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Load Path Analysis for Structural Design and Optimization: A Brief Review.

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Title: Load Path Analysis for Structural Design and Optimization: A Brief Review.
Authors: Zhao, Shengjie, Xiao, Yu, Wu, Nan
Source: Journal of Applied & Computational Mechanics; Spring2026, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p594-606, 13p
Subject Terms: Structural design, Structural analysis (Engineering), Stiffness (Engineering), Structural mechanics, Mathematical optimization, Composite materials, Finite element method
Abstract: It is critical to understand how the internal force is transferred in a mechanical system to design an efficient load-bearing structure. Thanks to the advances in finite element analysis (FEA), several load path analysis approaches have been developed to study the internal load transfer. In this brief review, the theoretical backgrounds of four different load path methods reported in the aerospace and automotive industries are overviewed. These methods can be categorized into stress-based methods and stiffnessbased methods. Next, the recent improvements and applications of each method are investigated. It is found that stress-based methods are helpful in optimizing local structural members, such as reinforced fiber arrangement in composites, whereas stiffnessbased methods provide meaningful insights into the structural performance from the macroscopic view. Finally, a comparison summary of these methods is provided. Recommended future work and potential applications are also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Applied & Computational Mechanics is the property of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Load Path Analysis for Structural Design and Optimization: A Brief Review.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhao%2C+Shengjie%22">Zhao, Shengjie</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Xiao%2C+Yu%22">Xiao, Yu</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wu%2C+Nan%22">Wu, Nan</searchLink>
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  Data: Journal of Applied & Computational Mechanics; Spring2026, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p594-606, 13p
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+design%22">Structural design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+analysis+%28Engineering%29%22">Structural analysis (Engineering)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Stiffness+%28Engineering%29%22">Stiffness (Engineering)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+mechanics%22">Structural mechanics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematical+optimization%22">Mathematical optimization</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Composite+materials%22">Composite materials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Finite+element+method%22">Finite element method</searchLink>
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  Data: It is critical to understand how the internal force is transferred in a mechanical system to design an efficient load-bearing structure. Thanks to the advances in finite element analysis (FEA), several load path analysis approaches have been developed to study the internal load transfer. In this brief review, the theoretical backgrounds of four different load path methods reported in the aerospace and automotive industries are overviewed. These methods can be categorized into stress-based methods and stiffnessbased methods. Next, the recent improvements and applications of each method are investigated. It is found that stress-based methods are helpful in optimizing local structural members, such as reinforced fiber arrangement in composites, whereas stiffnessbased methods provide meaningful insights into the structural performance from the macroscopic view. Finally, a comparison summary of these methods is provided. Recommended future work and potential applications are also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: Abstract
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Applied & Computational Mechanics is the property of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.22055/jacm.2025.48402.5207
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 13
        StartPage: 594
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      – SubjectFull: Structural design
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Structural analysis (Engineering)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Stiffness (Engineering)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Structural mechanics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematical optimization
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Composite materials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Finite element method
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      – TitleFull: Load Path Analysis for Structural Design and Optimization: A Brief Review.
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            NameFull: Zhao, Shengjie
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            – D: 01
              M: 04
              Text: Spring2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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