Structural optimization based on CAD-CAE integration and metamodeling techniques

Traditional structural optimization, which identifies the best combination of geometrical parameters to improve the product's performance and to save the material, is often carried out manually. This paper presents a framework that performs the integration between commercial CAD-CAE software by using common scripting, programming languages and Application Programming Interface. The loop of design-analysis-redesign in optimization process was done automatically and seamlessly without interaction with designer. Along with CAD-CAE computer-aided tools, metamodeling techniques including response surface methodology and radial basis function were applied to structural optimization according to the number of design variables. This approach reduces the time for solving computation-intensive design optimization problems and the designers are free from monotonous repetitive tasks. Three case studies were carried out in order to verify the feasibility and general-purpose characteristics of the proposed method for the structural optimization process of mechanical components. The results show that the proposed method facilitates the structural optimization process and reduces the computing cost compared to other approaches. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.