Abstract: Enhanced global design variables used in structural topology optimization are disclosed. FEA model of a product's initial candidate design along with design objective and constraint, and initial global design variables are received. Field design variables are then initialized. Simulated structural responses including computed IED distribution and design constraints and objectives of the product are obtained by performing a time-marching simulation of the impact event using the FEA model. New values of global design variables are computed based on computed design constraints and objectives, A target IED distribution defined by the sum of a set of mathematical functions with each function scaled by a corresponding global design variable for next candidate design is established. Field design variables are then updated using the differences of the target IED distribution and the computed IED distribution. Simulated structural responses are obtained until the current candidate design is deemed to be optimal.

Abstract: Definition of a product's design domain along with design objective, at least one target design constraint, macro and field design variables are received in a computer system. Macro design variable is related to the product's design specification while field design variables control the material distribution within the design domain. Candidate design, represented by corresponding FEA model, based on the design domain is established. At least one variation of the candidate design is created by varying macro design variable. Corresponding design constraint of the candidate design and at least one variation are computed via FEA. Trend of the computed design constraints with respect to macro design variable is determined by multi-dimensional data fitting. Macro variables are updated according to the trend. New candidate design is created by computing field design variables using FEA results from the previous candidate design and design specifications including updated values of the macro design variables.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting design sensitivity analysis of a product are disclosed. FEA model representing a product is received in a computer system having a FEA software installed thereon. The FEA software is configured for using both explicit and implicit solution schemes and allowing the FEA model to be switched back and forth between said explicit and said implicit solution schemes. Numerically simulated structural behaviors are then obtained by conducting a time-marching simulation using the FEA model in the computer system with the explicit solution scheme. Then, DSA is conducted by performing one or more snapshot structural analyses at respective predetermined solution cycles using the same FEA model with the implicit solution scheme. Each snapshot structural analysis is based on the simulated structural behaviors obtained at that solution cycle. The DSA includes one or more partial derivatives of a structural response of interest versus a selected design variable.

Abstract: Improved topology optimization for engineering product design is disclosed. An engineering product including a design domain to be optimized is defined. Design domain can be a portion or the entire engineering product. Design objective and optional constraint are defined such that optimization goal is achieved. Additionally, initial configuration of the design domain is represented by a finite element analysis (FEA) mesh. Each element or element group is associated with a design variable. A set of discrete material models is created from the baseline material used for the design domain. The set of discrete material models is configured to cover entire range of the design variable and each discrete material model represents a non-overlapping portion. Each element representing the design domain is associated with an appropriate discrete material model according to the design variable. Structure response is obtained via FEA to evaluate design objective and update design variable.

Abstract: Improved topology optimization for engineering product design is disclosed. An engineering product including a design domain to be optimized is defined. Design domain can be a portion of or the entire engineering product. Design objective and optional constraint are also defined such that optimization goal can be achieved. Additionally, initial configuration of the design domain is represented by a finite element analysis (FEA) mesh. Each element or element group is associated with a design variable. A set of discrete material models is created from the baseline material used for the design domain. The set of discrete material models is configured to cover entire range of the design variable and each discrete material model represents a non-overlapping portion. Each element representing the design domain is associated with an appropriate discrete material model according to the design variable.

Abstract: A system, method, and software product for an accelerated design optimization is described. Engineers/designers/users define an initial design with a set of responses and constraints on the responses in a design optimization process. A plurality of approximations to the responses around the initial design is created to represent an engineering design space. A current optimal design is determined from the approximations subject to the set of constraints. Actual structural response of the current optimal design is calculated. As a result, the residual between the actual response and the approximated response can be established. When the optimization process has not reached convergence, another set of approximations is created around the current optimal design. Instead of using the original set of constraints, the new set of constraints is adjusted with the calculated residual, so that the design optimization process can achieve convergence much faster.