Structural Optimization in Automotive Design - Theory and Application
Description
In recent years numerical simulation has gained importance in all engineering disciplines. In the automotive industry the development process evolved from an experiment based to a virtual development process. Through this move towards simulation, mathematical optimization also gained importance and new opportunities for its application have been opened within the development process. Only a few years ago it would have been unthinkable to find the optimal cross section and the number and location of ribs for a cast part through mathematical optimization, which is now common practice. As there exists no single optimization method that is suited for all problems, it is important to gain an overview over various optimization methods and their characteristics. In the seminar the most popular and reliable optimization methods will be presented. The focus will be on the explanation of the basic concepts and ideas rather than on the detailed mathematical derivations and formulations. Emphasis will be on practical applications. Possibilities for using optimization methods will be demonstrated through many industrial examples. The following questions will be answered in the seminar: Which optimization methods are suited for which problems and which are not? How big is the optimization effort? How can the optimization effort be minimized? Which possibilities exist for the formulation of different optimization problems? What can lead to failure of an optimization?
Content
- Local and global optimization methods and coupled strategies
- Approximation methods
- Lagrange function, dual method
- Optimality criteria methods
- Bionic optimization procedures (CAO, SKO, evolutionary algorithms, optimization with particle swarms)
- Coupling with FEM
- Formulation of optimization problems
- Sensitivity analysis
- Determination of important variables and variable reduction
- Sizing
- Shape optimization, use of morphing techniques, topology optimization
- Robustness optimization
- Multi disciplinary and multi objective optimization
- Numerous application examples
Objectives
At the end of the seminar participants will have gained an overview over different optimization disciplines and procedures, the areas of application and their individual limitations.
Who should attend?
The seminar is suited for engineers and technicians from research and development departments, users that intend to enlarge or fresh up their background knowledge and newcomers that want to get an overview of the subject.
Dates & Registration
| Date | Location | Language | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-27-2025 | Online | English | from 1750 EUR | » Register |
| 03-02-2026 | Alzenau | Deutsch | from 1750 EUR | » Register |
Instructors
Lothar Harzheim
Opel Automobile GmbH
Prof. Dr. Harzheim worked in the Group of Professor Mattheck on the development of the optimization programs CAO and SKO, before joining the simulation department of Opel. At Opel he is responsible for optimization, bio engineering and robustness. In this position he not only introduced and applied optimization methods but has also developed software for topology optimization. Prof. Dr. Harzheim regularly holds seminars for applied structural optimization and teaches at the Technical University of Darmstadt. He is the author of the book "Strukturoptimierung: Grundlagen und Anwendungen".