After successful completion of the course, students are able to explain and apply the following topics in a basic way

• Basic components of an optimization problem
• Introduction to optimization algorithms
• Parameterizations in geometry and topology optimization
• Possible objective functions
• Calculation of the gradient of the objective function
• Modern approaches to optimization (e.g. machine learning)
• Design of lightweight structures
• Load cases for lightweight structures
• Robust optimization

The field of lightweight design deals with the development of structural components that fulfill their specified function under given boundary conditions with minimal material input/weight. This weight saving has the potential to lead to an improvement in the areas of sustainability, environment and energy, both in manufacturing and in product use.

In addition to analytical design methods, numerical design methods have recently been increasingly used in lightweight design. The core topics of modeling, simulation and optimization are addressed, with the emphasis on optimization. After completing the module, students are able to set up an optimization problem suitable for numerical design. This includes the modeling and simulation of the physical problem, the appropriate description of the optimization parameters, and the selection of a suitable optimization algorithm.

Lecture part: The lecture will contain a mixture of presentation and handwritten explanations. Small calculation examples will illustrate the theory.
Exercise part: The methods presented in the lecture will be applied to concrete examples. Homework will be provided and the results presented by the students in the following practice session. The software Hyperworks Student Edition is required for the exercise tasks. The software is available for free on Windows systems or can be used on location at the institute. Prior knowledge of the software is not necessary.

The performance evaluation is done by colloquia in the exercise part and in case of positive evaluation of the colloquia, an overall grade for the LVA is determined based on a theoretical examination on the lecture material. 

Es wird kein Skriptum zur Lehrveranstaltung angeboten.