Deterministic and Stochastic Multiobjective Optimization of Beam and Shell Structures

Abstract

This paper presents application examples of vector optimization (Pareto-optimization) especially for the design of beam and shell components. A deterministic as well as a stochastic optimization model is formulated. Stochastic models will be important in the future because many factors in fabrication and operation are of random nature (fabrication tolerances, loads, etc.). For the special case of a sandwich beam these influences are demonstrated by means of a sensitivity analysis. For all examples presented (shell-flange structure, sandwich beam, panel-truss structure) the solution of the optimization problem results from transformation into scalar substitute problems by means of preference functions. In the examples, various optimization algorithms (e.g., sequential linear programming) were tested.

Multicriterion Structural Optimization

“…Eschenauer and his co-workers present a large collection of practical applications in multicriterion structural optimization [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Plenty of different structures or components have been considered and generally the finite element method is used in the structural analysis.…”