ISSN(Online): 2319-8753

ISSN (Print): 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)

Vol. 6, Special Issue 9, May 2017

Structural Optimization Methods: A General

Review
Prashant Kumar Srivastava1*, Simant2, Sanjay Shukla3
1
Asst. Prof., Ambalika Institute of Management & Technology, Lucknow India
2
Professor, Sagar Institute of Technology & Management, Barabanki India
3
Senior Research Engineer (Designs), Government of India, Ministry of Railways, Research Designs and Standards
Organisation, Lucknow India

ABSTRACT : In present era of technological enhancement, every manufacturing organization is striving to focus to
lower production costs and to reduce weight of component while meeting the required performance characteristics.
Saving of material and energy can be achieved through optimizing the shape and topology of the structure on choosing
a more efficient structural configuration. Design engineers are looking for rigorous methods to solve optimization
model. Efficiency and economy are critical parameters for selecting innovative methods to improve the performance of
the existing systems. The present review will develop an understanding of shape and topology optimization is, and the
theory behind, how it can be used to improve the design process.

KEYWORDS: Optimization, Topology, Material Saving, Design, Efficiency, Innovative Methods.

I. INTRODUCTION

Optimization techniques [20] [21] have become more important as the prospect of simulating complex mechanical
structures has become a reality. A common approach in the layout design of structural parts is the topology
optimization, which find an optimum material distribution [6] within a selected geometrical design space to best meet
loading conditions and constraints. Another important approach for optimizing the structure is shape optimisation,
which optimises weight(mass) in given parametric geometric constraints. In the case of complex shaped parts, like
automobile body structures, shape optimisation is still hard to do; mainly due to the difficulty in translating shape
design parameters into meaningful analysis models. Sizing, shape and Topology optimization address different aspects
of structural design problems.

II. STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION

Structural optimization a class of optimization problem, can easily be traced back to 1904 when Michell [1] derived
formulae for structures with minimum weight given stress constraints on various design domains. Save and Prager1985
[2] proved that the resulting structures (Populurazied as Michell structures) had the minimum compliance for
corresponding volume structures and hence were global optimum of minimization of compliance subject to volume
problems.
In engineering, the optimization of an objective function is basically the maximization or minimization [22] of a
problems subjected to given constraints. In Structural optimization , the purpose is to find the optimal material
distribution according to some given demands of a structure. Some common functions to minimize are the mass,
displacement or the compliance (strain energy). This problem is most often subject to some constraints i.e. mass or the
size of the component.
This optimization is traditionally done manually using an iterative intuitive process that roughly consists of the
following steps
1. A suggested design.

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International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

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(An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)

Vol. 6, Special Issue 9, May 2017

2. The evaluation of design requirements, for example by a Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
3. Insure that requirements are fulfilled or not. If some lacking than repeat process 2 & 3
The result depends heavily on the designer’s experience, knowledge, and perception regarding understanding
of the problem. Changes to the design are can be made in trial and an error. This process can be very time consuming
and may result in a suboptimal design. The problem of structural optimization can basically be categorized into three
types, Sizing (mass), Shape and Topology (layout). Refer Fig 1.

Fig. 1. a. Sizing b. Shape c. Topology Optimization (Courtesy: Ref. 6.)

III. STATEMENT OF OPTIMIZATION PROBLEM

Majority of engineering problems often involve constrained minimization. An example of such constrained
minimization problem is finding the minimum weight design of a structure subject to constraints on stress and
deflection. Constrained problems may be expressed in the following general nonlinear programming form:
minimize
subject to
(1.1)
and ,
(1.2)
where
= objective or cost function,
are inequality constraints, and are equality constraints.
The inequality constraints in Eq. (1.1) include explicit lower and upper bounds on the design variables may also
express Eq. (1.2) in the form: minimize f(x). Focusing on reduction of weight may be obtained by focusing on
optimization and description of size, shape and topology optimization have been considered in the present work .

IV. METHODS OF STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION

Structural optimization is now targeting area of mechanical product development & design phase of any structure or
component which are subjected to loads. The design engineer is focused with the rigorous task of designing a structure
by considering various objectives that are like minimizing total weight (mass) [17] or volume[13], minimizing stress
(fluctuating or static), maximizing stiffness, homogenizing distribution of stress, minimizing production costs, etc.
Structural optimization implies finding the optimum geometry of selected design space each targeting different types of
parameters .It can be divided in three distinct branches,. Size, shape and topology optimization. The techniques
generally target either size, or shape, or topology, sometimes integrated approach is followed. It is easy to control a

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International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

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Vol. 6, Special Issue 9, May 2017

structure’s shape and size as the design variables are the coordinates of the boundary (shape optimization) or the
physical dimensions (size optimization), but more exercise is needed to control the topology of the structure. Various
method of structural optimization are discussed and reviewed as:

4.1 Sizing optimization

Sizing optimization is the simplest form of structural optimization. The shape of the structure is known and the
objective is to optimize the structure by adjusting sizes of the components. Here the design variables are the sizes of the
structural elements, for example the diameter of a rod or the thickness of a beam or a sheet metal .As in size
optimization where the diameter of the rods are the design variables In a sizing optimization problem, the design
variables are usually geometrical parameters such as length, width or thickness of the part being optimized.

4.2 Shape optimization

Shape optimization is performed similarly as the topology optimization. The main difference is in how the design
variables are defined. Design variables are the coordinates of the boundary. The process of shape optimization consists
of three modules [19]: geometrical representation, structural analysis, and optimization algorithms. To select a
geometrical representation is the first step in the shape optimization process , The nodal coordinates are chosen as
design variable because it is very simple by using ANSYS. Considering the architectural or structural requirements ,
the initial design model is constructed. The design model is converted into an analysis model. So the past researches
focus on the objective function i.e. lowest cost or minimum weight .As mature analysis software, ANSYS [13] & [15]
can be analyzed almost all the structures, and has been used in many practical engineering.
Yunliang Ding [3] develop a numerical model for analysis of shape optimization of various structures. Described the
several steps in the shape optimization process. According to him , the steps of shape optimization are model
description, selection of the objective function and shape variables, representation of boundary shape, finite element
mesh generation & refinement , sensitivity analysis and solution methods. These steps are reviewed in detail in their
work. X. Duan [Link]. [8]. discussed the procedure of shape optimization on V-shaped anvil using Finite Element(FE)
analysis interface. A FEA software MARC is used for this type of parametric optimization procedure

4.3 Topology optimization

Topology optimization is the most general structural optimization technique and it is mainly considered in a conceptual
design stage. The Greek word topos, meaning landscape or place, is the origin of the word topology optimization.
Topology optimization is perhaps the most difficult of all three types of structural optimization. The optimization is
performed by determining the optimal topology of the structure. Optimization therefore occurs through the
determination of design variable values which correspond to the component topology providing optimal structural
behaviour [4] & [5].
In topology optimization a fixed finite element mesh is used and one design variable is connected to each element. The
design variable determines if the corresponding element will represent structural material or a hole. The connectivity of
the structure, while connecting the applied loads to the given boundary conditions, is thus changed such that the
objective function is minimized subjected to the specified constraint Applying topology optimization to structural
design typically involves considering quantities such as weight, stresses, stiffness, displacements, buckling loads and
resonant frequencies, with some measure of these defining the objective function and others constraining the system.
Topology optimization rapidly expanding a new research field, which has interesting theoretical implications in the
field of mathematics, mechanics, multi-physics and computer science, but also important practical applications in
product development (particularaly car and aerospace) industries, and is likely to have a significant role in micro and
nanotechnologies. A century ago, the first paper on topology optimization is published by the Australian inventor
Michell (1904)[1], who derived optimality criteria for the least weight layout of trusses. After seven decades, authors
and his research group extended Michell’s theory to grillages(beam systems) which are quoted in many papers (starting
with Rozvany 1972). Based on these applications, Prager and Rozvany (1977) formulated the first general theory,
“optimal layout theory” of topology optimization (for a review, see Rozvany 1993 or Rozvany et al. 1995). They
applied this primarily to exact analytical optimization of grid-type structures, but it has also important implications for
numerical methods and continuum-type structures. Many papers deal with extensions of this theory and discussed the

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International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

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(An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)

Vol. 6, Special Issue 9, May 2017

exact solutions of popular benchmark problems (Lewinski and Rozvany 2007-08) [12]. The development of topological
optimization can be attributed to Bendsoe and Kikuchi (1988) [5] & [6].They presented a homogenization based
optimization approach of topology optimization. They assumed that the structure is formed by a set of non-
homogenous elements which are composed of solid and void regions and obtained optimal design under volume
constraint through optimization process. In their method, the regions with dense cells are defined as structural shape,
and those with void cells are areas of unnecessary material .At the World Congress, Seoul(2007) many papers were
discussed on application and approaches of topology optimization In the Hyper works Technology Conference (HTC),
Varun Ahuja et al. (2012) presented paper and discussed about Optimization Techniques in Reducing the Weight of
Engine Mounting Bracket[14] and concluded 15 % weight saving of the bracket using Opti-Struct Software tool. In
this conference some other papers on topology optimization is discussed. [Link] Nag(2012) in HTC Conference
showed the result how the weight of engine mounting bracket is reduced up to 60% without compromising the strength
of the bracket[16]. Dheeraj Gunwant [Link] Misra (2012) compared The results of ANSYS based Optimality Criterion
[18]which was a gradient based method, were compared with those obtained by Element Exchange Method which was
a non-gradient based method

V. CONCLUSION

Size optimization required to find the optimal values of the various dimensions. Shape optimization is the further
extension of size optimization; it allows extra freedoms in the configuration of the structure such as the location of
connections between members. Modified designs are restricted to a fixed topology and thus can be written using a
limited number of optimization variables. Topology optimization advances the size and shape optimization and gives
no restrictions to the optimized structure. It simply tries to find the optimal domain of the governing equations
contained within some design field. It provides minimum distribution of material in selected design space. Compared to
size and shape optimization, topology optimization allows more freedom as no initial structure is required. Only the
design space, the loads and the boundary conditions are required in order to find an optimized structure which satisfies
the given restriction.

REFERENCES

1. A.G.M. Michell. LVIII. The limits of economy of material in frame structures. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine
and Journal of Science, , 1904.
2. Save, M. and Prager, W., editors Structural Optimization, Volume 1: Optimality Criteria. Plenum Press, New York, NY 1985.
3. Yunliang Ding ,Shape optimization of structures: a literature survey, Department of Aeronautical, Structures and Materials, computers &
Structures Vol. 24. No. 6. pp. 985-1004. 1986.
4. M.P. Bendsøe and N. Kikuchi. Generating optimal topologies in structural design using a homogenization method. Computer methods in
applied mechanics and engineering, 71(2):197–224, 1988.
5. M.P. Bendsoe, and N. [Link] optimal topologies in structural design using a homogenization method by Comput. Meth. Appl.
Mech. Eng. Vol: 71: 197-224.,1988.
6. M.P. Bendsøe. Optimal shape design as a material distribution problem. Structural optimization, 1(4):193–202, 1989.
7. M.P. Bendsøe, A. Ben-Tal, and J. Zowe. Optimization methods for truss geometry and topology design. Structural and Multidisciplinary
Optimization, 7(3):141–159, 1994.
8. X-duan, T Sheppard, Shape optimization using FEA software-A v-shaped anvil as an example, Journals of material processing technology vol
no 120 pp 426-431, 2002.
9. Martin Philip Bendsøe and Ole Sigmund. Topology Optimization - Theory, Methods, and Applications. Springer Verlag, Berlin, second edition
edition, 2003.
10. Gong Shuguang , “ANSYS engineering application and its analysis”(Book style) Beijing China Machine Press,.4 pp. 35–85,2003.
11. M. Zhou, N. Pagaldipti, H.L. Thomas, Y.K. Shyy, "An integrated approach to topology, sizing, and shape optimization", Structural and
Multidisciplinary Optimization, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 308-317, 2004

12. G. I. N. Rozvany.A critical review of established methods of structural topology optimization” by , Springer-Verlag ,2008.
13. Prashant Kumar Srivastava “Volume Reduction of A Mechanical Component using ANSYS” in [Link] Dissertation ,HBTI
,Kanpur,INDIA(2011).
14. Varun Ahuja Sandip Hazra Application of Optimization Techniques in Reducing the Weight of Engine Mounting Bracket” by, HTC (Hyper
Works Technology Conference) Conference, India 2012.
15. Dheeraj Gunwant & Anadi Misra Topology Optimization Of Continuum Structures Using Optimality Criterion Approach In ANSYS” by ,
International Journal of Advances in Engineering & Technology, Nov. 2012

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16. [Link] Nag .Topology optimization of a Engine Mounting Bracket”, , HTC (Hyper Works Technology Conference) Conference, India
2012
17. Prashant Kumar Srivastava, Rajive Gupta & Simant. Structural Weight optimization of A Bracket using ANSYS, International Journal of
Research Engg & Technology, Vol 3, Spl Issue 10, 2014
18. Kishan Anand , Anadi Misra. Topology Optimization and Structural Analysis of Continuous Linear Elastic Structures using Optimality
Criterion Approach in [Link] Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 4, Issue 6, June
2015.
19. Guoyong Cuia, Changyu Cuia,b,Shape Optimization Based on ANSYS, Journal of Information & Computational Science–4297 July 20, 2015.
20. S S Rao, Optimization Theory & Applications, ,Wiley Eastern limited, INDIA
21. Kalyanmoy Deb, Optimization For Engineering Design (Algorithms and Examples), Prentice-Hall of India Private Limited, New Delhi, INDIA
22. Dukkipati,Rao,Baht, Computer Aided analysis and design of Machine Elements , New Age Int Publication,INDIA

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