On simultaneous shape and material layout optimization of shell structures

This work presents a computational method for integrated shape and topology optimization of shell structures. Most research in the last decades considered both optimization techniques separately, seeking an initial optimal topology and refining the shape of the solution later. The method implemented in this work uses a combined approach, were the shape of the shell structure and material distribution are optimized simultaneously. This formulation involves a variable ground structure for topology optimization, since the shape of the shell mid-plane is modified in the course of the process. It was considered a simple type of design problem, where the optimization goal is to minimize the compliance with respect to the variables that control the shape, material fraction and orientation, subjected to a constraint on the total volume of material. The topology design problem has been formulated introducing a second rank layered microestructure, where material properties are computed by a “smear-out” procedure. The method has been implemented into a general optimization software called ODESSY, developed at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering in Aalborg. The computational model was tested in several numerical applications to illustrate and validate the approach.     

Nonlinear topology optimization of layered shell structures

Topology stiffness (compliance) design of linear and geometrically nonlinear shell structures is solved using the SIMP approach together with a filtering scheme. A general anisotropic multi-layer shell model is employed to allow the formation of through-the-thickness holes or stiffening zones. The finite element analysis is performed using nine-node Mindlin-type shell elements based on the degenerated shell approach, which are capable of modeling both single and multi-layered structures exhibiting anisotropic or isotropic behavior. The optimization problem is solved using analytical compliance and constraint sensitivities together with the Method of Moving Asymptotes (MMA). Geometrically nonlinear problems are solved using iterative Newton–Raphson methods and an adjoint variable approach is used for the sensitivity analysis. Several benchmark tests are presented in order to illustrate the difference in optimal topologies between linear and geometrically nonlinear shell structures.     

Constrained adaptive topology optimization for vibrating shell structures

This paper describes an algorithm for structural topology optimization entitled Constrained Adaptive Topology Optimization or CATO which is applied here to produce the optimum design of shell structures under free vibration conditions. The algorithm, based on an artificial material model and an updating scheme, combines ideas from the more mathematically rigorous homogenization (h) methods and the more intuitive evolutionary (e) methods. Thus, CATO can be seen as a hybrid h/e method. The optimization problem is defined as maximizing or minimizing a chosen frequency with a constraint on the structural volume/mass by redistributing the material through the structure. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is illustrated through several numerical examples. Received February 17, 2000     

Simultaneous shape and topology optimization of shell structures

In this research, Method of Moving Asymptotes (MMA) is utilized for simultaneous shape and topology optimization of shell structures. It is shown that this approach is well matched with the large number of topology and shape design variables. The currently practiced technology for optimization is to find the topology first and then to refine the shape of structure. In this paper, the design parameters of shape and topology are optimized simultaneously in one go. In order to model and control the shape of free form shells, the NURBS (Non Uniform Rational B-Spline) technology is used. The optimization problem is considered as the minimization of mean compliance with the total material volume as active constraint and taking the shape and topology parameters as design variables. The material model employed for topology optimization is assumed to be the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP). Since the MMA optimization method requires derivatives of the objective function and the volume constraint with respect to the design variables, a sensitivity analysis is performed. Also, for alleviation of the instabilities such as mesh dependency and checkerboarding the convolution noise cleaning technique is employed. Finally, few examples taken from literature are presented to demonstrate the performance of the method and to study the effect of the proposed concurrent approach on the optimal design in comparison to the sequential topology and shape optimization methods.     

An open platform of shape design optimization for shell structure

A general platform built on a computer-aided design (CAD) system is developed for parameterized shape design optimization of shell structure. Within the platform, parameterized surface modeling and computer-aided engineering (CAE) applications are embedded and seamlessly integrated with the CAD system through its application programming interface (API). Firstly, instead of the CAD system inherent surface modeling, a parameterized surface modeling for shell structure is fulfilled through integrating with parametric solid modeling of the CAD system. Thus, any dimensions for parametric solid modeling can be used to control shape modification of shell structure and serve as design variables for shape design optimization. Secondly, seamless integration of geometry modeling and finite-element modeling for shell structure is implemented. Finally, with integrated procedures of finite-element analysis and optimization algorithms, a general platform for parameterized shape optimization of shell structure is realized. Numerical examples are presented, and the results validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the platform. A shorten version of this paper was presented to the 7th World Congress of Computation Mechanics (WCCM 2006), July 16–22, 2006, Los Angeles, CA, USA.     

Simultaneous design of components layout and supporting structures using coupled shape and topology optimization technique

The purpose of this paper was to study the layout design of the components and their supporting structures in a finite packing space. A coupled shape and topology optimization (CSTO) technique is proposed. On one hand, by defining the location and orientation of each component as geometric design variables, shape optimization is carried out to find the optimal layout of these components and a finite-circle method (FCM) is used to avoid the overlap between the components. On the other hand, the material configuration of the supporting structures that interconnect components is optimized simultaneously based on topology optimization method. As the FE mesh discretizing the packing space, i.e., design domain, has to be updated itertively to accommodate the layout variation of involved components, topology design variables, i.e., density variables assigned to density points that are distributed regularly in the entire design domain will be introduced in this paper instead of using traditional pseudo-density variables associated with finite elements as in standard topology optimization procedures. These points will thus dominate the pseudo-densities of the surrounding elements. Besides, in the CSTO, the technique of embedded mesh is used to save the computing time of the remeshing procedure, and design sensitivities are calculated w.r.t both geometric variables and density variables. In this paper, several design problems maximizing structural stiffness are considered subject to the material volume constraint. Reasonable designs of components layout and supporting structures are obtained numerically.     

Reinforcement layout and sizing optimization of composite submarine sail structures

A topology optimization approach that makes use of nonlinear design variable-to-sizing relationship is presented. A finite element (FE) model is used to describe the loaded structure, but unlike the microstructure approach, the decision is whether an element in the continuum should have maximum or minimum cross-sectional dimension while its material density and moduli are held constant. This approach is applied to reinforcement layout optimization of a very large and geometrically complex Composite Advanced Sail (CAS) structure under an asymmetric wave slap loading condition. A high-complexity model in the form of multilayered shell and a low-complexity model in the form of stiffened shell are developed for the layout optimization of the CAS and solved for minimum strain energy. The effects of constraints such as buckling instability on optimal placement of internal stiffeners are also explored. Based on the results of the layout optimization, a new FE model of the CAS is developed and optimized for minimum weight. Depending upon the degree of variability in skin thickness, the results show a weight saving of up to 19% over the original model.     

Axisymmetric shell optimization under fracture mechanics and geometric constraint

This paper describes a problem of axisymmetric shell optimization under fracture mechanics and geometric constraints. The shell is made from quasi-brittle materials, and through crack arising is admitted. It is supposed that the shell is loaded by cyclic forces. A crack propagation process related to the stress intensity factor is described by Paris fatigue law. The problem of finding the meridian shape and the thickness distribution (geometric design variables) of the shell having the smallest mass subject to constraints on the cyclic number for fatigue cracks and geometrical constraint on the shell volume is investigated. Special attention is devoted to different possibilities of problem transformation and analytical methods of their solution. Using minimax approach, optimal shapes of the shells and their thickness distributions have been found analytically.     

An integrated approach to topology,sizing, and shape optimization

Topology optimization has become very popular in industrial applications, and most FEM codes have implemented certain capabilities of topology optimization. However, most codes do not allow simultaneous treatment of sizing and shape optimization during the topology optimization phase. This poses a limitation on the design space and therefore prevents finding possible better designs since the interaction of sizing and shape variables with topology modification is excluded. In this paper, an integrated approach is developed to provide the user with the freedom of combining sizing, shape, and topology optimization in a single process.     

Layout optimization of structures with finite-sized features using multiresolution analysis

A scheme for layout optimization in structures with multiple finite-sized heterogeneities is presented. Multiresolution analysis is used to compute reduced operators (stiffness matrices) representing the elastic behavior of material distributions with heterogeneities of sizes that are comparable to the size of the structure. Two approaches for computing the reduced operators are presented: one based on a multiresolution analysis of displacements and the other based on a multiresolution analysis of a function representing the material distribution. Numerical examples using the mean compliance as the objective function are presented to illustrate the method.     

Integrated optimal topology design and shape optimization using neural networks

In this paper, neural network- and feature-based approaches are introduced to overcome current shortcomings in the automated integration of topology design and shape optimization. The topology optimization results are reconstructed in terms of features, which consist of attributes required for automation and integration in subsequent applications. Features are defined as cost-efficient simple shapes for manufacturing. A neural network-based image-processing technique is presented to match the arbitrarily shaped holes inside the structure with predefined features. The effectiveness of the proposed approach in integrating topology design and shape optimization is demonstrated with several experimental examples.     

Integration of topology and shape optimization for design of structural components

This paper presents an integrated approach that supports the topology optimization and CAD-based shape optimization. The main contribution of the paper is using the geometric reconstruction technique that is mathematically sound and error bounded for creating solid models of the topologically optimized structures with smooth geometric boundary. This geometric reconstruction method extends the integration to 3-D applications. In addition, commercial Computer-Aided Design (CAD), finite element analysis (FEA), optimization, and application software tools are incorporated to support the integrated optimization process. The integration is carried out by first converting the geometry of the topologically optimized structure into smooth and parametric B-spline curves and surfaces. The B-spline curves and surfaces are then imported into a parametric CAD environment to build solid models of the structure. The control point movements of the B-spline curves or surfaces are defined as design variables for shape optimization, in which CAD-based design velocity field computations, design sensitivity analysis (DSA), and nonlinear programming are performed. Both 2-D plane stress and 3-D solid examples are presented to demonstrate the proposed approach. Received January 27, 2000 Communicated by J. Sobieski     

Reliability-based structural optimization of frame structures for multiple failure criteria using topology optimization techniques

Topology optimization methods using discrete elements such as frame elements can provide useful insights into the underlying mechanics principles of products; however, the majority of such optimizations are performed under deterministic conditions. To avoid performance reductions due to later-stage environmental changes, variations of several design parameters are considered during the topology optimization. This paper concerns a reliability-based topology optimization method for frame structures that considers uncertainties in applied loads and nonstructural mass at the early conceptual design stage. The effects that multiple criteria, namely, stiffness and eigenfrequency, have upon system reliability are evaluated by regarding them as a series system, where mode reliabilities can be evaluated using first-order reliability methods. Through numerical calculations, reliability-based topology designs of typical two- or three-dimensional frames are obtained. The importance of considering uncertainties is then demonstrated by comparing the results obtained by the proposed method with deterministic optimal designs.     

基于蚂蚁优化算法的分层强化学习

自主系统中,agent通过与环境交互来执行分配给他们的任务,采用分层强化学习技术有助于agent在大型、复杂的环境中提高学习效率。提出一种新方法,利用蚂蚁系统优化算法来识别分层边界发现子目标状态,蚂蚁遍历过程中留下信息素,利用信息素的变化率定义了粗糙度,用粗糙度界定子目标;agent使用发现的子目标创建抽象,能够更有效地探索。在出租车环境下验证算法的性能,实验结果表明该方法可以显著提高agent的学习效率。     

Stiffener layout optimization of plate and shell structures for buckling problem by adaptive growth method

Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization - Under axial pressure or shear load, thin-walled plate and shell structures are easily destroyed by buckling. This paper presents the design method...     

Topology optimization of frame structures with flexible joints

A method for structural topology optimization of frame structures with flexible joints is presented. A typical frame structure is a set of beams and joints assembled to carry an applied load. The problem considered in this paper is to find the stiffest frame for a given mass. By introducing design variables for beams and joints, a mass distribution for optimal structural stiffness can be found. Each beam can have several design variables connected to its cross section. One of these is an area-type design variable which is used to represent the global size of the beam. The other design variables are of length ratio type, controlling the cross section of the beam. Joints are flexible elements connecting the beams in the structure. Each joint has stiffness properties and a mass. A framework for modelling these stiffnesses is presented and design variables for joints are introduced. We prove a theorem which can be interpreted as the fact that the removal of structural elements, e.g. joints or beams, can be modelled by a small strictly positive material amount assigned to the element. This is needed for the computations of sensitivities used in the applied gradient based iterative method. Both two and three dimensional problems, as well as multiple load cases and multiple mass constraints, are treated.