STRUCTURAL CONFIGURATION EXAMPLES OF AN INTEGRATED OPTIMAL-DESIGN PROCESS

Structural optimization procedures usually start from a given design t opology and vary proportions or boundary shapes of the design to achie ve optimality of an objective under various constraints. This article presents examples of the application of a no vel approach for initiati ng formal structural optimization at an earlier stage, where the desig n topology is rigorously generated A three-phase design process is use d. In Phase I, an optimal initial topology is created by a homogenizat ion method as a gray-scale image. In Phase II, the image is transforme d to a realizable design using computer vision techniques. In Phase II I, the design is parameterized and treated in detail by conventional s ize and shape optimization techniques. Fully-automated procedures for optimization of two-dimensional solid structures are outlined, and sev eral practical design problems for this type of structures are solved using the proposed procedure, including a crane hook and a bicycle fra me.