Topology Optimization of Continuum Structures with Many Subdomains

Bi-directional evolutionary topology optimization of continuum structures subjected to inertial loads

Topology optimization with meshless density variable approximations and BESO method

In order to solve the problem that the weight of large scale theodolite's casting or steel plate welded structure is too heavy, lightweight design of large scale turntable based on topology optimization of continuum structure is investigated. Topology optimization could have better optimization efficiency because it can provide the optimized distribution of material and gain optimized structure in conceptual design phase of the structural design. In order to obtain lightweight and high stiffness structure, a truss turntable based on topology optimization of continuum structure is presented, and the validity of this lightweight structure is examined by finite element analysis. Comparing to the traditional welding steel turntable, the lightweight turntable, without changing the static displacement, can lose 386.48 kg(lightweight ratio is 26.7%), and its first-order natural frequency raises from 167.02Hz to 173.71Hz. Meanwhile, in other aspects this turntable also has better performance than traditional structure.

Topology optimization is the procedure of determining the connectivity, shape and location of voids inside a given design domain. This chapter proposes a quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm (QEA) for structural topology optimization. It reviews the formulation of the continuum structural topology optimization model and the characteristics of quantum computing. The chapter also proposes the detailed implementation of a QEA-based topology optimization. It discusses two issues: the density-based continuum structural topology optimization formulation and the characteristics of quantum computing, which may be conducive to reducing the computational expense of topology optimization. The entire theoretical procedure of quantum-inspired topology optimization, which mainly combines FEM analysis, design sensitivity solution and quantum-inspired search, is accomplished for continuum structures. As the experimental implementation of quantum computation needs initialization, coherent manipulation, control and read of the fragile quantum system, practically building quantum computers has proved extremely difficult.

Topology optimization of continuum structures is a recent field in structural optimization. However, an increasing research activity in this area has been developed since the statement of the very first formulations. These formulations try to obtain the most adequate material distribution that satisfies the imposed structural limitations. The existence or absence of material in each part of the domain is usually defined by using a continuum variable (the relative density) in order to avoid dealing with a discrete optimization problem. This continuum approach of the material properties present important advantages since conventionaloptimization algorithms can be used. However, numerical models must be considered in order to develop the structural analysis for intermediate values of the relative densities. In this paper, we present some improvements in a minimum weight approach of the structural topology optimization problem. The main goal of this paper is to present an improved formulation that tries to reach binary 0-1 material distributions by using a continuum approach of the design variables. Furthermore, a perimeter penalization is included in the objective function to simplify the solutions obtained. In addition, some computational aspects are considered in order to reduce the computational effort. Finally, we compare the solutions obtained by using these formulations in two application examples.

Discrete ground structure topology optimization design methods have to date received considerable attention in structural engineering. An alternative class of structural topology optimization methods, which have not yet received much attention in structural engineering, but which have undergone considerable development in the past decade, are the so-called continuum formulations. In this work, a continuum structural topology optimization formulation is presented and applied to the concept design optimization of structural bracing systems that are needed to stiffen tall structures against sidesway under lateral-wind and seismic-type loading. Although demonstrated here in the context of these specific design examples, continuum structural topology optimization methods are believed to hold potential as a design tool for a wide range of civil engineering type structures. A variety of continuum topology design formulations, including static compliance minimization and eigenvalue optimization, are explored, and solution parameters are varied to show that a number of design possibilities can be realized as solutions.

This paper presents an adaptive continuation method for buckling topology optimization of continuum structures using the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) model. For optimization problems of minimizing structural compliance subject to constraints on material volume and buckling load factors, it has been found that the conflict between the requirements for structural stiffness and stability may have an adverse impact on the performance of existing optimization algorithms. An automatic scheme for adjusting the penalization parameter is introduced to deal with this conflict and thus achieves better designs. Based on an investigation on the effect of the penalization parameter on design evolution during the optimization process, a rule is established to determine the appropriate penalization parameter values. Using this rule, an effective scheme is developed for determining the penalization parameter values such that the buckling constraints are appropriately considered throughout the optimization process. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

There is a general interest to consider stress constraints in topology optimization of continuum structures. By their very nature stress constraints are local constraints which result in large scale optimization problems that are often expensive to solve. Here in order to reduce the computing effort we explore an alternative technique based on equivalent global (that is integrated) constraints. We define two global stress constraints based on the and of the e-relaxed overall stress criteria in the finite elements. We present a new formulation of the e-relaxation technique which is better suited to topology optimization of continuum structures and which makes the relaxation process automatic. The p-mean and p-norm functions bound by lower and upper value the maximum value of the e-relaxed overall stress criterion. Based on numerical experiments this study compares the global and the local constraint formulations. Even if the use of integrated constraints leads a reduction of the computing time by one or two orders of magnitude, they definitely give a weaker control of local stress level. This sometimes can lead to solutions that are a bit different.

We introduce an extension of current technologies for topology optimization of continuum structures which allows for treating local stress criteria. We first consider relevant stress criteria for porous composite materials, initially by studying the stress states of the so-called rank 2 layered materials. Then, on the basis of the theoretical study of the rank 2 microstructures, we propose an empirical model that extends the power penalized stiffness model (also called SIMP for Solid Isotropic Microstructure with Penalization for inter-mediate densities). In a second part, solution aspects of topology problems are considered. To deal with the so-called ‘singularity’ phenomenon of stress constraints in topology design, an ϵ-constraint relaxation of the stress constraints is used. We describe the mathematical programming approach that is used to solve the numerical optimization problems, and show results for a number of example applications. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Topology optimization is the process of determining the optimal layout of material and connectivity inside a design domain. This paper surveys topology optimization of continuum structures from the year 2000 to 2012. It focuses on new developments, improvements, and applications of finite element-based topology optimization, which include a maturation of classical methods, a broadening in the scope of the field, and the introduction of new methods for multiphysics problems. Four different types of topology optimization are reviewed: (1) density-based methods, which include the popular Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) technique, (2) hard-kill methods, including Evolutionary Structural Optimization (ESO), (3) boundary variation methods (level set and phase field), and (4) a new biologically inspired method based on cellular division rules. We hope that this survey will provide an update of the recent advances and novel applications of popular methods, provide exposure to lesser known, yet promising, techniques, and serve as a resource for those new to the field. The presentation of each method's focuses on new developments and novel applications.

It is of great importance for the development of new products to find the best possible topology or layout for given design objectives and constraints at a very early stage of the design process (the conceptual and project definition phase). Thus, over the last decade, substantial efforts of fundamental research have been devoted to the development of efficient and reliable procedures for solution of such problems. During this period, the researchers have been mainly occupied with two different kinds of topology design processes; the Material or Microstructure Technique and the Geometrical or Macrostructure Technique. It is the objective of this review paper to present an overview of the developments within these two types of techniques with special emphasis on optimum topology and layout design of linearly elastic 2D and 3D continuum structures. Starting from the mathematical-physical concepts of topology and layout optimization, several methods are presented and the applicability is illustrated by a number of examples. New areas of application of topology optimization are discussed at the end of the article. This review article includes 425 references.

Bone is a dynamic living tissue that undergoes continuous adaptation of its mass and structure in response to mechanical and biological environment demands. In this paper, we firstly propose a mathematical model based on cross-type reaction diffusion equations of bone adaptation during a remodeling cycle due to mechanical stimulus. The model captures qualitatively very well the bone adaptation and cell interactions during the bone remodeling. Secondly assuming the bone structure to be a self-optimizing biological material which maximizes its own structural stiffness, bone remodeling model coupled with finite element method by using the add and remove element a new topology optimization of continuum structure is presented. Two Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed approach greatly improves numerical efficiency, compared with the others well known methods for structural topology optimization in open literatures.

By assuming that the random parameters of a continuum structure obey the normal distribution, this paper utilized “normrnd” function in Matlab software to generate pseudo random numbers, analyzed structural stress by using finite element method, conducted topology optimization by using k nearest neighbor (KNN) method, and as such, the continuum structure has been stochastic topology optimized. The paper put forward the concept of “stochastic topology optimization”. Numerical examples are given. The results show that the stochastic topology optimization of continuum structure with random parameters is necessary.

This work proposes an improved topology optimization model for optimizing continuum structures with self-weight loading conditions. A modified Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) model is proposed to avoid the parasitic effect. At the same time, the penalty factor of the SIMP model is increased to maintain the activeness of the prescribed volume constraint and to drive the design domain to binary distribution. The optimization objectives include minimizing the total strain energy of the design domain and minimizing the total displacement of the fixed domain. The shape optimization procedure is used to furtherly enhance structural performance. The whole optimization procedure is implemented with a two-dimensional model under the loading conditions of self-weight and external force. The classic MBB beam and self-weight arch are utilized to verify the proposed method, and conceptual layout designs of the steel structure bridge are conducted. It is proved that the proposed model is effective for topology optimization of continuum structures including self-weight. And it is found that the optimal structural topology is affected by the ratio of the external force to self-weight.

A critical analysis of expected-compliance model in volume-constrained robust topology optimization with normally distributed loading directions, using a minimax-compliance approach alternatively