Optimization of nonlinear structural resonance using the incremental harmonic balance method

We present an optimization procedure for tailoring the nonlinear structural resonant response with time-harmonic loads. A nonlinear finite element method is used for modeling beam structures with a geometric nonlinearity and the incremental harmonic balance method is applied for accurate nonlinear vibration analysis. An optimization procedure based on a gradient-based algorithm is developed and we use the adjoint method for efficient computation of design sensitivities. We consider several examples in which we find optimized beam width distributions that minimize or maximize fundamental or super-harmonic resonant responses.