Numerical design optimisation for the Karoo Array Telescope

[摘要] Although mass minimisation is an important application within structuraloptimisation, other applications include: (1) concept generation, (2) conceptevaluation, (3) design for structural feasibility and (4) data matching. Theseapplications, except data matching, are discussed and illustrated on a prototypedesign of the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT) antenna. The KAT passed throughthe design process and a full scale prototype was built, but was found to be tooexpensive. A detailed finite element model of the finalised design was consideredas a test bed for reducing costs.Size-, shape- and topology optimisation are applied to three KAT components,while considering wind, temperature and gravity loads. Structural- and nonstructuralconstraints are introduced. Coupling of the structural optimisationcode with an external analysis program to include non-structural responses andthe parallelisation of the sensitivity calculations are presented.It is shown that if a finite element model is available, it is generally possibleto apply structural optimisation to improve an existing design. A reduction of2673 kg steel was accomplished for the existing KAT components. The total costsaving for the project will be significant, when considering that a large amountof antennas will be manufactured.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University