Optimization - Design Variables



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Design variables identify the varying quantities in an optimization problem. This page outlines how different types of OptiStruct design variables may be defined in HyperMesh.

Other pages describe how to setup an optimization problem (Optimization - Problem Setup) and how more general features, such as the design equations, table entries, constraint screening, etc. are defined (Optimization - Other).

All the optimization panels are available on the optimization page, which can be accessed from the Analysis page. They are also available form the Optimization pull-down menu when the OptiStruct user profile is loaded.

OptiStruct Keyword

Notes

DESVAR

Design variable definition. Supported in HyperMesh as a designvariable entity.

Explicitly defined in the size panel. Also defined automatically by the gauge panel and the shape panel.

DLINK

Design variable link. Supported in HyperMesh as a designvariablelink entity.

Used to define links between DESVARs.

Defined in the desvar link panel.

DSHAPE

Free-shape design variable definition. Supported in HyperMesh as a designvariable entity.

Solid surface nodes or shell edge nodes may be selected as free-shape design regions.

Defined in the free shape panel.

DSIZE

Free-size design variable definition. Supported in HyperMesh as a designvariable entity.

PCOMP, PCOMPG, and PSHELL components may be selected as free-size design regions.

Defined in the free size panel.

DTPG

Topography design variable definition. Supported in HyperMesh as a designvariable entity.

PSHELL, PCOMP and PCOMPG components as well as predefined shape design variables may be selected as topography design regions.

Defined in the topography panel.

DTPL

Topology design variable definition. Supported in HyperMesh as a designvariable entity.

PBAR, PBUSH, PCOMP, PCOMPG, PROD, PSHELL, PSOLID, PWELD can be selected.

Defined in the topology panel.

DVGRID

Perturbation vector definition for shape optimization. Automatically defined on export from HyperMesh, when HyperMorph shapes are used to generate shape design variables in the shape panel.

Defined in the shape panel.

Exported in large field format by both the optistruct and optistructlf templates.

DVPREL1

Generic design variable to property relationship. Supported in HyperMesh as a designvariablepropertyrelationship entity.

PBAR, PBARL, PBEAM, PBEAML, PBUSH, PCOMP, PCOMPG*, PELAS, PMASS, PROD, PSHELL properties and CONM2 elements can be selected.

Defined in the generic property subpanel of the size panel.

Automatically defined in the gauge panel for shell or ply thickness and ply orientations.

* For PCOMPG, either global plies or property specific plies may be selected.

DVPREL2

Function design variable to property relationship. Supported in HyperMesh as a designvariablepropertyrelationship entity.

PBAR, PBARL, PBEAM, PBEAML, PBUSH, PCOMP, PCOMPG*, PELAS, PMASS, PROD, PSHELL properties and CONM2 elements can be selected.

Defined in the function property subpanel of the size panel. Requires a dequation definition.

* For PCOMPG, either global plies or property specific plies may be selected.

How do I...

Define design variables for topology optimization using shells

Define design variables for topology optimization using solids

Define design variables for topography optimization

Define design variables for size optimization

Define design variables for gauge (shell thickness) optimization

Define design variables for shape optimization

Define a shape using perturbations

Define design variable links

Go To

Interfacing with Altair HyperMesh

Return to Altair HyperWorks Index


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