This paper on "Optimization of Thin Plates and Shells" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Design, Simulation & Optimisation: Reliability & Applicability of Computational Methods - 9-11 April 1997, Stuttgart, Germany.

Abstract

We consider a topological optimization problem: find the minimum weight design of shells and plates, under available space and plastic failure limitations. The topology is characterized by an unknown thickness map ρ: holes are ρ = 0. The main result characterizes ρ as solution of an algebraic equation, what suggests a numerical method: the optimal topology can be determined by solving this algebraic equation. This method is tested for some academics examples and show to be effective to calculate.