combining structural optimization (Topolgy optimization) and thermal analysis

mohajerb@uwindsor.ca

I am doing linear static structural optimization (topology optimization) of a plastic injection mold. I have the temperature of surfaces of my geometry. I used them as thermal load.  Can I combine structural optimization with thermal analysis? Does Optistruct combine the displacement due to pressure applied to the model with thermal expansion?

1:

I created a load collector with card image of load to combine my pressure load and thermal load is that correct? I also have gravity. I entered 3 for the LOAD_Num_set. because I wanted to combine pressure, gravity and thermal load. Is that right?

 

For the loadsteps: type of analysis is linear static. I have checked SPC and selected constraint. I checked Load and I selected the load that I created which is combination of gravity pressure and temperature. Do I need to check TEMP and select my thermal load?

 

2:

My second approach is this

I created a load collector with card image of load to combine my pressure and gravity. I entered 2 for the LOAD_Num_set. and I combined gravity and pressure.

For the loadsteps: type of analysis is linear static. I have checked SPC and selected constraint. I checked Load and I selected the load that I created which is combination of gravity and pressure. I checked TEMP and I selected thermal load.

 

I was wondering which one is right, 1 or 2?

 

I got this message when I run the model

 

*** WARNING: The amount of allocated memory exceeds available RAM - this

may cause significant slowing down of solution progress due to the swapping

out memory to the swap file. It is recommended to use out-of-core

solution to reduce memory requirements.

 

 NOTE # 1405

 Memory is being expanded from 8074 MB to 8884 MB.

 Estimated working storage was not enough for inserting the data block

 'iwrkset' (6 MB + 2 MB)

 In order that we may improve our memory estimates, it would be appreciated if

 you could email this information and your run command to hwsupport@altair.com.

 If it is possible, please also include input data file(s).

 

 ==== End of solver screen output ==== 

 

 

 ==== Job completed ==== 

 

 

I would appreciate if you help me.

Altair Forum User

Hi  mohajerb@uwindsor.ca

 

is performing a thermo-structural coupled analysis is your objective?

 

Please refer to the tutorial OS-1080: Coupled Linear Heat Transfer/Structure Analysis for coupled thermal structural analysis.

 

The proceudure to run a coupled thermal analysis is:

 

1) create a structural linear static subcase

2) create a heat transfer subcase and refer the 1st subcase under STATSUB in heat transfer subcase.

Rahul_P1

Your step 2 looks right, LOAD – Static Load Combination (Superposition) Defines a static load as a linear combination of load sets defined via FORCE, MOMENT, FORCE1, MOMENT1, PLOAD, PLOAD1, PLOAD2, PLOAD4, RFORCE, DAREA and GRAV entries. not TEMP. 

 

Your warning is related to memory usage, 

You must run the check run first to make sure the memory limitation is within the limit.
Also regarding the memory default in the OptiStruct panel, have it as default and then run the job. Go to the run options from help to learn about memory usage options. 

mohajerb@uwindsor.ca

Actually my objective is combining Structural optimization (not only structural analysis) while the structure is also thermally loaded. The OS-1080 has combine both structural and thermal analysis. I was wondering if that is possible?