Abstract
Topology optimization is a widely-used technique for finding the most favorable, internal structural lay-out with a minimal weight under the specific loading and boundary conditions applied[1,2]. Accordingly, within a finite element setting this technique searches for the optimal relative density of a fixed, discretized spatial domain representing the actual structure. To enable more diversity within the design domain and to enlarge the search space of optimal structural configurations, in the present work a coupled method for topology optimization and shape optimization is proposed. The method incorporates the shape design variables into a SIMP (Simplified Isotropic Material with Penalization) topology optimization formulation, whereby the shape and topology optimization steps are performed in a sequential manner. The computational efficiency of the method is warranted by using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) for describing the outer shape of the design domain, and by combining gradient-based optimization solvers with analytically derived shape and topology sensitivities. The coupled method has been implemented in a finite element framework to analyze 2D, 2.5D, and 3D structural design problems. The results of representative case studies clearly show that the features of the design domain can have a large influence on the final topology calculated. Additionally, the optimization sequence in the coupled method may affect the path followed within the design space; however, this typically only has a minor effect on the final computational result.
[1] Bendsøe, M.P., Sigmund, O. (2004). Topology optimization by distribution of isotropic Material. In Topology Optimization (pp. 1-69). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
[2] Sigmund, O., Maute, K. (2013). Topology optimization approaches. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 48(6), 1031-1055.
[1] Bendsøe, M.P., Sigmund, O. (2004). Topology optimization by distribution of isotropic Material. In Topology Optimization (pp. 1-69). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
[2] Sigmund, O., Maute, K. (2013). Topology optimization approaches. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 48(6), 1031-1055.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 25 Jul 2018 |
Event | 13th World Congress on Computational Mechanics - New York Marriott Marquis, New York, United States Duration: 22 Jul 2018 → 27 Jul 2018 Conference number: 13th http://www.wccm2018.org/ |
Conference
Conference | 13th World Congress on Computational Mechanics |
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Abbreviated title | WCCM |
Country/Territory | United States |
City | New York |
Period | 22/07/18 → 27/07/18 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- Structural design
- Shape optimization
- Topology optimization
- Coupled model