cai-aa/text-to-cae/abaqus-optimization

Abaqus Optimization Skill

This skill configures optimization tasks in Abaqus. It's the base module - for complete workflows, route to /abaqus-topology-optimization or /abaqus-shape-optimization.

When to Use This Skill

Route here when user mentions:

• "design response", "objective function", "optimization constraint"
• "SIMP penalty", "material interpolation"
• Low-level optimization setup (not complete workflows)

Route elsewhere:

• Complete topology optimization workflow → /abaqus-topology-optimization
• Complete shape optimization workflow → /abaqus-shape-optimization
• Running the optimization → /abaqus-job

Prerequisites

Before optimization setup:

1. ✅ Working static analysis that converges
2. ✅ Appropriate mesh density
3. ✅ Full Abaqus license with Tosca (not Learning Edition)

Workflow: Setting Up Optimization

Step 1: Understand User's Goal

Ask if unclear:

• What to optimize? Weight, stiffness, frequency, stress?
• What constraints? Volume limit, stress limit, displacement limit?
• Manufacturing? Casting (draw direction), additive (min feature size)?

Step 2: Choose Objective-Constraint Pair

Most common: Minimize compliance with volume ≤ 30%

Step 3: Define Design Responses

Design responses are the quantities optimization tracks:

Step 4: Set Objective Function

The objective is what gets optimized:

• MINIMIZE_MAXIMUM - For compliance, stress
• MAXIMIZE_MINIMUM - For frequency

Step 5: Add Constraints

Constraints limit the design space:

• RELATIVE_LESS_THAN_EQUAL - Percentage (volume ≤ 30%)
• ABSOLUTE_LESS_THAN_EQUAL - Fixed value (stress ≤ 200 MPa)

Step 6: Consider Manufacturing

Step 7: Freeze Critical Regions

Always freeze:

• BC application regions (mounting points)
• Load application regions
• Functional surfaces (mating interfaces)

Key Parameters

Validation Checklist

After setup, verify:

• [ ] Task created with correct region
• [ ] At least one design response defined
• [ ] Objective function set
• [ ] Volume or other constraint defined
• [ ] BC/load regions frozen
• [ ] Manufacturing constraint if needed

Troubleshooting

Code Patterns

For actual API syntax and code examples, see:

• API Quick Reference
• Common Patterns
• Troubleshooting Guide