An Improved Method of Structural Optimization Based on ANSYS

Because of the deficiency existing in both zero-order algorithm and first-order algorithm of ANSYS, this paper presents an improved method combining with both algorithms. Firstly, the zero-order algorithm is adopted to confirm the approximate location of the optimal solution, which will not be trapped into local optimum solutions. Secondly, the first-order algorithm is applied to determine the best solution by executing restart of optimization design. Finally, the improved method is examined through a numerical example by virtue of ANSYS10.0 and MATLAB7.0. The simulation results indicate that this method is more effective than traditional methods and advantages of it are much more remarkable when it is applied to complicated engineering structures.