Shape Design Optimization of Thermoelastic Structures for Durability

Abstract

Shape design sensitivity analysis (DSA) and optimization methods for the fatigue life of thermoelastic structural components are presented in this paper. A multiaxial fatigue life prediction method is used for crack initiation. The crack initiation life prediction is modeled using constant amplitude strain-life data and cyclic stress-strain curves. A hybrid DSA method is used for the fatigue life. The design sensitivities of the dynamic stress and the temperature field are obtained using analytical approaches. The design sensitivity is used to predict the dynamic stress and temperature of the perturbed design. Using predicted stress and temperature, the fatigue life of the perturbed structural design component is predicted. The predicted fatigue life is then used to obtain the design sensitivity of the fatigue life by utilizing the finite difference method. The proposed DSA method is applied to design optimization of an automotive exhaust manifold of an automotive vehicle, considering crack initiation lives as design constraints.