Structural optimization of internally reinforced beams subjected to uncoupled and coupled bending and torsion loadings for industrial applications

In this work, novel types of internally reinforced hollow-box beams were structurally optimized using a Finite Element Updating code built in MATLAB. In total, 24 different beams were optimized under uncoupled bending and torsion loads. A new objective function was defined in order to consider the balance between mass and deflection on relevant nodal points. New formulae were developed in order to assess the efficiency of the code and of the structures. The efficiency of the code is determined by comparing the Finite Element results of the optimized solutions using ANSYS with the initial solutions. It was concluded that the optimization algorithm, built in Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) allowed to improve the effective mechanical behavior under bending in 8500%, showing a much better behavior than under torsion loadings. Therefore, the developed algorithm is effective in optimizing the novel FEM models under the studied conditions.