Altair® OptiStruct® is a state of the art finite element solver for linear and nonlinear structural problems. It employs implicit integration schemes for static and dynamic problems. Besides mechanical loading, heat transfer coupled with structures is also available.
OptiStruct is designed with optimization at the core. The majority of solution sequences are available for optimization. A wide range of design problems can be solved addressing concept design and design fine tuning. In addition, RADIOSS and MotionSolve have been integrated to address multi-disciplinary optimization involving crash and impact, and multibody systems, respectively. The optimization capabilities of OptiStruct are innovative and market-leading.
Analysis applications of OptiStruct include Automotive powertrain durability and vibrations, vehicle interior acoustics, vibrations of satellites, durability of heavy duty and off-road vehicles, component stress and vibrations analysis, detailed finite element analysis of airplane structures, random vibrations of ships and buildings, structural behavior of composite wings, buckling behavior, and many other advanced engineering applications.
Optimization applications of OptiStruct include material layout of structures and parts under static loads, sheet metal sizing under static and dynamic loads, improvement of acoustic behavior, design of parts for additive manufacturing, design of composite layups, and more.
The OptiStruct Analysis Solutions include:
| - | Linear Buckling Analysis |
| - | Small Displacement Nonlinear Quasi-Static Analysis |
| - | Large Displacement Nonlinear Quasi-Static Analysis |
| - | Frequency Response Analysis |
| - | Complex Eigenvalue Analysis |
| - | Random Response Analysis |
| - | Response Spectrum Analysis |
| - | Linear Transient Response Analysis |
| - | Nonlinear Transient Response Analysis |
| - | Explicit Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis (RADIOSS Integration) |
| - | Linear Steady-State Heat Transfer Analysis |
| - | Linear Transient Heat Transfer Analysis |
| - | Nonlinear Steady-State Heat Transfer Analysis |
| - | Contact-based Thermal Analysis |
| - | One Step Transient Thermal Stress Analysis |
| - | Coupled Frequency Response Analysis of Fluid-Structure Models |
| - | Dang Van Criterion (Factor of Safety) |
| - | Random Response Fatigue Analysis |
| • | Advanced element formulations |
| - | Triangular, quadrilateral, first and second order shells |
| - | Hexahedron, pyramid, tetrahedron first and second order solids |
| - | Bar, beam, bushing, and rod elements |
| - | Spring, mass, and damping scalar elements |
| - | Mesh independent gap and weld elements |
| - | Concentrated and non-structural mass |
| • | Geometric element quality check |
| • | Local coordinate systems |
| • | Linear-elastic materials |
| • | Material consistency checks |
| • | Ground check for unintentionally constrained rigid body modes |
The OptiStruct Modeling Techniques include:
| • | Subcase Specific Modeling |
| • | Direct Matrix Input (Superelements) |
| - | Component Dynamic Analysis |
| • | Flexible Body Generation |
A typical set of finite elements including shell, solid, bar, scalar, and rigid elements as well as loads and materials are available for modeling complex events.
Multi-body dynamics solutions integrated via OptiStruct for rigid and flexible bodies include:
| • | Static and quasi-static analysis |
All typical types of constraints like joints, gears, couplers, user-defined constraints, and high-pair joints can be defined. High pair joints include point-to-curve, point-to-surface, curve-to-curve, curve-to-surface, and surface-to-surface constraints. They can connect rigid bodies, flexible bodies, or rigid and flexible bodies. For this multi-body dynamics solution, the power of Altair MotionSolve has been integrated with OptiStruct.
Structural Design and Optimization
Structural design tools include topology, topography, and free-size optimization. Sizing, shape and free shape optimization are available for structural optimization.
In the formulation of design and optimization problems, the following responses can be applied as the objective or as constraints: compliance, frequency, volume, mass, moment of inertia, center of gravity, displacement, velocity, acceleration, buckling factor, stress, strain, composite failure, force, synthetic response, and external (user defined) functions. Static, inertia relief, nonlinear quasi-static (contact), normal modes, buckling, and frequency response solutions can be included in a multi-disciplinary optimization setup.
Topology, topography, size, and shape optimization can be combined in a general problem formulation.
Reliability-based Design Optimization is available to provide optimum designs in the presence of uncertainty.
Topology Optimization
Topology optimization generates an optimized material distribution for a set of loads and constraints within a given design space. The design space can be defined using shell or solid elements, or both. The classical topology optimization set up solving the minimum compliance problem, as well as the dual formulation with multiple constraints are available. Constraints on von Mises stress and buckling factor are available with limitations. Manufacturing constraints can be imposed using a minimum member size constraint, draw direction constraints, extrusion constraints, symmetry planes, pattern grouping, and pattern repetition. A conceptual design can be imported in a CAD system using an iso-surface generated with OSSmooth, which is part of the OptiStruct package.
Free-size optimization is available for shell design spaces. The shell thickness or composite ply-thickness of each element is the design variable.
Failsafe Topology Optimization is available to account for design feasibility in situations where a section of the structure fails.
Lattice Structure Optimization, a novel solution, to create blended Solid and Lattice structures from concept to detailed final design is available. This technology is developed in particular to assist design innovation for additive layer manufacturing (3D printing).
Topography Optimization
Topology optimization generates an optimized material distribution for a set of loads and constraints within a given design space. The design space can be defined using shell or solid elements, or both. The classical topology optimization set up solving the minimum compliance problem, as well as the dual formulation with multiple constraints are available. Constraints on von Mises stress and buckling factor are available with limitations. Manufacturing constraints can be imposed using a minimum member size constraint, draw direction constraints, extrusion constraints, symmetry planes, pattern grouping, and pattern repetition. A conceptual design can be imported in a CAD system using an iso-surface generated with OSSmooth, which is part of the OptiStruct package.
Free-size optimization is available for shell design spaces. The shell thickness or composite ply-thickness of each element is the design variable.
Size and Shape Optimization
General size and shape optimization problems can be solved. Variables can be assigned to perturbation vectors, which control the shape of the model. Variables can also be assigned to properties, which control the thickness, area, moments of inertia, stiffness, and non-structural mass of elements in the model. All of the variables supported by OptiStruct can be assigned using HyperMesh. Shape perturbation vectors can be created using HyperMorph.
The reduction of local stress can be accomplished easily using free shape optimization. Shape perturbations are automatically determined by OptiStruct (based on the stress levels in the design) when using this technique.
The layout of laminated shells can be improved by modifying the ply thickness and ply angle of these materials.
Multibody Dynamics Analysis
Different solution sequences for the analysis of mechanical systems are available; these include Kinematics, Dynamics, Static, and Quasi-static solutions. Flexible bodies can be derived from any finite element model defined in OptiStruct.
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