Structural Topograohy Optimization for Thin-plate Based on Isogeometric Analysis

To satisfy high performance requirements for some structures, it is desirable for structure to be designed smaller, thinner and lighter in automobile and aerospace industries, etc. One prominent example is the application of topography stiffened structures. The stiffness of a structure can be increased obviously by stiffeners under a given amount of material. This paper gives an approach to optimize the structural topography design of thin-walled structures automatically based on isogeometric analysis. Optimization model, sensitivity analysis and optimization process for structural topography design are described and studied in details. The objective function is minimum compliance of structure, and the y-value(vertical coordinate value) of control points as design variables. Then structural topography is formed with changing the y-value of control points in design domain according to the specific algorithm. Several examples illustrate that the proposed method works well.