Sensitivity analysis for large-deflection and postbuckling responses on distributed-memory computers

A computational strategy is presented for calculating sensitivity coefficients for the non-linear large-deflection and postbuckling responses of laminated composite structures on distributed-memory parallel computers. The strategy is applicable to any message-passing distributed computational environment. The key elements of the proposed strategy are: (a) a multiple-parameter reduced basis technique; (b) a parallel sparse equation solver based on a nested dissection (or multilevel substructuring) node ordering scheme; and (c) a multilevel parallel procedure for evaluating hierarchical sensitivity coefficients. The hierarchical sensitivity coefficients measure the sensitivity of the composite structure response to variations in three sets of interrelated parameters; namely, laminate, layer and micromechanical (fiber, matrix and interface/interphase) parameters. The effectiveness of the strategy is assessed by performing hierarchical sensitivity analysis for the large-deflection and postbuckling responses of stiffened composite panels with cutouts on three distributed-memory computers. The panels are subjected to combined mechanical and thermal loads. The numerical studies presented demonstrate the advantages of the reduced basis technique for hierarchical sensitivity analysis on distributed-memory machines.