The coupling of geometric descriptions and finite elements using NURBs - A study in shape optimization (Q1328688)

This paper presents a geometry based approach for coupling CAD with finite element methods. Nonuniform rational \(B\)-splines (NURBs), known from computer aided geometric design, are used to describe the shape of a structure. NURB curves and surfaces and Gordon surfaces defined by NURB curves are introduced for design description. These geometries are used directly for the mapping of finite elements and for parametrization for the optimization of the structural shape. The cross-sectional torsion problem is employed to demonstrate the proposed mapping techniques for finite elements.