Table Computation Program: Users Manual

This documents investigates the utilization of the force method of finite element analysis for the automatic iteractive design of aircraft structures with stress, displaements, maximum and minimum size and dynamic constraints. It develops a rapid reanalysis method based on the force method for damage assessment. Research has resulted in a computer code named OPTFORCE II an expansion of code OPTFORCE I. Multiple loading capabilities and four finite elements have been included. These are: membrane triangle, membrane quadrilateral, shear panel and bar (axial force). Examples of problems solved by the OPTFORCE II code are presented and compared to the optimization code OPTIM III for purposes of establishing the efficiency of the force method vs. the displacement method of analysis. A technical discussion of the research conducted is presented wherein conclusions and recommendations for future research topics are given.