Figure 19–5 illustrates how an optimization process iteratively updates the design variables, modifies the finite element model, and runs Abaqus analyses while it searches for an optimized solution.
An optimization process reads an optimization task that you defined in the Abaqus Topology Optimization Module and iteratively searches for an optimized solution based on the objective functions and constraints that you defined in the optimization task. Each iteration is called a design cycle. During each design cycle, a topology or shape optimization modifies the finite element model, and an Abaqus analyses is performed on the modified model. The optimization process reads the results of the analysis and decides whether to end the optimization because either the solution is optimal or a specified stop condition has been reached or whether to continue the optimization and iterate on another design cycle.An optimization process appears in the Analysis section of the Model Tree and contains the Abaqus jobs that were run during the optimization, as shown in Figure 19–6.
You can check the validity of your optimization process; however, the validation does not check your Abaqus model. You should run a complete analysis of your model and make sure that it runs to completion before you attempt to run an optimization process.
