Optimization of structural members software
Optimization of structural members software
(OP)
Personal project
Constructing a large hovercraft from structural plywood/epoxy.
The structural members (a truss/frame mixture) will be built up as required (solid,hollow,I beam).
Stressed skin of 1/8 inch(3mm)plywood epoxied to the interior frame members is thought to be a good possibility (semi-monocoque).
I have Googled for software using search words like "buckling frame optimization finite element" and have found ~ 5 softwares that might be suitable (~ $5,000+) but is there any software that you could recommend that is more suitable for least weight of this situation than others.
Constructing a large hovercraft from structural plywood/epoxy.
The structural members (a truss/frame mixture) will be built up as required (solid,hollow,I beam).
Stressed skin of 1/8 inch(3mm)plywood epoxied to the interior frame members is thought to be a good possibility (semi-monocoque).
I have Googled for software using search words like "buckling frame optimization finite element" and have found ~ 5 softwares that might be suitable (~ $5,000+) but is there any software that you could recommend that is more suitable for least weight of this situation than others.





RE: Optimization of structural members software
Optistruct runs in two modes. I've only used one with any serious intent, which effectively alters the density of each solid element. You then filter out the low density elements. There is a mode for shell elements, which sounds more like what you want.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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