Design Sensitivity and Optimization using MSC Nastran

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NAS107 - Design Sensitivity and Optimization using MSC Nastran

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MSC Nastran features a comprehensive design sensitivity and optimization capability. It is possible to design for a variety of user-defined objectives such as minimum weight or maximum frequency. This seminar covers the theoretical and practical aspects of MSC Nastran design sensitivity and optimization-emphasis is placed on using the program to solve practical engineering problems. The capabilities of the program, including typical applications, are covered in detail. The concept of a design model is introduced. The process of optimizing a structure is discussed from initial modeling to interpretation of results. Numerous example problems reinforce the material covered in the lectures.
Length: 
3 Days
Pre-requisites : 
NAS101A (Linear Static and Normal Modes Analysis using MSC Nastran) or equivalent experience
Topics: 
Day One
  • Introduction
  • What is design optimization?
  • Overview of MSC Nastran design optimization capabilities
  • The basic optimization problem statement
  • Introduction to numerical optimization
  • The concept of a design space
  • Constrained and unconstrained minimization techniques
  • Convergence testing
  • Numerical aspects of interest to the design engineer
  • Design modeling I Analysis versus design modeling
  • Design model definition procedure—choosing the design variables, objective, and constraints
  • Design optimization input, part I
Day Two
  • Design modeling II
  • Design variable and reduced basis formulations
  • Formulation of synthetic design variable-to-property relations
  • Formulation of synthetic responses
  • Design optimization input, part II
  • Cautions and techniques for avoiding common pitfalls
  • Interpretation and utilization of optimization results
  • Structural Optimization—theory and practice
  • Coupling numerical optimizers and structural analysis—the theory of structural optimization
  • Introduction to approximation concepts
  • Design variable linking
  • Constraint deletion
  • Formal approximations
  • Taking advantage of the approximation concepts in MSC Nastran
  • Design sensitivity analysis
Day Three
  • Shape optimization
  • Introduction and theory
  • Shape basis vectors in the design model
  • Overview of methods
  • Dynamic response
  • Optimization
  • General considerations
  • Basic equations: direct frequency, modal frequency, and modal transient response optimization
  • Superelement optimization
  • Overview of capabilities and general considerations
  • Case control structure