Hello members!

For the shape and topology optimization purposes, SIMULIA offers the optimization module(ATOM) add-on, which  is tightly integrated with Abaqus/CAE. The shape optimization can be used to modify the surface of the structure by moving the surface nodes to reduce the local stress concentrations. You may be interested in using the shape optimization to minimize the stress and obtain the maximum stress of the structure equal to or less than certain stress value. Currently the stress design response is not supported as a shape optimization constraint.

When using the minimization of stress design response in the objective function, by default the shape optimization calculates a reference target stress.  The design nodes above the reference value move outwards and below the reference value move inwards. If you cannot obtain the required allowable maximum stress using the default reference value, you may want use the stress design response in the objective function along with a non-default reference target stress value. The next obvious question is how to come up with the appropriate non-default reference target stress value. You must remember that a reference target value is not the same as a constraint.  For most real life structures, the maximum stress of a converged shape optimization will be some percent larger than the specified reference stress. You shall have to do a few trial shape optimization runs to figure out which reference target stress value achieves your required maximum allowable stress. Generally the reference target stress value can be 20% to 50% less than the required maximum allowable stress.

More details on the optimization module can be found in Abaqus/CAE User’s Manual and Abaqus Analysis User’s Manual. You may also want to check out some interesting blog posts in this community that showcase ATOM capabilities.

Regards,

Samarth Shah