STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION WITH PARAMETER-TRANSFER FINITE-ELEMENT

A mathematical method to solve structural problems, using parameter-tr ansfer finite elements (P-TFE) was recently proposed by the authors [1 ] [2] [3]. The proposed transfer finite element approach is able to cr eate a mathematical model of a structure, taking into account directly the whole behaviour of the structure under dynamic, aerodynamic, and thermal actions, and not by assembling, in a separate fashion, the sti ffness and the mass matrix on one side and the external load vector as performed by the classical finite element procedure. The purpose of t his paper is to apply the above methodology to optimization problems, in particular to obtain the minimum structural weight for a beam, unde r primary constraints on buckling load or natural frequencies. The use of P-TFE in the field of structural optimization overcomes most diffi culties of the usual techniques of solution and the element is particu larly useful in the evaluation of the sensitivity matrix. The formulat ion of the optimization problem based on P-TFE is presented and some a pplications are studied. The numerical results obtained are compared w ith other existing methodologies and briefly discussed.