TY - JOUR
T1 - Evolutionary topology optimization of continuum structures with smooth boundary representation
AU - Da, Daicong
AU - Xia, Liang
AU - Li, Guangyao
AU - Huang, Xiaodong
N1 - This paper develops an extended bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method for topology optimization of continuum structures with smoothed boundary representation. In contrast to conventional zigzag BESO designs and removal/addition of elements, the newly proposed evolutionary topology optimization (ETO) method, determines implicitly the smooth structural topology by a level-set function (LSF) constructed by nodal sensitivity numbers.
PY - 2018/6/1
Y1 - 2018/6/1
N2 - This paper develops an extended bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method for topology optimization of continuum structures with smoothed boundary representation. In contrast to conventional zigzag BESO designs and removal/addition of elements, the newly proposed evolutionary topology optimization (ETO) method, determines implicitly the smooth structural topology by a level-set function (LSF) constructed by nodal sensitivity numbers. The projection relationship between the design model and the finite element analysis (FEA) model is established. The analysis of the design model is replaced by the FEA model with various elemental volume fractions, which are determined by the auxiliary LSF. The introduction of sensitivity LSF results in intermediate volume elements along the solid-void interface of the FEA model, thus contributing to the better convergence of the optimized topology for the design model. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method are verified by a series of 2D and 3D topology optimization design problems including compliance minimization and natural frequency maximization. It has been shown that the developed ETO method is capable of generating a clear and smooth boundary representation; meanwhile the resultant designs are less dependent on the initial guess design and the finite element mesh resolution.
AB - This paper develops an extended bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method for topology optimization of continuum structures with smoothed boundary representation. In contrast to conventional zigzag BESO designs and removal/addition of elements, the newly proposed evolutionary topology optimization (ETO) method, determines implicitly the smooth structural topology by a level-set function (LSF) constructed by nodal sensitivity numbers. The projection relationship between the design model and the finite element analysis (FEA) model is established. The analysis of the design model is replaced by the FEA model with various elemental volume fractions, which are determined by the auxiliary LSF. The introduction of sensitivity LSF results in intermediate volume elements along the solid-void interface of the FEA model, thus contributing to the better convergence of the optimized topology for the design model. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method are verified by a series of 2D and 3D topology optimization design problems including compliance minimization and natural frequency maximization. It has been shown that the developed ETO method is capable of generating a clear and smooth boundary representation; meanwhile the resultant designs are less dependent on the initial guess design and the finite element mesh resolution.
KW - Evolutionary topology optimization (ETO)
KW - Level-set function
KW - Smooth boundary representation
KW - Topology optimization
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-017-1846-6
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85034840750&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00158-017-1846-6
DO - 10.1007/s00158-017-1846-6
M3 - Article
VL - 57
SP - 2143
EP - 2159
JO - Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization
JF - Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization
IS - 6
ER -