About the Bending Plate Example

The actual model shows the main parts of a sizing optimization task: Definition of design variables, constraints, and objective function.

This page discusses:

About the Model

In this model, a clustered plate is encastered on the left side with two forces on the right side. One load of L= 2 N per node in negative Z-direction for all nodes and another load L/10 N per node in positive X-direction onto the nodes of the outer thirds.



In this example, it will be shown how the differences of linear and nonlinear kinematics (NLGEOM=OFF/ON) affect the optimization results. The sizing optimization task is to minimize the displacement of the right nodes in X-direction while using 90% of the initial volume. By default, the shell thicknesses are allowed to change up to 25% of the initial thickness and is changed for each element cluster. Within a cluster, the elements will have the same thickness.

Procedure Summary

Model: Bending_Plate_NL, Bending_Plate_LIN
Design Area: All elements
Objective: Minimize displacement in X-direction of the nodes of the right edge
Constraint: Relative volume of less or equal 90%

See Also

A detailed explanation of the effects of geometric nonlinearities can be found in the SIMULIA Tosca Structure User Guide (see Effects of Geometric Nonlinearities).