Configuration design sensitivity analysis of built‐up structures part II: Numerical method

Abstract

A numerical method is presented for structural configuration design sensitivity calculations using established finite element analysis codes. The theoretical foundation of the configuration design sensitivity analysis is given in Part I of this paper1 using the continuum elasticity formulation. A linear approximation between design parameterizations and design velocity fields is derived for line and surface design components. A regular design velocity that avoids the calculation of corner terms at the boundary is implemented to show a unified configuration design sensitivity analysis. The design sensitivity analysis method is demonstrated using the post‐processing data of an existing finite element code. Configuration design sensitivity results of displacement, stress and eigenvalue performance measures are illustrated for several built‐up engineering structures. Copyright © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd