Independent continuous mapping for topological optimization of frame structures

Based on the Independent Continuous Mapping method （ICM）, a topological optimization model with continuous topological variables is built by introducing three filter functions for element weight, element allowable stress and element stiffness, which transform the 0-1 type discrete topological variables into continuous topological variables between 0 and 1. Two methods for the filter functions are adopted to avoid the structural singularity and recover falsely deleted elements： the weak material element method and the tiny section element method. Three criteria （no structural singularity, no violated constraints and no change of structural weight） are introduced to judge iteration convergence. These criteria allow finding an appropriate threshold by adjusting a discount factor in the iteration procedure. To improve the efficiency, the original optimization model is transformed into a dual problem according to the dual theory and solved in its dual space. By using MSC/Nastran as the structural solver and MSC/Patran as the developing platform, a topological optimization software of frame structures is accomplished. Numerical examples show that the ICM method is very efficient for the topological optimization of frame structures.

Topology optimization of continuum structures considering damage based on independent continuous mapping method

A continuum topology optimization usually produces results similar to a skeleton structure. In addition, the material utilization in the optimized structure is greatly improved compared with the original structure. On the other hand, the redundancy of the structure is greatly reduced due to the removed material. A partial local failure in the optimized structure makes it more difficult for the entire structure to meet the strength/stiffness requirements. By using the independent continuous mapping (ICM) method, with minimal weight as the objective and both stress and displacement as the respective constraints, the continuum topology optimization models can be employed, which also consider damage. A dual-sequence quadratic programming (DSQP) algorithm is used to solve the topology optimization models. Numerical examples confirm the effectiveness and feasibility of the models. The results indicate that both a good load-path and weight reduction can be obtained. In addition, compared with the structure obtained using conventional topology optimization, redundancy is improved greatly, and the strength/stiffness requirements for the structure can be satisfied for each damage scenario. Furthermore, the results indicate that the strength/stiffness of the structure, after topology optimization, is slightly sensitive for local damage.

Fatigue Topology Optimization Design Based on Distortion Energy Theory and Independent Continuous Mapping Method

Fatigue failure is a common failure mode under the action of cyclic loads in engineering applications,which often occurs with no obvious signal.The maximum structural stress is far below the allowable stress when the structures are damaged.Aiming at the lightweight structure,fatigue topology optimization design is investigated to avoid the occurrence of fatigue failure in the structural conceptual design beforehand.Firstly,the fatigue life is expressed by topology variables and the fatigue life filter function.The continuum fatigue optimization model is established with the independent continuous mapping(ICM)method.Secondly,fatigue life constraints are transformed to distortion energy constraints explicitly by taking advantage of the distortion energy theory.Thirdly,the optimization formulation is solved by the dual sequence quadratic programming(DSQP).And the design scheme of lightweight structure considering the fatigue characteristics is obtained.Finally,numerical examples illustrate the practicality and effectiveness of the fatigue optimization method.This method further expands the theoretical application of the ICM method and provides a novel approach for the fatigue optimization problem.

结构拓扑优化ICM法中高效率收敛映射函数MFHEC的选取

本文把ICM方法中的过滤函数和变密度方法中的惩罚函数统称为映射函数,研究了该函数的选取问题,探讨了其选取对于结构拓扑优化优化迭代收敛效率的影响.为此,本文提出了高效率收敛的映射函数构造途径,写出了5类常见的具体映射函数形式,提出同高效率收敛映射函数MFHEC(Mapping function with highly efficient convergence)相配套的优化模型和寻优解法,先是自行比较了同类映射函数的过滤函数和准过滤函数寻优中收敛的快慢,然后相互比较了不同形式映射函数的快滤函数寻优收敛的快慢.以ICM方法求解位移约束下结构体积极小的拓扑优化问题为例,通过数值计算比较,印证了MFHEC函数的高效率收敛性.结果表明:同类函数比较中,快滤函数的收敛速度更快;5种不同类型映射函数比较中,幂函数形式的过滤函数收敛速度更快.最后需要强调的是:本文研究的映射函数的结论,包括ICM方法的过滤函数和变密度方法中的惩罚函数,二者都是同样适用的.

K-S函数集成局部性能约束的结构拓扑优化二阶逼近解法

应用K-S(Kreisselmeier-Steinhauser)函数,对结构拓扑优化问题中的局部性能如应力、疲劳寿命等进行集成然后求解.首先针对互逆规划的单目标多约束模型(称为s方模型)及多目标单约束模型(称为m方模型),应用结构拓扑优化ICM方法,分别建立了基于K-S函数集成处理的优化模型,推导了集成化的约束(对s方模型)或目标(对m方模型)函数的一阶及二阶导数,采用序列二次规划模型对所建立的优化模型进行迭代求解,依据K-T条件给出了二次规划模型的迭代求解公式.然后基于K-S函数阐述了s方模型的集成迭代解法,亦即集成方法.最后,阐述了基于K-S函数的s方模型和m方模型交替融合的迭代解法,亦即集成-集成方法.结果表明集成-集成方法比单纯的集成方法收敛更快.

Lightweight Topology Optimization with Buckling and Frequency Constraints Using the Independent Continuous Mapping Method

This research focuses on the lightweight topology optimization method for structures under the premise of meeting the requirements of stability and vibration characteristics. A new topology optimization model with the constraints of natural frequencies and critical buckling loads and the objective of minimizing the structural volume is established and solved based on the independent continuous mapping method. The eigenvalue equations and composite exponential filter functions are applied to convert the optimization formulation into a continuous, solvable mathematical programming model. In the process of topology optimization, suitable initial values of the filter functions are chosen to avoid local modes, and the dynamic frequency gap constraints are added in the optimal model to prevent mode switches. Furthermore, for the optimal structures with grey elements obtained by the continuous optimization model, the bisection-inverse iteration is applied to search the optimal discrete structures. Finally, a detailed scheme is given for the buckling and frequency topology optimization problem. Numerical examples illustrate that the modelling method of minimizing the economic index with given performance requirements is practical and feasible for multi-performance topology optimization problems.

Topology Optimization for Design of Hybrid Lattice Structures with Multiple Microstructure Configurations

Hybrid lattice structures consisting of multiple microstructures have drawn much attention due to their excellent performance and extraordinary designability.This work puts forward a novel design scheme of lightweight hybrid lattice structures based on independent continuous mapping(ICM)method.First,the effective elastic properties of various microstructure configurations serve as a bridge between the macrostructure and the multiple microstructures by the homogenization theory.Second,a concurrent topology optimization model for seeking optimized macroscale topology and the specified microstructures is established and solved by a generalized multi-material interpolation formulation and sensitivity analysis.Third,several numerical examples show that hybrid lattice structures with different anisotropic configurations accomplish a better lightweight effect than those with various orthogonal configurations,which verifies the feasibility of the presented method.Hence,anisotropic configurations are more conducive to the sufficient utilization of constitutive material.The proposed scheme supplies a reference for the design of hybrid lattice structures and extends the application field of the ICM method.