Some problems of optimizing shell shape and thickness distribution on the basis of a genetic algorithm

Abstract

We consider problems related to designing axisymmetric shells of minimal weight (mass) and the development of efficient nonlocal optimization methods. The optimization problems under study consist in simultaneous search for the optimal geometry and the shell thickness optimal distribution from the minimal weight condition under strength constraints and additional geometric constraints imposed on the thickness function, the transverse cross-section radii distribution, and the volume enclosed by the shell. Using the method of penalty functions, we reduce the above optimal design problem to a nonconvex minimization problem for the extended Lagrange functional. To find the global optimum, we apply an efficient genetic algorithm. We present the results of numerical solution of the optimal design problem for dome-like shells of revolution under the action of gravity forces. We present some data characterizing the convergence of the method developed here.