Effective structural sizing/shape optimisation through a reliability‐related multifactor optimisation approach

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present a novel multifactor structural optimisation method incorporating reliability performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research addresses structural optimisation problems in which the design is required to satisfy multiple performance criteria, such as strength, stiffness, mass and reliability under multiple loading cases simultaneously. A MOST technique is extended to accommodate the reliability‐related optimisation. Structural responses and geometrical sensitivities are analysed by a FE method, and reliability performance is calculated by a reliability loading‐case index (RLI). The evaluation indices of performances and loading cases are formulated, and an overall performance index is presented to quantitatively evaluate a design.

Findings

The proposed method is applicable to multi‐objective, multi‐loading‐case, multi‐disciplinary and reliability‐related optimisation problems. The applications to a star‐like truss structure and a raised‐access floor panel structure confirmed that the method is highly effective and efficient in terms of structural optimisation.

Originality/value

A systematic method is proposed. The optimisation method combines the MOST technique with a RLI (a new alternative route to calculate the reliability index at multiple loading cases) using a parametric FE model.

Citation

Ket Thein, C. and Liu, J. (2012), "Effective structural sizing/shape optimisation through a reliability‐related multifactor optimisation approach", Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 159-177. https://doi.org/10.1108/15736101211251194