Evolutionary topology optimization of continuum structures with smooth boundary representation

Daicong Da, Liang Xia, Guangyao Li, Xiaodong Huang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

109 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)2143-2159
Number of pages17
JournalStructural and Multidisciplinary Optimization
Volume57
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2018

Keywords

  • Evolutionary topology optimization (ETO)
  • Level-set function
  • Smooth boundary representation
  • Topology optimization

EGS Disciplines

  • Engineering

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