Shape optimization of a thick-walled power boiler component

This paper presents a methodology and successful application of structural optimization of a T-pipe under transient thermal and mechanical loads. In order to find the optimal shape of a thick-walled power boiler component, a parametric FE model and the evolutionary algorithm (EA) are applied. The power boiler start-up and shutdown curves are based on the TRD 301 guidelines. Maximum total stresses are assumed as optimization constraints. The obtained geometry is by about 18.6% lighter than the original one due to thinning of the walls. Maximum tensile and compressive stresses in the modified geometry are smaller than in the original one during the whole cycle. Additionally, lower total stress values are recorded during heating and cooling processes. Therefore, these transient processes can be accelerated and the shutdown and start-up losses can be reduced.