Free Size Panel

Use the Free Size panel to define design domains for free size optimization.

Location: Analysis page > Optimization panel
Note: Only available in the OptiStruct solver interface.

Create Subpanel

Option Action
desvar Specify a name for the design variable.
type Select an entity type.
props Select a property.
minimum thickness Specify a non-zero value for the minimum shell (for PSHELL) or set global TMINPLY for PCOMP and PCOMPG.
maximum thickness Specify a maximum thickness other than the shell (for PSHELL) or set global TMINPLY for PCOMP and PCOMPG thickness defined on the property card.

Update Subpanel

Option Action
desvar Specify a name for the design variable.
type Select an entity type.
props Select a property.
minimum thickness Specify the minimum thickness or select zero to be the minimum.
maximum thickness Choose to use the thickness value from the selected property, or enter a thickness value.

Parameters Subpanel

Option Action
desvar Specify a name for the design variable.
minmemb off / mindim = Specify a value for the member size control, or toggle the switch to off.
stress constraint Specify a value for the stress constraint, or toggle the switch to none.
fatigue constraint Specify a value for the fatigue constraint, or toggle the switch to none.

Composites Subpanel

Option Action
desvar Select the DSIZE design variable.
laminate thickness: min thickness /off Specify a value for the laminate thickness (LAMTHK) minimum, or toggle the switch off.
laminate thickness: max thickness /off Specify a value for the laminate thickness (LAMTHK) maximum, or toggle the switch off.
ply thickness: no. of constraints Display the number of constraints for ply thickness (PLYTHK). To modify this number, click Edit.
ply percentage: no. of constraints Display the number of constraints for ply thickness percentage (PLYPCT). To modify this number, click Edit.
ply manufacture: no. of constraints Display the number of constraints for manufacturable ply thickness (PLYMAN). To modify this number, click Edit.
balance: no. of constraints Display the number of constraints for balancing (BALANCE). To modify this number, click Edit.
constant: no. of constraints Display the number of constraints for constant thickness (CONST). To modify this number, click Edit.
ply drop-off: no. of constraints Display the number of constraints for ply drop-off (PLYDRP). To modify this number, click Edit.

Pattern Grouping Subpanel

Option Action
desvar Specify a name for the design variable.
pattern type Select the pattern type.
second node Used for 2-plns sym or 3-plns sym types.
ucyc Specify the number of repetitions in 360 degrees. Used for cyclic or cyc 1-pln types.

Pattern Repetition Subpanel

Option Action
desvar Specify a name for the design variable.
main / secondary / none Choose whether to establish a main coordinate system, a secondary design variable, or neither.
system /coordinates Choose to manually enter the values for the coordinate system, or to graphically select the system.
global system / local system Reference coordinate system.
anchor Select the anchor node.
sx /sy /sz Specify x, y and z scale factors.

Zone Based Subpanel

Option Action
desvar Select the DSIZE design variable.
zone definition sets Select sets for zone based (GROUP) free-sizing optimization.

Command Buttons

Button Action
create Create the design variable.
edit Open the property collector panel to edit the property.
reject Revert the most recent changes.
review Review the load in the graphic area.
update Update the load with the most recent changes.
return Exit the panel.