Fully integrated design optimization of plate structures

This paper deals with fully integrated design optimization (FIDO) of plate structures. First, topology optimization is introduced based on a hybrid algorithm,. then fitting optimization is applied. Finally, the sizing optimization is described. Each one of these optimization techniques is tested on some examples. Finally, the FIDO-plate toolkit, which is a link of the three stages cited above, is tested on some examples following three major steps. First the optimal stiffening topology of the initial plate is produced, and the stiffening regions identified. Then, the regions of different boundaries of the new stiffened plate are adaptively fitted using cubic B-splines. Finally, the sizing optimization technique is applied in order to determine the thickness of each region. This leads to an improved plate design. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.