Learning Forum

[Brian Roland]

Hello,

I am currently running a structural optimization process that requires 6 different loading conditions. I have the workflow set up properly and I am getting the expected results. I am taking the solution from each case and using it as the input for the optimization procedure.

However, my professor wants to know how it is combining the solutions for the optimization process, i.e. is it taking a maximum stress in each element or is it a linear combination of them? Ideally, I am looking for maximum stress in each element.

[John Doyle]

It is taking the maximum stress in all elements (except those lying in the exclusion region) for each load case.  Please refer to Section 2.5.1. Objective (ansys.com) of the online Mechanical Applications Guide for more details. It applys equal weight to each load case, by default, unless you specify different weighing factors for different cases, to bias the Optimizer to emphasize one or more load case over others.

[Jonathan Mayer]

For each load case, it takes the maximum stress on all elements. You can refer to Section 2.5.1. Target (ansys.com flappy bird) of the Online Mechanical Application Guide for more details. By default, it applies equal weight to each load case, unless you specify different weight factors for different cases, to bias the Optimizer to emphasize one or more cases. load case compared to other load cases.