Radial (3D) pattern grouping allows you to force OptiStruct to create variables that consolidate the perturbations of active grids in a radial direction away from a central point. This can be very useful for optimizing spherical models with solid elements.

For radial (3D) pattern grouping (TYP = 7, 17, 27, and 37), OptiStruct generates shape variables that run radially away from a central point defined by the anchor node. Radial beads, at their closest point to the central axis, have a width equal to the minimum bead width parameter. The width of the beads increases with distance from the center. There is no limit on the bead length. The anchor point can be located anywhere, but is ideally located at the center of a sphere.

The planes for one, two, and three plane radial (3D) symmetry are established in a manner identically to one, two and three plane symmetry without radial (3D) pattern grouping (TYP = 10, 20, and 30).