An optimization analysis requires an upstream "feeder" system that provides the loading and/or boundary conditions used to create an optimized part based on the Objective and Response Constraint objects specified in the optimization analysis.
Supported Upstream Systems
The optimization analysis must be linked to (preceded by) one of the following analysis types:
Static Structural/Static Structural Nonlinear
Any combination of Harmonic Response, Modal, Static Structural, and/or Steady-State Thermal.
Note: The Structural Optimization analysis supports Condensed Parts from upstream Harmonic Response, Modal, and Static Structural (linear only) analyses.
Procedure
Specify your upstream system or systems. Drag the system from the Toolbox to the Project Schematic or double-click the system in the Toolbox. The cells between the systems should be linked as illustrated below.
Link your systems as illustrated in the examples shown below. The new Structural Optimization system shares the Engineering Data, Geometry, and Model cells with the same cells as the upstream systems and the Solution cell links to the Setup cell of the Structural Optimization system.
Upstream Static Structural System Example
Multiple Upstream Systems Example
If necessary, link the Solution cell of the Static Structural or Modal analysis to the Setup cell of the Structural Optimization system.
Note:If your upstream system is a single Static Structural analysis, Ansys recommends that you use step-based loading to improve scalability. In order to do so, you need to define your loading conditions using the Tabular Data window and you need to set the Independent Variable property to the option. This does not include the use of the Thermal Condition load.
When you specify a Structural Optimization system from Mechanical, you need to make sure that you connect the systems properly. Connect the systems using the context (right-click) menu option from the Structural Optimization environment. Once linked, you can disconnect the systems using the option of the context menu.
Once you link the analyses, automatic property specifications are made in Mechanical to define the relationship between the systems.