Free topology generation of self-stiffened panels using skeleton-based integral soft objects

Abstract In the present paper, a special methodology for the fast generation and parameterization of ribbed thin-walled structures with a free topology is presented. The procedure employs the entire potential field irradiated by special-purpose skeleton-based integral soft objects to re-arrange the finite element surface of arbitrary shaped structural domains producing auto-blending ribs and protrusions with no topology constraints. The method has been structured to operate in parallel with a vectorial architecture or a Graphics Processing Unit. A rich library of soft object primitives with structural shapes have been developed. Demonstrative examples of self-stiffened panels, either regular or arbitrarily shaped, are illustrated.