Lightweight design of a certain mortar base plate based on sensitivity analysis

Abstract

In order to resolve the inconvenience in usage and transport pertaining to a certain mortar base plate due to its large mass, dimension optimization, topology optimization and composite material optimization were first applied in an integrated manner to the lightweight design of the base plate on the premise of ensuring the strength and good firing stability of the base plate; and the lightweight design of the base plate was realized. The finite element model of the mortar base plate was established; and the correctness of the model was verified by modal testing. Sensitivity analysis was conducted on the five main structural parameters influencing the stiffness and strength of the base plate by a sensitivity analysis method based on DOE and regression analysis, so as to provide an effective basis for the lightweight design of the base plate. Dimension optimization was performed on the parameter greatly influencing the maximum stress on the base plate and topology optimization on the parameter region that has minor influence to obtain the main force transmission path in this region. Composite materials were used to replace the materials in the non-main force transmission region to design a composite base plate; and the thickness of the laminate was optimized. The results of numerical calculation showed that the base plate lost 30.33% of weight after the lightweight design and that the strength and firing stability fully met the requirements. This study provided a new clear design idea for the lightweight design of mortar base plate and provided reference for the lightweight design of other models of mortar base plate.