Concurrent Sub-Region Collaborative Method for Static and Dynamic Coupled Layout Optimization of Stiffened Plates

Abstract

The main concern of the paper is the concurrent treatment of size and layout variables in the static–dynamic coupled layout optimization of stiffened plates. As compared to size optimization alone, layout optimization is a more challenging task, and the problem will become more difficult and complex if the coupling of statics and dynamics is then considered simultaneously. A concurrent sub-region collaborative (CSRC) optimization strategy is proposed in this paper based on the idea of concurrency in multidisciplinary design optimization. The core idea is to decompose the original complex problem into multiple sub-problems by decoupling twice and maintaining the connection with the original problem by sub-region coordination and consistency constraints. A dynamic driving function is added to the CSRC method to solve the problem of iteration difficulty in the feasible region of the collaborative optimization (CO) method, and the performance of the driving function is illustrated by a numerical test. Furthermore, an adaptive surrogate model (ASM) based on the benchmark sub-region is modeled, which improves the prediction accuracy and optimization speed. Finally, a static–dynamic coupled layout optimization of a metal stiffened plate is performed, and the result indicates that the CSRC method performs well on the given case, and its concurrency property makes it possible to not only enlarge the search space but also reduce a significant “wall-clock time” compared to the sequential strategy.