In ProTOp the shape optimization process is considered to be a continuous process which can be either in a
The optimization process can be controlled by a set of basic and a set of advanced parameters. The advanced parameters can be accessed via the Optimization parameters dialog by selecting the Parameters ... command from the Advanced controls drop-down menu. In a typical optimization task, these parameters do not require any adjustments.
The set of basic parameters is accessible directly from the optimization dialog. The following parameters are available:
Domain expansion control
Range: [-1.0, +1.0]
This parameter defines how the surface nodes are moved in the stress-based step of the optimization cycle. A value of -1.0 means that all nodes are moved inwards; a value of +1.0 means that all nodes are moved outwards. A value around 0.0 should be used to maintain a constant volume of the optimized structure.
Activation stress threshold
Range: [0.0, ~]
This parameter defines the threshold used to locate the high-stress surfaces that are active during optimization.
Expand by bandwidth
Range: [0, ~]
This parameter is used in expanding the initially active surface by a bandwidth of the specified number of elements.
Nodal movement rate
Range: [Low, High]
This parameter sets the rate by which the active surface nodes are moved. Note that under some circumstances high movement rates may lead to undesirable results and serious mesh degradation.
Favor either geometry or stress
Range: [Geometry, Stress]
This parameter sets a weighting factor which favors either the geometry-based or the stress-based step within the optimization cycle.
Optimization cycles: Actually requested
Range: [0, ~]
This parameter defines the requested number of optimization cycles that the user wants to run. Note that due to the lack of convergence criteria, the optimizer will always run exactly the requested number of cycles.
Several run FEA and pause commands are available from the Run cycles drop-down menu:
Run FEA only
This runs the FEA of unsuppressed static (stress) and modal (eigenfrequency) load cases and pauses without doing any optimization step. This might be useful for checking the structural response without doing any optimization.
Run ALL stress FEA cases
This runs the FEA of all (suppressed and unsuppressed) static (stress) load cases and pauses without doing any optimization step. This might be useful for checking the structural response of all stress load cases, including the disabled ones.
Run ALL eigenfrequency FEA cases
This runs the FEA of all (suppressed and unsuppressed) modal (eigenfrequency) load cases and pauses without doing any optimization step. This might be useful for checking the structural response of all eigenfrequency load cases, including the disabled ones.
Several other commands and options are available from the Additional controls drop-down menu:
Parameters ...
This command opens the Optimization parameters dialog, which provides access to advanced optimization parameters.
Load cases ...
This command opens the Optimization load cases dialog, which enables monitoring and management of currently active load cases.