A SIMPLE P-ADAPTIVE REFINEMENT PROCEDURE FOR STRUCTURAL SHAPE OPTIMIZATION

A methodology is developed in this paper to perform adaptive finite el ement analysis using the p-method. The method is based on the use of l ocal error indicators which measure the error in traction across the e lements and residual inside the elements. A refinement procedure is co upled with the error estimator for local polynomial escalation. The me thod is used to solve problems in two-dimensional elasticity and its p erformance is examined. The adaptive procedure of this type is very us eful in many practical applications where it is necessary to evaluate the response as accurately as possible. The application of the above p -adaptive analysis to the problem of shape optimization of structures is discussed. The benefits of using adaptive analysis for shape optimi zation are demonstrated in the examples.