A Study On The Structure Layout Optimization Design Based On Stiffness Spreading Method

In this paper, several new optimization methods based on stiffness spreading method (SSM) are proposed, providing new ways of structural layout optimization analysis.Firstly, integrated layout optimization considering component joints are introduced. Then static condensation is applied to stiffness matrix formulation of elastic components, on that basis a method for integrated layout optimization considering component joints and its sensitivity formulation are proposed. The proposed method is validated by numerical examples which give results that elastic components are connected to continuum structure through its joints.Secondly, this paper study the holes layout optimization problems based on stiffness spreading method, discuss and explain that the strain energy singularity caused by stiffness spreading method with radial basis function interpolation applying to holes layout optimization. Based on the conclusions, stiffness spreading method with Shepard interpolation method is proposed and applied to holes layout optimization. The proposed method is validated by numerical examples, demonstrating that the proposed method can deal with holes layout optimization with different size, shape and number.Thirdly, size-changeable components layout optimization problem is studied. A model for size-changeable components layout optimization problem and its sensitivity formulation are proposed. The validation of the proposed method is demonstrated by the numerical examples including the proportion-changeable holes layout optimization problems and size-changeable elastic components layout optimization problems.Finally, the major contributes are summarized and the possible future works are presented.