Optimal design of stiffened panels under buckling constraints: A design methodology considering cad-based parameterization with simultaneous layout and sizing optimization

An innovative design methodology is proposed for the simultaneous layout and sizing optimization of stiffened panels. A computer-aided design (CAD) modelling tool is used to generate the panel geometry and parameterize the stiffeners layout. The same geometric parameterization is used in the gradient-based optimization. Therefore no additional constraints are applied on grid points coordinates in order to conform with the geometric requirements. The proposed method also eliminates the extra step of converting the optimal design back to the CAD model. An effective parameterization scheme is used that defines the location and orientation of a stiffener with only two layout design variables. The sensitivities of the structural responses with respect to both layout and sizing design variables are computed through the semi-analytical method of Nastran. The proposed methodology is used to re-design a benchmark metallic stiffened panel from literature. The obtained results are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.