OptiStruct provides a unique three-step process for laminate composites design and optimization that delivers optimal ply shapes, number of plies, and ply stacking sequence. The process observes composite manufacturing constraints, including ply drop-off, for faster ply-based design. Additive manufacturing (AM) methods are well suited to topology optimization and Optistruct provides AM specific manufacturing constraints. When extreme lightweight, thermal performance, or biomedical applications require lattice structures, OptiStruct provides a unique solution for their design based on topology optimization.

OptiStruct solves a comprehensive range of nonlinear problems using both implicit and explicit methods that includes simulation of small and large displacements, material nonlinearity, and advanced contacts. It uses a modern solver implementation that delivers the functionality that customers of traditional nonlinear implicit codes expect. OptiStruct models the nonlinear elasticity of rubber and other hyperelastic materials, in addition to elasto-plastic, gasket, viscoelastic, creep, and user-defined materials. Friction in sliding contacts, frequency-dependent, and poro-elastic material properties are also supported. Preload buckling, post buckling static, and transient analysis using nonlinear results with OptiStruct streamline workflows by analyzing and optimizing attributes from multiple disciplines (strength, vibration, fatigue) using a single model.

OptiStruct has the capability to solve both the thermal and mechanical physics in a single simulation including a one-step transient thermal stress analysis. Engineers can understand how parts behave under real world conditions whether they need linear or nonlinear steady-state, linear transient analysis, or contact-based thermal analysis. OptiStruct also provides kinematics and dynamics solutions with loads extraction and effort estimation with an equivalent static load method (ESLM) allowing optimization of system level multi-body dynamic models with simultaneous optimization of flexible and rigid bodies. Coupled fluid-structure (vibro-acoustics) analysis and coupled thermo-mechanical analysis further expand detailed simulation capabilities. OptiStruct in a capacity of structural solver interacts with Altair CFD solvers for practical FSI, thermal FSI and direct coupling FSI which are uni-directional or bi-directional coupling. Similarly, OptiStruct couples in uni-directionally with electromagnetic solvers including Altair® Flux® and Altair® Feko®.