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Analysis of institutional authors

Pena, Jose M.Corresponding AuthorLatorre, AntonioAuthor

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May 21, 2019
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SoftFEM: The Soft Finite Element Method

Publicated to: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING. 118 (10): 606-630 - 2019-06-08 118(10), DOI: 10.1002/nme.6029

Authors:

Peña, JM; LaTorre, A; Jérusalem, A
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Affiliations

Univ Oxford, Dept Engn Sci - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Ctr Computat Simulat, Campus Montegancedo - Author

Abstract

While the finite element method (FEM) has now reached full maturity both in academy and industry, its use in optimization pipelines remains either computationally intensive or cumbersome. In particular, currently used optimization schemes leveraging FEM still require the choice of dedicated optimization algorithms for a specific design problem, and a black box approach to FEM-based optimization remains elusive. To this end, we propose here an integrated finite element-soft computing method, ie, the soft FEM (SoftFEM), which integrates a finite element solver within a metaheuristic search wrapper. To illustrate this general method, we focus here on solid mechanics problems. For these problems, SoftFEM is able to optimize geometry changes and mechanistic measures based on geometry constraints and material properties inputs. From the optimization perspective, the use of a fitness function based on finite element calculation imposes a series of challenges. To bypass the limitations in search capabilities of the usual optimization techniques (local search and gradient-based methods), we propose, instead a hybrid self adaptive search technique, the multiple offspring sampling (MOS), combining two metaheuristics methods: one population-based differential evolution method and a local search optimizer. The formulation coupling FEM to the optimization wrapper is presented in detail and its flexibility is illustrated with three representative solid mechanics problems. More particularly, we propose here the MOS as the most versatile search algorithm for SoftFEM. A new method for the identification of nonfully determined parameters is also proposed.
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Keywords

AlgorithmDesignDifferential evolutionFinite element methodHeuristic optimizationLaminated composite platesMetaheuristicsShape optimizationSoft computingSoftfemSolid mechanicsTopology

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2019, it was in position 21/106, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-11:

  • WoS: 7
  • Scopus: 8
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-11:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 18.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 18 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 1.
  • The number of mentions on the social network Facebook: 2 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/66986/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 357
  • Downloads: 121
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: United Kingdom.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (PEÑA SANCHEZ, JOSE MARIA) .

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been PEÑA SANCHEZ, JOSE MARIA.

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Awards linked to the item

Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Grant/Award Number: TIN2017-83132-C2-2-R; Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Grant/Award Number: PINV-18-XEOGHQ-19-4QTEBP
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