation method and adaptivity

A.A. Polynkine (Institute for Mechanics, Nizhny Novgorod University, Russia)
F. Van Keulen (Laboratory for Engineering Mechanics, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands)
V.V. Toropov (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK)

Engineering Computations

ISSN: 0264-4401

Article publication date: 1 March 1996

187

Abstract

Presents an approach for optimal design of geometrically non‐linear structures, using adaptive mesh refinement (AMR). The optimization technique adopted is based on the multi‐point approximation method. The finite element method is used for the structural analysis. Reformulation of the optimal design problem is applied to circumvent complications caused by the non‐linear behaviour of the structure. The latter may lead to bifurcations, limit points and/or significant reduction of the structural stiffness for individual intermediate designs generated by an optimization algorithm. Discretization errors are controlled using AMR. To reduce computational costs, the requested global and local discretization errors are not taken as fixed values but are specified on the basis of the current status of the optimization process. In the beginning relatively large errors are accepted, while as the process progresses discretization errors are reduced. The method is applied to thin‐walled structures with geometrically non‐linear behaviour.

Keywords

Citation

Polynkine, A.A., Van Keulen, F. and Toropov, V.V. (1996), "Optimization of geometrically non‐linear structures based on a multi‐point approximation method and adaptivity", Engineering Computations, Vol. 13 No. 2/3/4, pp. 76-97. https://doi.org/10.1108/02644409610114477

Publisher

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 1996, MCB UP Limited

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