A REVIEW OF STRUCTURAL SHAPE OPTIMIZATION

Shape optimization attempts to integrate geometrical modeling, structu ral analysis, and optimization into one complete and automated compute r-aided design process. It determines the shape of the boundary of a t wo- or three-dimensional structural component of minimum mass under co nstraints on geometry and structural responses such as stress, displac ements and natural frequencies. This paper presents a general review o f structural shape optimization, with emphasis on the recent developme nts in this field. First the general concepts are introduced. Differen t approaches of the process of shape optimization, which consists of g eometrical representation, structural analysis, sensitivity analysis, and optimization algorithms, are reviewed. Then the difficulties in ex panding from two-to three-dimensional shape optimization are discussed . Finally the paper concludes that more attention should be paid to re search of zero-order optimization algorithms which are better suitable for shape optimization problems, and mechanical design optimization p roblems in general.