A novel method of structural shape optimization coupling BEM with an optimization method based on biological growth

Local stress peaks are the main reason for fatigue failure of structures, and therefore many researchers make every effort to search for effective methods of structural shape optimization. Mattheck and Burkhard (1990) have developed a method by simulating the self-optimization mechanism of biological growth, using FEM. BEM is a very effective method in which only the boundary is divided into elements, and particularly, accurate results at the boundary can be obtained. It is obvious that BEM is a more suitable analysis method for structural shape optimization than FEM. Coupling BEM of three-dimensional thermoelasticity problems with an optimization method based on biological growth, a novel method of structural shape optimization is successfully developed by the authors. Several examples are used to demonstrate that the method is successful and efficient.