Start

In this step will be defined the pre-processing sequence that will be connected to LS-OPT. This sequence of actions will be invoked in every optimization loop and every action of it will be executed in the defined order modifying the shape and parameters of the model. All these actions take place before the run of the solver. When the sequence runs the following tasks are executed:

• Reading Design Variable values from an ASCII file
• Modify the model according to the values of the ASCII file
• Output the model in LS-DYNA format

In order to skip the previous sections the user can use the rail_morph.ansa file where the morphing actions are already defined. However there is the need to rename the file as rail.ansa.

The optimization sequence will be defined through the Task Manager Tool. This sequence will be saved in the ANSA database when the user saves the database. Use the  button to open the Task Manager. To create a new Optimization Task pick on the Tasks button and select the "Optimization Task" from the pull-down menu that appears.
A default Optimization Task is defined which contains the following Task Items: DV file: design variables input file Design Variable: A design variable FE_output: Output command for the FE model. At this time the Optimization Task is at Definition mode. In this mode the user is able to define and modify the Task. This is the default mode when an Optimization Task is created. To run the Optimization Task the user should switch to the Execution mode.
To define one more Design Variable Item, right click on the Optimization Task and select New>Design Variable in the pull-down menu that appears.
A new Design Variable Item is added to the Optimization Task.