TOOL FOR OPTIMIZED THIN WALL PROFILE MEMBER (TPM) AND TPM-PANEL DESIGN AND SELECTION

摘要

The present disclosure describes tools and associated computational analysis methodologies employed therein for improved minimum weight design of thin wall profile members (TPMs). The tools draw on inter-dependent parameters relating to TPM cross-section dimensions ratio values and established constructive restrictions to calculate, using appropriate algorithmic computational analysis, the optimum cross-section dimensions values of a given TPM. A design selection saves as a blueprint for the next stage, which is the actual fabrication or manufacturing of the component. For a given set of constructive restrictions, the final product is based on optimum configurations selected from a fixed set of TPMs with varied cross-sectional shapes.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method to determine optimum cross-section dimensions values of a thin wall profile member (TPM) from a weight-optimization perspective, the TPM having at least one main strip and having at least one additional strip with a free reinforcing rib, the computer-implemented method comprising:
identifying a set of TPM cross-section dimensions ratio values including c/b and δc/δb, where c/b is the ratio of a width c of the at least one additional strip with a free reinforcing rib to a width b of the at least one main strip and satisfies the requirement that c/b falls in a range of values between 0.05 and 0.3, and where δc/δb is the ratio of a thickness δc of the at least one additional strip with a free reinforcing rib to a thickness δb of the at least one main strip and satisfies the requirement that δc/δb falls in a range of values between 1.0 and 3.0; and performing computational analysis on a set of inter-dependent parameters, including the identified set of TPM cross-section dimensions ratio values, to calculate optimum cross-section dimensions values of the TPM.