# CONTEXT.md — Hydrotech Beam Structural Optimization

## Client
Hydrotech (internal test fixture)

## Objective
Minimize beam mass while reducing tip displacement and keeping stress within limits. Multi-objective: lighter, stiffer, safe.

## Key Parameters
| Parameter | Current | Range | Units | Notes |
|-----------|---------|-------|-------|-------|
| beam_half_core_thickness | 20 | 10–40 | mm | Core half-thickness |
| beam_face_thickness | 20 | 10–40 | mm | Face sheet thickness |
| holes_diameter | 300 | 150–450 | mm | Lightening hole diameter |
| hole_count | 10 | 5–15 | integer | Number of lightening holes |

## Constraints
- Max tip displacement: < 10 mm
- Max von Mises stress: < ~130 MPa (steel, conservative)
- Mass tracked via NX expression `p173`

## Objectives
- Minimize mass (currently ~974 kg — way too heavy)
- Minimize tip displacement (currently ~22 mm, target < 10 mm)
- Keep stress reasonable (steel, margin exists)

## Baseline Performance
- Mass: ~974 kg
- Tip displacement: ~22 mm
- Material: Steel (AISI)

## Model
- NX Part: `Beam.prt`
- FEM: `Beam_fem1.fem`
- Idealized part: `Beam_fem1_i.prt`
- Simulation: `Beam_sim1.sim`
- Solver: NX Nastran (static structural)
- Analysis: Static structural

## Decisions
- 2026-02-08: Project received from Antoine

## Status
Phase: Intake
Channel: #project-hydrotech-beam