Open Access

ARTICLE

Microstructural Topology Optimization for Periodic Beam-Like Structures Using Homogenization Method

Jiao Jia^1,*, Xin He², Zhenchen Liu³, Shiqing Wu⁴

1 Flying College, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
2 School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
3 Institute of Unmanned System, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
4 Beijing Institute of Space Mechatronics and Electricity, Beijing, 100094, China

* Corresponding Author: Jiao Jia. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Topology Optimization: Theory, Methods, and Engineering Applications)

Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences 2025, 143(3), 3215-3231. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmes.2025.066489

Received 09 April 2025; Accepted 04 June 2025; Issue published 30 June 2025

Abstract

As primary load-bearing components extensively utilized in engineering applications, beam structures necessitate the design of their microstructural configurations to achieve lightweight objectives while satisfying diverse mechanical performance requirements. Combining topology optimization with fully coupled homogenization beam theory, we provide a highly efficient design tool to access desirable periodic microstructures for beams. The present optimization framework comprehensively takes into account for key deformation modes, including tension, bending, torsion, and shear deformation, all within a unified formulation. Several numerical results prove that our method can be used to handle kinds of microstructure design for beam-like structures, e.g., extreme tension (compression)–torsion stiffness, maximization of minimum critical buckling load, and minimization of structural compliance. When optimizing microstructures for macroscopic performance, we emphasize investigating the influence of shear stiffness on the optimized results. The novel chiral beam-like structures are fabricated and tested. The experimental results indicate that the optimized tension (compression)–torsion structure has excellent buffer characteristics, as compared with the traditional square tube. This proposed optimization framework can be further extended to other physical problems of Timoshenko beams.

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Keywords

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