ICM method for topology optimization of multimaterial continuum structure with displacement constraint

A new topology optimization method is formulated for lightweight design of multimaterial structures, using the independent continuous mapping (ICM) method to minimize the weight with a prescribed nodal displacement constraint. Two types of independent topological variable are used to identify the presence of elements and select the material for each phase, to realize the interpolations of the element stiffness matrix and total weight. Furthermore, an explicit expression for the optimized formulation is derived, using approximations of the displacement and weight given by first- and second-order Taylor expansions. The optimization problem is thereby transformed into a standard quadratic programming problem that can be solved using a sequential quadratic programming approach. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed multimaterial topology optimization method are demonstrated by determining the best load transfer path for four numerical examples. The results reveal that the topologically optimized configuration of the multimaterial structure varies with the material properties, load conditions, and constraint. Firstly, the weight of the optimized multimaterial structure is found to be lower than that composed of a single material. Secondly, under the precondition of a displacement constraint, the weight of the topologically optimized multimaterial structure decreases as the displacement constraint value is increased. Finally, the topologically optimized multimaterial structures differ depending on the elastic modulus of the materials. Besides, the established optimization formulation is more reliable and suitable for use in practical engineering applications with structural performance parameters as constraint.

Plate/shell structure topology optimization of orthotropic material for buckling problem based on independent continuous topological variables

The purpose of the present work is to study the buckling problem with plate/shell topology optimization of orthotropic material. A model of buckling topology optimization is established based on the independent, continuous, and mapping method, which considers structural mass as objective and buckling critical loads as constraints. Firstly, composite exponential function (CEF) and power function (PF) as filter functions are introduced to recognize the element mass, the element stiffness matrix, and the element geometric stiffness matrix. The filter functions of the orthotropic material stiffness are deduced. Then these filter functions are put into buckling topology optimization of a differential equation to analyze the design sensitivity. Furthermore, the buckling constraints are approximately expressed as explicit functions with respect to the design variables based on the first-order Taylor expansion. The objective function is standardized based on the second-order Taylor expansion. Therefore, the optimization model is translated into a quadratic program. Finally, the dual sequence quadratic programming (DSQP) algorithm and the global convergence method of moving asymptotes algorithm with two different filter functions (CEF and PF) are applied to solve the optimal model. Three numerical results show that DSQP&CEF has the best performance in the view of structural mass and discretion.

Plate/shell topological optimization subjected to linear buckling constraints by adopting composite exponential filtering function

In this paper, a model of topology optimization with linear buckling constraints is established based on an independent and continuous mapping method to minimize the plate/shell structure weight. A composite exponential function（CEF） is selected as filtering functions for element weight, the element stiffness matrix and the element geometric stiffness matrix, which recognize the design variables, and to implement the changing process of design variables from“discrete” to “continuous” and back to “discrete”. The buckling constraints are approximated as explicit formulations based on the Taylor expansion and the filtering function. The optimization model is transformed to dual programming and solved by the dual sequence quadratic programming algorithm. Finally, three numerical examples with power function and CEF as filter function are analyzed and discussed to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method.

Geometrically Nonlinear Topology Optimization of Continuum Structures Based on an Independent Continuous Mapping Method

A geometrically nonlinear topology optimization method for continuum structures is proposed based on the independent continuous mapping method.The stress constraint problem is studied due to the importance of structural strength in engineering applications.First,a topology optimization model is established for a lightweight structure with element stress as constraints.Second,the stress globalization method is adopted to convert local stress constraints into strain energy constraints,which overcomes the difficulties caused by local stress constraints,such as model establishment,sensitivity analysis,and massive solution calculations.Third,the sensitivity of the objective function and constraint function is analyzed,and the method of moving asymptotes is employed to solve the optimization model.In addition,the additive hyperelasticity technique is utilized to solve the numerical instability induced by structures undergoing large deformation.Numerical examples are given to validate the feasibility of the proposed method.The method provides a significant reference for geometrically nonlinear optimization design.