Shape Optimization of Plate and Shell Structures

In the past, much of the work done in structural optimization consisted of resizing the members of fixed configuration models. There is, however, a broad class of plate and shell problems in which an additional 'reduction in mass can be attained by including in the design process the capability for varying the shape of boundaries and the shape and location of cutouts. This additional capability has made it necessary to address other problems such as how to maintain an adequate finite element model, how to define perfectly general shapes which satisfy a number of criteria, and how to impose the proper constraints so that a realistic design results. The shape design capability is demonstrated on practical problems which result in as much as 35% weight savings over a uniform thickness design with fixed boundaries.