OptiStruct is a proven, modern structural solver with comprehensive, accurate and scalable solutions for linear and nonlinear
analyses across statics and dynamics, vibrations, acoustics, fatigue, heat transfer, and multiphysics disciplines.
Elements are a fundamental part of any finite element analysis, since they completely represent (to an acceptable
approximation), the geometry and variation in displacement based on the deformation of the structure.
The different material types provided by OptiStruct are: isotropic, orthotropic, and anisotropic materials. The material property definition cards are used to
define the properties for each of the materials used in a structural model.
High Performance Computing leverages computing power, in standalone or cluster form, with highly efficient software,
message passing interfaces, memory handling capabilities to allow solutions to improve scalability and minimize run
times.
Contact is an integral aspect of the analysis and optimization techniques that is utilized to understand, model, predict,
and optimize the behavior of physical structures and processes.
OptiStruct and AcuSolve are fully-integrated to perform a Direct Coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction (DC-FSI) Analysis based on a
partitioned staggered approach.
Aeroelastic Analysis is the study of the deflection of flexible aircraft structures under aerodynamic loads, wherein
the deformation of aircraft structures in turn affect the airflow.
OptiStruct provides industry-leading capabilities and solutions for Powertrain applications. This section aims to highlight OptiStruct features for various applications in the Powertrain industry. Each section consists of a short introduction, followed
by the typical Objectives in the field for the corresponding analysis type.
This section provides an overview of the capabilities of OptiStruct for the electronics industry. Example problems pertaining to the electronics industry are covered and common solution
sequences (analysis techniques) are demonstrated.
OptiStruct generates output depending on various default settings and options. Additionally,
the output variables are available in a variety of output
formats, ranging from ASCII (for example, PCH) to binary files (for example,
H3D).
A semi-automated design interpretation software, facilitating the recovery of a modified geometry resulting from a
structural optimization, for further use in the design process and FEA reanalysis.
The OptiStruct Example Guide is a collection of solved examples for various solution sequences and optimization types and provides
you with examples of the real-world applications and capabilities of OptiStruct.
In the aircraft industry, mass plays a critical role in deciding aircraft
performance. The amount of lift required increases with the increase of mass,
thereby increasing the drag and thrust on the aircraft. To overcome this, additional
fuel would be needed, which would eventually increase the mass. Thus, it is
important to account for structural mass in an aircraft and optimization is one such
technique that can be used to obtain efficient results for aircraft structures.
Topology Optimization
Topology optimization has been widely used in the aircraft industry because of its
ability to determine the optimized load path with efficient material distribution
and mass reduction. The OptiStruct algorithm alters the
material distribution to optimize the user-defined objective function under given
constraints.
Figure 1 shows the results from the topology
optimization of a helicopter performed in OptiStruct. In
this case, the objective is to minimize mass, with weighted compliance as the
constraint.
Failsafe Topology Optimization
Regular topology optimization runs may not account for the feasibility of design in
situations where a section of the structure fails. Failsafe optimization divides the
structure into damage zones (Figure 2) and generates multiple models
(equal to the number of failure zones), wherein each model is the same as the
original model without one failure zone. In this process, the failsafe topology
optimization is applied by running topology optimization simultaneously for all such
generated models and a final design output which is optimized to account for all
generated models.