Patent ID: 8924187

Claim:
A computer-implemented method to determine optimum cross-section dimensions values of a thin wall profile member (TPM) from a weight-optimization perspective, the TPM having at least one main strip and having at least one additional strip with a free reinforcing rib, the computer-implemented method comprising: identifying a set of TPM cross-section dimensions ratio values including c/b and δ c /δ b , where c/b is the ratio of a width c of the at least one additional strip with a free reinforcing rib to a width b of the at least one main strip and satisfies the requirement that c/b falls in a range of values between 0.05 and 0.3, and where δ c /δ b is the ratio of a thickness δ c of the at least one additional strip with a free reinforcing rib to a thickness δ b of the at least one main strip and satisfies the requirement that δ c /δ b falls in a range of values between 1.0 and 3.0; and performing computational analysis on a set of inter-dependent parameters, including the identified set of TPM cross-section dimensions ratio values, to calculate optimum cross-section dimensions values of the TPM.