Mathematical formulation for characterization of geometric configuration of planar structural systems and components in nuclear reactors

The Boundary Element Method (BEM) is presented for the study and optimum characterization of planar structural components and systems. This characterization is obtained by the analysis of stress maps, applying quasi Newton optimization method. The initial geometry is modified to match specified stresses on the structure. Changes in the boundary geometry configuration originate a new stress solution in boundary element framework. After the optimization in terms of stress, the displacement, strain and stress fields at the boundary of or inside the body can be known. The boundary element approximation is done with quadratic elements and with the calculation of the stress function's sensitivities, in the elastic field. Boundary discretization of the structural systems is a good alternative in front of the Finite Element Method and Finite Differences Method. Those methods require the complete remeshing of the object at each iteration, making the procedure computationally expensive and cumbersome. (author)