Free form design for single layer shell structures

With the aim of finding the optimum design that maximizes the stiffness of shell structures, an automated approach for shape optimization of free-form surface is presented. The approach is employed to calculate the differential of total structural strain energy corresponding to surface height parameters. The surface height is adjusted iteratively according to its sensitivity to total structural strain energy. The shape of the shell is modified in the course of the process. The method has been implemented into a computational model and the feasibility of the approach is demonstrated using an example.