Physics-Inspired Neural Networks in the Evaluation, Generation and Design of Frame Structures

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Sandro Wartzack
• Subject Area: Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 523871886

Structural optimization represents an economical and effective lightweight design method, especially when full material utilization in terms of strength and stiffness is desired. The design and evaluation of truss structures is one of the most common tasks in practice, often by using numerical simulation with beam or truss elements. In this work, alternative design and evaluation procedures of such 1D idealizations based on so-called physical-inspired neural networks (PINN) are the focus of research. Thereby, mainly 3D simulation data and 3D topology optimization results shall serve as a training basis to improve the predictive behaviour of the 1D idealizations. In total, three different PINNs will be investigated. The first PINN is expected to lead to improved prediction of physical quantities such as deformation and strain of 1D models. The second PINN is intended to derive optimal cross-section parameters based on a given 1D frame structure. The third PINN will use training data from 3D optimizations to predict optimal design proposals for frame structures so that, for example, regions with multi-axial states can be directly optimized and derived as a parametric model without the need for complex topology optimization. In addition to the training of PINNs, a method based on the so-called skeletonization for the fully automatic transfer of results from a 3D simulation to a 1D model is also investigated. This fully automatic transfer is necessary to generate the synthetic data sets for the respective PINNs. Finally, the trained PINNs are combined to realize an automated evaluation, cross-section dimensioning and locally optimized regions in real time (a few seconds) for a bicycle frame, for example.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants