Astros for reliability-based multidisciplinary structural analysis and optimization

In conducting multidisciplinary structural optimization, there is uncertainty and randomness in the input information of finite element models, material properties and boundary conditions; Because of the stringent performance requirements on the missions of modern aircraft, there is a need for reducing the structural failure probability due to uncertainties by conducting stochastic analysis instead of a deterministic approach. This paper presents a strategy for conducting such an analysis in a widely used structural analysis and optimization program ASTROS. The execution control sequence of ASTROS is modified and reliability analysis modules are incorporated for analysis and multidisciplinary optimization. The implementation and modification of ASTROS for incorporating the random nature of input information is demonstrated through truss and wing structure examples. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.