A Shakedown Strength Based Parametric Optimization Technique and Its Application on an Airtight Module

Abstract In aerospace engineering, design and optimization of mechanical structures are usually performed with respect to elastic limit. Besides causing insufficient use the material, such concept fails meet ever growing needs light weight design. To remedy this problem, in present study, a shakedown theory based numerical approach for performing parametric is presented. Within approach, strength structure measured by its limit calculated from direct method. The method developed structural consists nested loops: inner loop adopts interior point solve problems pertained fixed parameters, while outer employs genetic algorithm find optimal parameters leading greatest established first verified classic plate-with-a-circular-hole example, after that it applied an airtight module determining few key parameters. By carefully analyzing results generated during process, convinced can become viable means designing similar structures.