3D and multiple load case bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO)

Evolutionary Structural Optimization (ESO), is a numerical method of structural optimization that is integrated with finite element analysis (FEA). Bi-directional ESO (BESO) is an extension to this method and can begin with minimal amount of material (only that necessary to support the load and support cases) in contrast to ESO which uses an initially oversized structure. Using BESO the structure is then allowed to grow into the optimum design or shape by both adding elements where the stresses are the highest and taking elements away where stresses are the lowest. In conducting this research, a methodology was developed (and integrated into the ESO program EVOLVE) which produced the optimal 3D finite element models of a structure in a more reliable way than the traditional ESO method. Additionally, the BESO method was successfully extended to multiple load cases for both 2D and 3D. Two different algorithms were used to find the best structure experiencing more than one load case and the results of each are included.