Optimization
This module explored how finite element simulations can be used not just to evaluate designs, but to improve them systematically. Optimization in FEM links numerical analysis with mathematical search methods to find lighter, stronger, or more efficient structures
The projects included:
Shape optimization: adjusting geometry to minimize stress concentrations and improve load paths, while maintaining constraints such as maximum displacement or volume.
Size optimization: tuning dimensions and cross-sections of structural members to meet performance targets with minimal material usage.
Topology optimization: using density-based algorithms to identify the most effective material distribution inside a design space. This produced characteristic “organic” structures that balance stiffness and weight.
Constraint handling: formulating problems where objectives (e.g., minimizing mass) must respect safety limits on stresses, displacements, or frequencies.
These exercises showed how optimization is an iterative process, where simulation results guide design adjustments. The challenge lies not only in running the solver but also in defining meaningful objectives and constraints that reflect real engineering goals.
This module demonstrated the power of FEM as a design tool, not just an analysis tool. By combining simulation with optimization methods, it is possible to create structures that are both efficient and reliable — a mindset increasingly central to modern engineering practice