Simulative approach to solution of optimal design problems of shell construction

The paper presents simulative approach to structural optimization problems of shell construction, which are under static loads or realize free vibrations. Optimization (control) functions are the functions, which determine middle surface, thickness (or internal and external surfaces) and physical properties of shell. As a result of approximation of optimization functions we received the mathematical programming problem. Static problems and free vibration problems are solved by the finite element method using isoparametric finite element approximations. Such characteristics as weight, functional of displacement, stress, eigenvalues are calculated according to full models and simulative models. To approximate these characteristics the multiplicative functions are used, parameters of which are calculated using the value of the functions and their derivatives. The examples of optimization of shell constructions demonstrate the capabilities of the present approach.