A Modified Bi-Directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization Procedure with Variable Evolutionary Volume Ratio Applied to Multi-Objective Topology Optimization Problem

Natural frequency and dynamic stiffness under transient loading are two key performances for structural design related to automotive,aviation and construction industries.This article aims to tackle the multi-objective topological optimization problem considering dynamic stiffness and natural frequency using modified version of bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization(BESO).The conventional BESO is provided with constant evolutionary volume ratio(EVR),whereas low EVR greatly retards the optimization process and high EVR improperly removes the efficient elements.To address the issue,the modified BESO with variable EVR is introduced.To compromise the natural frequency and the dynamic stiffness,a weighting scheme of sensitivity numbers is employed to form the Pareto solution space.Several numerical examples demonstrate that the optimal solutions obtained from the modified BESO method have good agreement with those from the classic BESO method.Most importantly,the dynamic removal strategy with the variable EVR sharply springs up the optimization process.Therefore,it is concluded that the modified BESO method with variable EVR can solve structural design problems using multi-objective optimization.

Stress Relaxation and Sensitivity Weight for Bi-Directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization to Improve the Computational Efficiency and Stabilization on Stress-Based Topology Optimization

Stress-based topology optimization is one of the most concerns of structural optimization and receives much attention in a wide range of engineering designs.To solve the inherent issues of stress-based topology optimization,many schemes are added to the conventional bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization(BESO)method in the previous studies.However,these schemes degrade the generality of BESO and increase the computational cost.This study proposes an improved topology optimization method for the continuum structures considering stress minimization in the framework of the conventional BESO method.A global stress measure constructed by p-norm function is treated as the objective function.To stabilize the optimization process,both qp-relaxation and sensitivity weight scheme are introduced.Design variables are updated by the conventional BESO method.Several 2D and 3D examples are used to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.The results show that the optimization process can be stabilized by qp-relaxation.The value of q and p are crucial to reasonable solutions.The proposed sensitivity weight scheme further stabilizes the optimization process and evenly distributes the stress field.The computational efficiency of the proposed method is higher than the previous methods because it keeps the generality of BESO and does not need additional schemes.

A Smooth Bidirectional Evolutionary Structural Optimization of Vibrational Structures for Natural Frequency and Dynamic Compliance

A smooth bidirectional evolutionary structural optimization(SBESO),as a bidirectional version of SESO is proposed to solve the topological optimization of vibrating continuum structures for natural frequencies and dynamic compliance under the transient load.A weighted function is introduced to regulate the mass and stiffness matrix of an element,which has the inefficient element gradually removed from the design domain as if it were undergoing damage.Aiming at maximizing the natural frequency of a structure,the frequency optimization formulation is proposed using the SBESO technique.The effects of various weight functions including constant,linear and sine functions on structural optimization are compared.With the equivalent static load(ESL)method,the dynamic stiffness optimization of a structure is formulated by the SBESO technique.Numerical examples show that compared with the classic BESO method,the SBESO method can efficiently suppress the excessive element deletion by adjusting the element deletion rate and weight function.It is also found that the proposed SBESO technique can obtain an efficient configuration and smooth boundary and demonstrate the advantages over the classic BESO technique.

Structural Topology Optimization by Combining BESO with Reinforcement Learning

In this paper,a new algorithm combining the features of bi-direction evolutionary structural optimization(BESO)and reinforcement learning(RL)is proposed for continuum structural topology optimization(STO).In contrast to conventional approaches which only generate a certain quasi-optimal solution,the goal of the combined method is to provide more quasi-optimal solutions for designers such as the idea of generative design.Two key components were adopted.First,besides sensitivity,value function updated by Monte-Carlo reinforcement learning was utilized to measure the importance of each element,which made the solving process convergent and closer to the optimum.Second,ε-greedy policy added a random perturbation to the main search direction so as to extend the search ability.Finally,the quality and diversity of solutions could be guaranteed by controlling the value of compliance as well as Intersection-over-Union(IoU).Results of several 2D and 3D compliance minimization problems,including a geometrically nonlinear case,show that the combined method is capable of generating a group of good and different solutions that satisfy various possible requirements in engineering design within acceptable computation cost.

Structural Optimization of Hatch Cover Based on Bi-directional Evolutionary Structure Optimization and Surrogate Model Method

Weight reduction has attracted much attention among ship designers and ship owners.In the present work,based on an improved bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization(BESO) method and surrogate model method,we propose a hybrid optimization method for the structural design optimization of beam-plate structures,which covers three optimization levels:dimension optimization,topology optimization and section optimization.The objective of the proposed optimization method is to minimize the weight of design object under a group of constraints.The kernel optimization procedure(KOP) uses BESO to obtain the optimal topology from a ground structure.To deal with beam-plate structures,the traditional BESO method is improved by using cubic box as the unit cell instead of solid unit to construct periodic lattice structure.In the first optimization level,a series of ground structures are generated based on different dimensional parameter combinations,the KOP is performed to all the ground structures,the response surface model of optimal objective values and dimension parameters is created,and then the optimal dimension parameters can be obtained.In the second optimization level,the optimal topology is obtained by using the KOP according to the optimal dimension parameters.In the third optimization level,response surface method(RSM) is used to determine the section parameters.The proposed method is applied to a hatch cover structure design.The locations and shapes of all the structural members are determined from an oversized ground structure.The results show that the proposed method leads to a greater weight saving,compared with the original design and genetic algorithm(GA) based optimization results.

Topology Optimization in Damping Structure Based on ESO

The damping material optimal placement for the structure with damping layer is studied based on evolutionary structural optimization (ESO) to maximize modal loss factors. A mathematical model is constructed with the objective function defined as the maximum of modal loss factors of the structure and design constraints function defined as volume fraction of damping material. The optimal placement is found. Several examples are presented for verification. The results demonstrate that the method based on ESO is effective in solving the topology optimization of the structure with unconstrained damping layer and constrained damping layer. This optimization method suits for free and constrained damping structures.

声子晶体能带结构仿真的CS-FEM方法及其在拓扑优化设计中的应用

针对声子晶体拓扑优化设计时能带结构和灵敏度计算效率低的缺陷,构造了一种Cell-based光滑有限元法模型(CS-FEM),并结合双向渐进结构优化法(BESO)实现了声子晶体的带隙最大化设计。基于四边形单元构造光滑子域,将梯度光滑技术与Bloch定理结合,构建了声子晶体能带结构计算的CS-FEM数值模型,并将其用于正问题的仿真模拟。在渐进优化准则下,通过BESO算法完成了声子晶体的优化设计。数值算例表明:CS-FEM能够适当软化离散系统的刚度,提供更加准确、高效的能带结构仿真结果;基于CS-FEM进行正问题的计算,在优化设计中得到了最优的拓扑构型,并有效地提高了优化效率,对于实现声子晶体的高效设计具有重要的参考价值。

基于双向渐进结构优化算法的预制拼装箱梁剪力键设计研究

为研究单项和多项荷载组合作用下节段预制拼装箱梁接缝处剪力键受力状况,以郑州南四环全预制装配高架桥为背景,采用Abaqus软件和双向渐进结构优化(BESO)算法,建立典型箱梁节段分析模型,研究剪力键在单位轴力、剪力、扭矩、弯矩和不同荷载组合作用下的布置规律。结果表明:轴力作用时剪力键应布置于顶板;剪力作用时剪力键应布置于腹板和底板;扭矩作用时剪力键应布置在顶板、腹板交接处和腹板外侧;横桥向弯矩作用时剪力键应布置于顶板、腹板下侧和底板;竖向弯矩作用时,剪力键应布置于顶板翼缘。轴剪组合作用下,当剪力占比小于50%时,轴力对剪力键布置起控制作用;当剪力占比达95.24%时,剪力对剪力键布置起控制作用。弯剪组合作用下,当剪力占比超过4.76%时,剪力对剪力键布置起控制作用;当剪力占比小于0.50%时,横桥向弯矩对剪力键布置起控制作用。扭剪组合作用下,当剪力占比超过0.10%时,剪力对剪力键布置起控制作用。预制拼装箱梁剪力键布置受荷载类型及荷载组合影响显著,应考虑不同位置剪力键的实际受力状况进行设计。

Layout optimization of steel reinforcement in concrete structure using a truss-continuum model

Owing to advancement in advanced manufacturing technology,the reinforcement design of concrete structures has become an important topic in structural engineering.Based on bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization(BESO),a new approach is developed in this study to optimize the reinforcement layout in steel-reinforced concrete(SRC)structures.This approach combines a minimum compliance objective function with a hybrid trusscontinuum model.Furthermore,a modified bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization(M-BESO)method is proposed to control the level of tensile stress in concrete.To fully utilize the tensile strength of steel and the compressive strength of concrete,the optimization sensitivity of steel in a concrete–steel composite is integrated with the average normal stress of a neighboring concrete.To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedures,reinforcement layout optimizations of a simply supported beam,a corbel,and a wall with a window are conducted.Clear steel trajectories of SRC structures can be obtained using both methods.The area of critical tensile stress in concrete yielded by the M-BESO is more than 40%lower than that yielded by the uniform design and BESO.Hence,the M-BESO facilitates a fully digital workflow that can be extremely effective for improving the design of steel reinforcements in concrete structures.

基于刚度与应力问题的多相材料双尺度拓扑优化研究

本文针对双尺度晶格结构的优化设计,在质量约束条件下,提出了一种将均匀化方法与快速非支配排序遗传算法(NSGA-Ⅱ)相结合的拓扑优化方法,并引入双向渐进(BESO)思想指导单元的增删.对于双尺度优化设计,利用均匀化理论实现了微观尺度与宏观尺度的耦合.为了解决工程应用中的多相材料布局以及结构刚度、应力双目标优化问题,引入带有加权因子的材料插值方案,利用改进的密度插值函数推导出带惩罚因子的灵敏度计算公式,利用全局p范数应力方案消除应力的局部行为.为了使多相微观结构具有较强的边界连通性,对微观单元进行基于密度的边界设计.最后,对经典的L型梁与二维支撑结构进行优化设计,分析了p范数应力参数对优化结果的影响.结果表明,所提出的算法可以有效地使双目标达到最优解的平衡状态.此外,通过与经典的均匀化算法以及相关领域研究的结果进行对比,证明了所提出算法在多相材料以及双目标优化问题中的优越性,为未来双尺度优化解决工程问题提供了一定的理论基础.

COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR DIRECTED STRUCTURE TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION

To compensate for the imperfection of traditional bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization, material interpolation scheme and sensitivity filter functions are introduced. A suitable filter can overcome the checkerboard and mesh-dependency. And the historical information on accurate elemental sensitivity numbers are used to keep the objective function converging steadily. Apart from rational intervals of the relevant important parameters, the concept of distinguishing between active and non-active elements design is proposed, which can be widely used for improving the function and artistry of structures directly, especially for a one whose accurate size is not given. Furthermore, user-friendly software packages are developed to enhance its accessibility for practicing engineers and architects. And to reduce the time cost for large timeconsuming complex structure optimization, parallel computing is built-in in the MATLAB codes. The program is easy to use for engineers who may not be familiar with either FEA or structure optimization. And developers can make a deep research on the algorithm by changing the MATLAB codes. Several classical examples are given to show that the improved BESO method is superior for its handy and utility computer program software.

拓扑优化方法及其在微型柔性结构设计中的应用

介绍了连续体结构拓扑优化设计中常用的均匀化方法和渐进结构优化法的原理,对拓扑优化中出现的数值不稳定现象——棋盘格式、网格依赖性和局部极值——进行了分析,通过典型实例和笔者最近的研究工作说明了拓扑优化在微型柔性机构设计中的应用,最后对拓扑优化技术的发展进行了展望.

一种变位移约束限的结构拓扑优化方法

针对仅有位移约束和重量最小的结构拓扑优化问题,基于ICM(独立、连续、映射)方法思路,提出了一种变位移约束限的结构拓扑优化方法.在每一轮子循环迭代求解开始时,为了控制拓扑设计变量的变化量,形成和引进了新的位移约束限.另外,建立了单元删除阈值和几轮迭代循环的单元删除策略.为了确保优化迭代中结构非奇异和方法具有增添单元的功能,在结构孔洞和边界周围引入了一层人工材料单元,并建立了一套有效结构信息到结构最大设计域信息的映射转换方法.结合对偶求解方法,形成了一种新的连续体结构的拓扑优化方法.给出的算例表明该方法没有目标函数的振荡现象,且验证了该方法的正确性和有效性.

加窗渐进结构优化算法

渐进结构优化算法通常用于寻找结构最优的拓扑形状,指导结构的设计。但其删除准则的缺陷易引起计算效率低等一系列问题。本文对删除准则进行了改进,提出了加窗渐进结构优化算法。该算法引入结构整体平均应变能密度作为单元删除准则,同时将单元删除率设定为窗口可调的自适应状态。该算法一定程度上解决了传统渐进结构优化算法中计算效率较低和优化过程易发生畸变的问题,且推广至高阶有限元单元应用后扩大了其应用范围。通过与Michell理论解对比,其构造的拓扑的可靠性也得到了证明。

渐进结构优化设计的现状与进展

渐进结构拓扑优化 (ESO)是近年来兴起的一种解决各类结构优化问题的数值方法。它是基于这样一个简单概念 :通过将结构中无效或低效的材料一步步去掉 ,剩下的结构将逐渐趋于优化。其特点在于简单 ,通用 ,优化的结构可为桁架、刚架、板壳或三维连续体。优化的约束条件包括应力、刚度、位移、频率、临界压力及动响应。阐述了渐进结构优化法的基本原理和具体步骤 ,并以一系列算例演示该法的计算机实施过程 ,最后介绍了ESO的最新进展。

一种基于主应力的双方向渐进结构拓扑优化方法

针对桥梁结构的受力特性及其材料的性能要求 ,在基于主应力优化准则的基础上 ,本文提出了一种双方向渐进结构拓扑优化算法 .该算法在充分考虑材料拉压特性的同时 ,具有删除和恢复单元的功能 ,并消除了解的振荡现象 .

基于单元密度进化步长控制的双向渐进结构优化方法

在渐进结构优化方法中,单元密度的进化步长是获得全局最优解的关键因素之一。为了提高渐进结构优化方法的全局寻优能力,提出一种基于单元密度进化步长控制的双向渐进结构优化方法。该方法根据各单元对结构性能影响的权重系数,建立单元密度进化步长的控制模型以控制主/次要单元的删除速率和添加速率,减小灵敏度误差并抑制灰度单元的产生。在控制单元密度进化步长的基础上结合双向渐进结构优化方法中添加单元的特点,以避免由于误删单元导致优化失败。同时,采用灵敏度再分配技术抑制棋盘格式以获得更平滑的优化构形。最后,通过两个算例验证了本文方法能有效地通过控制单元密度进化步长提高全局寻优能力。

一种变频率约束限的结构拓扑优化方法

针对仅频率约束和重量最小的结构拓扑优化问题,基于ICM(独立、连续、映射)方法和渐进结构优化方法的思路,提出了一种变频率约束限的结构拓扑优化方法。在优化迭代循环的每一轮子循环迭代求解开始时,为了控制拓扑设计变量的变化量,依据结构频率和其约束限,形成和引进了新的频率约束限。另外,建立了单元删除阈值和几轮迭代循环的单元删除策略。为了确保优化迭代中结构非奇异和方法具有增添单元的功能,在结构孔洞和边界周围引入了一层人工材料单元。结合拉格朗日乘子法,形成了一种新的连续体结构的拓扑优化方法。给出的算例表明该方法没有目标函数的振荡现象,且验证了该方法的正确性和有效性。

地面运动激励下结构的动力学形状优化设计

通过推广和修改 ESO方法来进行结构形状优化设计 ,以达到控制地面运动激励下的结构随机动力响应的目的。根据工程实际要求 ,用随机动力学理论构造具有白噪声功率谱的地面运动的随机动响应表达式。基于特征导数的模态截断法和近似处理 ,导出了一套平均均方动响应的灵敏度公式。在优化软件上实现了形状优化算法 。

大跨空间结构选形优化方法比较研究

为了确定某大跨空间结构的最佳受力体系,结合结构形态学知识,根据ESO方法的基本原理,以有限元分析软件ANSYS为平台,建立初始设计域的三维实体模型,以每个单元的存活状态为设计变量,以结构体积最小为目标函数,对该大跨空间结构进行了结构受力体系的选形优化.为满足建筑意图及特殊基础条件的限制,最终选形结果确定为钢结构拱支承受力体系.最后,将ESO方法选形优化确定的结构受力体系与原设计院逆吊法选形优化确定的结构受力体系进行静力计算变形和内力的对比分析,说明了ESO方法选形结果比逆吊法选形结果具有优越性,验证了ESO方法对大跨空间结构受力体系选形优化的可行性及高效性,同时得出了拓扑优化方法对大跨空间结构受力体系选形优化的重要性和必要性.