LASCISO

Large Scale Industrial Structural Optimisation for Advanced Applications

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The overall goal of LaScISO (Large Scale Industrial Structural Optimisation for Advanced Applications) is to enhance structural optimisation methods to be capable of optimisation with current industrial state-of-the-art simulation techniques, i.e. to “optimize what can be simulated”. This requires a tight cooperation between leading research institutions and industry within the fields of numerical optimisation, structural mechanics and software engineering. Current industrial structural optimisation software packages are capable of optimizing linear static and modal finite element (FE) modelled structures. The optimisation is mainly carried out by the CAE (computer aided engineering) simulation groups which are typically also in charge of carrying out more complex simulations involving multiphysics effects and different types of nonlinearities. The demand for optimisation tools which can handle the latter is obvious because many effects can only be investigated and controlled by using these analysis methods. To solve these optimisation problems in an efficient and flexible way, sensitivity based optimisation methods must be extended to cope with multiphysics and nonlinearities. This requires skill in development of new methods and software capabilities. With the consortium consisting of different specialists within the project area, it will be ensured that all skills needed to overcome the current limitation are available such that current state-of-the-art large scale simulations may be used directly in optimisation with good performance. The benefit of LaScISO is a faster and more cost-efficient simulation driven European product development. The optimisation methods will provide a competitive advantage over non-European developers to create low-weight, CO2-saving high quality products within a shorter development time.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Simulating large structures before producing them is a critical time- and money-saving step in the design process. Novel software with greatly extended capabilities promises to significantly enhance the competitive position of European manufacturers.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Industrial manufacturers of large-scale structural components utilise simulation programs for design optimisation. Currently available software packages primarily optimise linear static and modal finite element-modelled structures. Computer-aided engineering analysis software is typically specific to a single phenomenon.

There is an urgent need to include nonlinear and multiphysics effects in which closely coupled interactions occur among separate phenomena. EU-funded scientists are addressing the challenge with work on the project 'Large scale industrial structural optimisation for advanced applications' (http://www.lasciso.eu/ (LASCISO)).

Within the first reporting period, the team made excellent progress toward their goals. They developed a multiphysics topology optimisation prototype implemented in Matlab that promises a significant reduction in computation time. A similar topology optimisation algorithm was established for highly nonlinear elastic problems.

Sensitivity analysis is an important component of structural simulations as it supports designers in determining the sources and effects of uncertainty to build more robust models. LASCISO is in fact extending current sensitivity-based models and so researchers developed several sensitivity analyses for topology and geometric nonlinear shape optimisation.

Simulating a surface from predefined nodes or point clouds, sets of data points in a coordinate system, is critical to structural modelling. The ideal is to use the minimal data set and computations with the maximum accuracy. The team has also established both classical and rapid surfacing methods to transform point clouds into highly efficient models.

Finally, in order to test performance of the technology, investigators developed systematic experiments evaluating the effects of a number of algorithm parameters and implemented them on products of interest. Many of the algorithms have already been applied in an industrial setting.

LASCISO scientists intend to provide European engineers with structural optimisation software that will give them an edge on the competition. Capability to handle nonlinearities and multiple interacting phenomena should help developers deliver higher-performing products that are also better for the environment.