Study of modular design method for frame structure utilizing Design Structure Matrix (Modular decomposition structure considering with a mechanical state and consideration of its mechanical performances)

Abstract

Since mechanical performances of the connecting part in the frame structure generally deteriorate, the mechanical performances may also deteriorate in the connecting part between the modules. If the design target is based on the existing parts, the boundaries divided into modules are naturally limited to the boundaries of the existing parts. In order to extract appropriate module boundaries, we propose a method using elements of finite element analysis which are smaller units than existing parts. In this study, we propose a modular design method of frame structure that suppresses the decrease of mechanical performances by using DSM (Design Structure Matrix) analysis. In DSM construction, not only the connection information of parts but also the von mises stress or strain energy indicating the mechanical state is added to the DSM, so that the module boundaries are not generated in that area with high mechanical loads. As a result, we showed that the mechanical performances of the modular structure extracted by adding the mechanical indicators are improved compared to the modular structure extracted only by the connection information of the parts.

Keywords

• modular design
• design structure matrix
• clustering
• frame structure
• computer aided engineering