Steps for creating a Mechanical problem for structural optimization

The tools used to describe a Mechanical problem for optimization are accessible through the Solver → Optimization → Mechanical optimization branch of the Data tree, as shown in Figure 1

Figure 1. The tools for creating a Mechanical problem for optimization in the Flux 2D Data Tree (highlighted inside the red rectangle).


The steps for creating a Mechanical problem for optimization are the following:
  1. Define one or more Mechanical regions.
  2. Define one or more Mechanical boundary conditions
  3. Using the previously created Mechanical regions and Mechanical boundary conditions entities, create the Mechanical problem.

Steps 1 to 3 above are detailed in the next sections.

Important: Once the Mechanical problem has been created, it must be integrated to the description of an Optimization problem. The Optimization problem must also contain one or more Mechanical responses in its description to benefit from the Mechanical problem definition. The Constraints describing the Optimization problem may also derive from Mechanical responses under those circumstances.
Remember: Mechanical responses may be created by clicking the Responses node of the Data tree and by selecting the option Mechanical response in the Physical quantity to optimize drop-down menu. There are two subtypes available, namely:
  • Von Mises stress and
  • Compliance.
Consequently, limiting the Von Mises stress or maximizing the compliance are examples of attainable constraints or objectives in Optimization problems accounting for a Mechanical problem.