Structural shape optimization and intelligent modeling

One of the difficulties to prevent structural shape optimization software from wide use in industry is to describe and construct design model, optimization model and analysis model in terms of natural design variables and implement transformations between the three models. This paper addresses the difficulty in the context of applicability of computer software. A simple way is presented for defining structured boundary of plane continuum that is modified dynamically during the process of shape optimization. Heuristic rules and techniques from artificial intelligence are applied to generate the geometric model described by the design element method, i.e., to subdivide the structure into big quadrilateral elements which are necessary for further mesh generation. It is one of the important steps towards a fully automatic computer aided structural optimization system.