Otimização de sistemas mecânicos: ferramenta de engenharia de concepção

Abstract

The present work focuses the problem of mechanical systems automated structural synthesis by means of case studies related to the design of components belonging to the automotive industry. A bibliographic review about the synthesis fundamental techniques (in the context presented here) is done: the analysis by the finite element method, the non-linear optimization and the model reduction or approximation techniques. Two first tier software tools were chosen (VMA/GENESIS and MSC/NASTRAN) in order to apply the aforementioned methodology in three case studies: the shape optimization of a part obtained by iron casting, the optimization of the dynamic behaviour of a structure excited by the vehicle’s powertrain and the comparisson between two difierent optimization techniques applied to an air suspension component. Finally, for one of the studied situations, a photoelastic experimental application is developed.