Abstract
This paper proposes a novel approach to the determination of structural shapes that satisfy the requirement for high stiffness, lightweight and strength. In this method, the final shape is determined by the BEM-based fully stressed design. The shape is iteratively changed in such a way that the von Mises stress of all the material elements, σ_i (x_i), lies within an allowable stress region defined as σ_(lower) ≦ σ_i (x_i) ≦ σ_(upper). By making an appropriate choice of σ_(lower) and σ_(upper), this algorithm allows us to derive a lightweight structural shape with high stiffness and enough strength. As an example, this method was employed for the determination of the shape of a hook.
