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.

Effects of intermittent loading time and stress ratio on dwell fatigue behavior of titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V ELI used in deep-sea submersibles

Different components of deep-sea submersibles,such as the pressure hull,are usually subjected to intermittent loading,dwell loading,and unloading during service.Therefore,for the design and reliability assessment of structural parts under dwell fatigue loading,understanding the effects of intermittent loading time on dwell fatigue behavior of the alloys is essential.In this study,the effects of the intermittent loading time and stress ratio on dwell fatigue behavior of the titanium alloy Ti-6 Al-4 V ELI were investigated.Results suggest that the dwell fatigue failure modes of Ti-6 Al-4 V ELI can be classified into three types,i.e.,fatigue failure mode,ductile failure mode,and mixed failure mode.The intermittent loading time does not affect the dwell fatigue behavior,whereas the stress ratio significantly affects the dwell fatigue life and dwell fatigue mechanism.The dwell fatigue life increases with an increase in the stress ratio for the same maximum stress,and specimens with a negative stress ratio tend to undergo ductile failure.The mechanism of dwell fatigue of titanium alloys is attribute to an increase in the plastic strain caused by the part of the dwell loading,thereby resulting in an increase in the actual stress of the specimens during the subsequent loading cycles and aiding the growth of the formed crack or damage,along with the local plastic strain or damage induced by the part of the fatigue load promoting the cumulative plastic strain during the dwell fatigue process.The interaction between dwell loading and fatigue loading accelerates specimen failure,in contrast to the case for individual creep or fatigue loading alone.The dwell fatigue life and cumulative maximum strain during the first loading cycle could be correlated by a linear relationship on the log–log scale.This relationship can be used to evaluate the dwell fatigue life of Ti alloys with the maximum stress dwell.

Study of the influence of added water and contained water on structural vibrations and acoustic radiation using different dynamic modeling methods

Using the 3-D sono-elasticity method and the simplified nonstructural mass method,the different dynamic modeling methods of the added water for a single-hull structure are first analyzed in this study.Then,the complete internal flow field method and the simplified nonstructural mass method of the contained water between the double hulls of a double-hull structure are investigated.Finally,based on the calculation and analysis under multiple conditions,a reasonable and simplified dynamic modeling method of added water and contained water is obtained.It is indicated that the mass of added water for a single-hull structure is closely related to the mass of total underwater displacement of the structure.With the increase in the analysis frequency,the mass of added water is characterized by first decreasing rapidly and then decreasing gradually and smoothly.The contained water between the double hulls is distributed to the pressure hull and the light shell based on the ratio of the impedances of the double hulls.The results can basically reflect the acoustic radiation characteristics of the double-hull structure.

A time domain three-dimensional sono-elastic method for ships' vibration and acoustic radiation analysis in water

The classical three-dimensional hydroelasticity of ships is extend to include the effect of fluid compressibility, which yields the three-dimensional sono-elasticity of ships. To enable the predictions of coupled transient or nonlinear vibrations and acoustic radiations of ship structures, a time domain three-dimensional sono-elastic analysis method of acoustic responses of a floating structure is presented. The frequency domain added mass and radiation damping coefficients of the ship are first calculated by a three-dimensional frequency domain analysis method, from which a retardation function is derived and converted into the generalized time domain radiation force through a convolution integral. On this basis the generalized time domain sono-elastic equations of motion of the ship hull in water are established for calculation of the steady-state or transient-state excitation induced coupled vibrations and acoustic radiations of the ship. The generalized hydrodynamic coefficients, structural vibrations and underwater acoustic radiations of an elastic spherical shell excited by a concentrated pulsating force are illustrated and compared with analytical solutions with good agreement. The numerical results of a rectangular floating body are also presented to discuss the numerical error resultant from truncation of the upper integration limit in the Fourier integral of the frequency domain added mass coefficients for the retardation function.