Shape (?) Optimization for 1D Elements

Merula_20758
Merula_20758 Altair Community Member
edited October 2020 in Community Q&A

Hey guys,

 

I was wondering if it is possible to setup the following optimization problem.

 

Lets say I have a set of nodes and bar elements. This framework has some loads and boundary conditions.

I am not sure if the node position of each node is optimal regarding compliance.

I would like to define 'shapes' for the nodes where I can set some pertubations e.g. Node x can move in a sphere of radius y.

 

I have not seen this kind of optimization although I think it must be possible from an algorithmic point of view. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Answers

  • Altair Forum User
    Altair Forum User
    Altair Employee
    edited December 2017

    Hi @Merula  This sounds interesting.  I am going to try this and I will update you soon. 

  • Merula_20758
    Merula_20758 Altair Community Member
    edited December 2017

    Much appreciated!

  • Altair Forum User
    Altair Forum User
    Altair Employee
    edited December 2017

    Some update:

     

    I tried with a simple beam but the node movement is not following the spherical/cylindrical coordinate system. 

     

    I will share my latest findings soon. 

  • Merula_20758
    Merula_20758 Altair Community Member
    edited January 2018

    It could also be a cube, if the spherical movement is the problem.

    I just can't see how I can implement the optimization setup (i.e. the design variables )

     

    Best regards,

    Merula

  • Altair Forum User
    Altair Forum User
    Altair Employee
    edited January 2018

    @Merula

     

    Trick here is I am realizing a 1D beam to 3D shape. So I am using 3D element grids for shape optimization. 

  • Merula_20758
    Merula_20758 Altair Community Member
    edited May 2018

    @Prakash Pagadala thanks. Can you show me how to realize this or send me a model file where I can see this?

     

    Thanks in advance :)/emoticons/default_smile.png' srcset='/emoticons/smile@2x.png 2x' title=':)' width='20' />

  • Merula_20758
    Merula_20758 Altair Community Member
    edited November 2020

    Do I have to use morph volumes for this? I would like to just simply define that each node can freely move in x y z within a certain range. Minimizing the stress is the objective. I share a model file, where I have a simple beam setup where I would guess that a symetric design would be optimal.

    I stuck at defining the shapes.... I've learned that free shape is not possible because I have no 2d/3d elements

     

    Best regards,

    Merula

    Unable to find an attachment - read this blog

  • Merula_20758
    Merula_20758 Altair Community Member
    edited November 2020
  • Altair Forum User
    Altair Forum User
    Altair Employee
    edited May 2018

    @Merula

     

    Sorry for a late reply,

     

    You are right, shape optimization is not possible with 1D elements. You need to model as either 3D or 2D. So I created a 3D model with a layer of 2D skin and used shape optimization to accommodate all Dofs,

     

    Unfortunately, I don't have the mode with me. 

  • Merula_20758
    Merula_20758 Altair Community Member
    edited June 2018

    I digged on this a little deeper and found a way to optimize 1d elements....

    it is possible if you choose freehand under morphing and save the shapes after having changed the node positions.

     

    Best regards,

    Merula

  • Altair Forum User
    Altair Forum User
    Altair Employee
    edited June 2018

    @Merula

     

    I agree, but whatever you get is a concept and this needs to be fine-tuned with gauge optimization, maybe?

     

    Apart from that, the results need to be validated with 2D/3D elements, as the number of Dofs will be different. 

     

    The shape on optimization level is not supported for 1D elements. 

  • Merula_20758
    Merula_20758 Altair Community Member
    edited June 2018

    @Prakash Pagadala

    Yes, this is a concept as it does not change the shape of the actual 1d elements but the location of the linking points, but nevertheless important when you come from a topology optimization and want to fine tune the reconstructed results (when using simple bars for example).

    A gauge optimization would be the final step.

     

    Best regards,

    Merula

  • Merula_20758
    Merula_20758 Altair Community Member
    edited November 2020

    Hey guys,

     

    what do you think of the result I got for the CClip.

    I saw it is not a symmetric result although the input and loadcase is symmetric. Ignore the buckling constraint for now.

    My question is: Is this procedure correct? The compliance is better than with topology optimization.

    I attached the following results:

    1) Input Deck of the topology optimization (modified version of the cclip tutorial): cclip1.fem

    2) Result of the topology optimization (modified version of the cclip tutorial): cclip1_des.h3d

    3) Input Deck of the Shape Optimization ShapeOptimization.fem

    4) Result of the Shape Optimization ShapeOptimization_des.h3d

     

    Best regards,

    Merula

    Unable to find an attachment - read this blog

  • Altair Forum User
    Altair Forum User
    Altair Employee
    edited June 2018

    Hi,

     

    This looks pretty good. I see the results are better.