Based on expert system theory and fluid-structure interaction (FSI), this paper suggests an intelligent design optimization system to derive the optimal shape of both the fluid and solid domain of flow channels. A parametric modeling scheme of flow channels is developed by design for additive manufacturing (DfAM). By changing design parameters, a series of flow channel models can be obtained. According to the design characteristics, the system can intelligently allocate suitable computational models to compute the flow field of a specific model. The pressure-based normal stress is abstracted from the results and transmitted to the solid region by the fluid-structure (FS) interface to analyze the strength of the structure. The design space is obtained by investigating the simulation results with the metamodeling method, which is further applied for pursuing design objectives under constraints. Finally, the improved design is derived by gradient-based optimization. This system can improve the accuracy of the FSI simulation and the efficiency of the optimization process. The design optimization of a flow channel in a simplified hydraulic manifold is applied as the case study to validate the feasibility of the proposed system.
Keywords: additive manufacturing; design optimization; expert system; flow channel; fluid–structure interaction.