A physics-based parameterization method for shape optimization

A physical approach is presented to provide shape modification of NURBS cur ve. The movement of the control polygon of NURBS is simulated by a physical frame structure, and the curve deformation is then carried out through cha nges of the mode coordinates, which are derived from the eigenvectors of th e finite element equations of the physical frame system. The shape of the d esign boundaries is described by a linear combination of the mode shape vec tors. Based on the presented design variable representation and p-version f inite element analysis, an integrated approach to structural shape optimiza tion is discussed. A method is developed that enables the description of th e shape to be adaptively refined during the shape optimization process, Num erical examples are used to demonstrate the applicability of this approach to structural shape optimization. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.