This paper proposes a basic method for designing light and rigid structures that have a maximum natural frequency for a designated mode. A design variable “density,” related to the material properties of a three-dimensional solid element, is introduced into the finite element method (FEM). Thus, a structure is expressed as a density distribution inside its design domain, and the optimal structure is obtained by searching for the most suitable such distribution.

Issue Section:
Technical Briefs
Topics:
Density, Structural optimization, Design, Finite element methods, Materials properties
1.
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