Author(s)

J.A. Hernandes & L.A. Schmit

Abstract

Synthesis of plates and shells modelled by flat finite elements using a uniform mesh refinement strategy J.A. Hernandes, L.A. Schmit Department of Civil Engineering, University of los Ane/ea CA 2002^, CASV1 ABSTRACT The problem of minimum weight design optimization of plate and shell structures with smooth variable thickness distribution and represented by Hat finite elements for analysis purposes is investigated. Isoparametric thickness representation and associated membrane and bending intermediate variables are introduced. These features are in- dependent of the finite element analysis model, decreasing considerably the cost associated with the displacement sensitivity analysis in prob- lems involving a large number of flat finite elements. The effects of uniform mesh refinement on optimal design results are examined. INTRODUCTION In the context of the approximation concepts method [1] for structural synthesis, in order to obtain first order high

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