Global optimization using a deflation-based method for the design of composite structures

Composite structures are rapidly transforming the aerospace industry, driven by continuous advancements in manufacturing methods capable of producing optimized structures with variable stiffness that enables the creation of increasingly complex and efficient structures. This project focuses on the development of a global optimization method that...

Topologically Optimised Cast Glass Grid Shell Nodes: Exploring Topology Optimisation as a design tool for Structural Cast Glass elements with reduced annealing time

Cast glass is a promising structural material that has seen increasing use in the build environment over the last year. It offers a great freedom of shape for designers and engineers, beyond the two-dimensional float glass that is still primarily used. Despite this, cast glass in practice has only been used for solid bricks, mimicking...

Shape optimisation of a second skin: What can be achieved - in terms of structural and building physics performance - when an existing skin of a building is removed and replaced by a new facade

To reach the European Union climate targets of 2020 the rate of refurbishment must increase. The problem is that there are many barriers to refurbishment, which causes a low rate and low quality. The objective is to overcome these barriers and stimulate facade refurbishment. This thesis looks at the improvement, that can be made when replacing...

Wing Optimization with Active Load Control: Integrating Maneuver Load Control and Gust Load Alleviation in Wing Structural Optimization of Large Transport Aircraft

Improving the performance of large transport aircraft requires high aspect ratio and lightweight wings, making aeroelasticity an important factor in wing structural design. Active control of aeroelastic loads can be used to improve the aeroelastic behavior of the wing.<br/><br/>Two active load control techniques are considered: Maneuver Load...

Gradient-based optimization of jacket support structure for offshore wind turbines with the local approach

Offshore wind turbines are exposed to complex irregular and highly fluctuating environmental conditions. The analysis is, therefore commonly performed in the time domain, resulting in a time consuming and computationally demanding optimization process. In order to reduce the computational cost, an optimization approach using the principle of...

Continuous Exploration

The goal of the design studio is to formulate a design proposal for a 7000 m2 pavilion for the World Expo in 2025 in Rotterdam. The theme of the world expo is: where ambition turns environmental challenges into economic opportunities. The building industry is a large polluter, since manufacturing processes cause a lot of waste and has a high...

The Effect of Braces in an Asymmetric Semi-Submersible Hull: A Structural Weight and Multiaxial Fatigue Assessment

Heerema Marine Contractors is looking into a new semi-submersible crane vessel concept with an asymmetric hull. The necessity of braces (connections between the portside and starboard hulls) for this vessel is questioned, based on earlier vessel developments and operational experience. This study addresses the influence of braces on the...

Optimization of stiffened panels using a combination of FEM and a predictor-corrector interior point method

Structural optimization, first introduced by Schmidt in 1960, is a rapid growing factor in the development of new aerospace structures. This growth is established by the increase in numerical modelling techniques, cheaper computer power, the increasing cost of production and competition between companies. The combination of both structural...

Additive manufacturing [AM] of algorithmically form generated nodes for free form space frame structures

Ever since the idea of truss structures was conceived and later were expanded into three dimensional structures forming space frames, jointing has been a challenge. The evolution of jointing systems includes three main methods: connection with a node, connection with a prefabricated unit and connection without a node (e.g. welding). Delving more...