Algorithms For 2d Mesh Decomposition In Distributed Design Optimization

Authors

  • Shuvodeep De, and Rakesh K Kapania

Abstract

Optimization of thin-walled structures like an aircraft wing often involves dividing it into
numerous localized panels, each characterized by its own set of design variables. In this work, a
generalized algorithm to extract localized panels from the two-dimensional (2D) mesh is discussed. The
process employs set operations on elemental connectivity information and is independent of nodal
coordinates. Thus, it is capable of extracting a panel of any shape given the boundary and can be used
during the optimization of a wide range of structures. A method to create stiffeners on the resulting local
panels is also developed. The panel extraction process is demonstrated by integrating it into a distributed
MDO framework for optimization of an aircraft wing having curvilinear spars and ribs (SpaRibs). A
range of examples is included wherein the process is used to create panels on the wing-skin, bounded by
adjacent SpaRibs.

Published

2020-10-17

Issue

Section

Articles