Truss structure optimization techniques

A method for optimizing an arrangement design of a 3-D truss structure supporting at least one component, the arrangement design including a plurality of coupling nodes and a plurality of physical strut elements (struts), each strut being disposed between and attached with a respective pair of the plurality of coupling nodes, the method comprising:

• performing a quantitative optimization of an objective function corresponding to a figure of merit of the arrangement design, the figure of merit having a specified value, the quantitative optimization comprising:
• generating a finite element analysis model, the analysis model including boundary conditions and a 3-D lattice mesh of strut-like finite elements, each strut-like finite element having a respective set of one or more assumed mechanical properties that model a respective simulated strut element, the boundary conditions including one or more input load parameters, and one or more of a mass and a moment of inertia of at the at least one component;
• computing, with the finite element analysis model, a value for the objective function;
• optimizing the objective function by executing, on a processor, at least two cycles of an optimization loop, the optimization loop comprising:
• a) computing a respective parameter of each strut-like finite element;
• b) adjusting the finite element analysis model by:
• (i) decrementing the assumed mechanical property of a first subset of the finite elements, each element in the first subset having a respective computed parameter that is less than a first threshold;
• and (ii) deleting, from the finite element analysis model, any finite element in the first subset for which a resulting mechanical property is less than a second threshold;
• (c) computing, with the adjusted finite element analysis model, an updated value for the objective function;
• and
• determining, when the updated value for the objective function is within a desired tolerance of the specified value, that the adjusted finite element analysis model represents a sufficiently optimized arrangement design, and, when the updated value for the objective function is outside the desired tolerance, repeating steps (a) through (c).

A non-transitory computer readable medium having software stored thereon, the software including instructions for causing a computer to optimize an arrangement design of a 3-D truss structure supporting at least one component, the arrangement design including a plurality of coupling nodes and a plurality of physical strut elements (struts), each strut being disposed between and attached with a respective pair of the plurality of coupling nodes, the software including instructions for:

• performing a quantitative optimization of an objective function corresponding to a figure of merit of the arrangement design, the figure of merit having a specified value, the quantitative optimization comprising:
• generating a finite element analysis model, the analysis model including boundary conditions and a 3-D lattice mesh of strut-like finite elements, each strut-like finite element having a respective set of one or more assumed mechanical properties that model a respective simulated strut element, the boundary conditions including one or more input load parameters, and one or more of a mass and a moment of inertia of at the at least one component;
• computing, with the finite element analysis model, a value for the objective function;
• optimizing the objective function by executing, on a processor, at least two cycles of an optimization loop, the optimization loop comprising:
• a) computing a respective parameter of each strut-like finite element;
• b) adjusting the finite element analysis model by:
• (i) decrementing the assumed mechanical property of a first subset of the finite elements, each element in the first subset having a respective computed parameter that is less than a first threshold;
• and (ii) deleting, from the finite element analysis model, any finite element in the first subset for which a resulting mechanical property is less than a second threshold;
• (c) computing, with the adjusted finite element analysis model, an updated value for the objective function;
• and
• determining, when the updated value for the objective function is within a desired tolerance of the specified value, that the adjusted finite element analysis model represents a sufficiently optimized arrangement design, and, when the updated value for the objective function is outside the desired tolerance, repeating steps (a) through (c).