Design Optimization by Incremental Modification of Model Topology.

Using a standard commercial package, case studies in shape optimisation were used to investigate rules and heuristics for identifying design variables for shape optimisation and incremental updates to the topology of a geometric model from finite element stress results. Topological modifications based on the classical Euler operations were used. The results indicate that intelligent interpretation of analysis results could be used to identify design variables for shape optimisation and model changes for topology optimisation. Typically only a few incremental changes to the topology are required before the additional benefit of a given increase in complexity becomes small.