Constructive solid geometry approach to three-dimensional structuralshape optimization

Abstract

This paper presents a constructive solid geometry approach to generic three-dimensional shape optimization. The problem definition and shape control are based on constructive solid geometry whereas the assets of boundary representation are exploited to specify the physics of the problem and for meshing the object. This approach is strongly coupled to an automatic mesh generator and uses to its advantage the explicit association of the finite element data with the model geometry for performing shape sensitivity analysis. Hybrid approximation methods are used to minimize the number of finite element analyses. A classical example of a cantilevered plate with a hole and a realistic aircraft turbine disk problem are solved for optimum shape using this new approach.