Y. Wang¹, E. Lü^1,2, J. Zhao¹, J. Guo¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.109-110, No.1, pp. 35-53, 2015, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2015.109.035

Abstract Meshfree methods have found good applications in many new researches, which show very good potential to be powerful numerical tools. As an alternative to the mesh based methods, meshfree methods have the advantage of not using a predefined mesh for the domain discretization. In this study, a mesh free scheme based on the radial point interpolation method was used to solve the topological design of microstructures for composite materials. The explicit form of the radial point interpolation method (RPIM) interpolation augmented with polynomials is presented, which satisfies range-restricted properties and is applicable to integrate a physically meaningful density interpolation. Meanwhile… More >

Shaohua Zhang^1,2, Pei Li¹, Yongteng Zhong¹, Jiawei Xiang^1,3

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.101, No.1, pp. 17-31, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2014.101.017

Abstract In order to obtain smooth boundary and improve computational efficiency, a new topology optimization scheme based on the level set method is presented. Using the level set function as design variable and the volume ratio of the solid material as volume constraint, respectively, this scheme can easily implement compliance minimization structure topology optimization in associated with the reaction-diffusion equation in commercial software COMSOL. Compared with the results of solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) and traditional level set method, this scheme obtained a smooth geometry boundary. In the present computational scheme, the computational cost could be enormously saved without solving… More >

Yixian Du^1,2,3,4, De Chen¹, Xiaobo Xiang¹, Qihua Tian¹, Yi Zhang¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 53-75, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2013.094.053

Abstract Topological design of continuum structures usually involves numerical instabilities, such as checkerboards and mesh-dependency, which degenerate the manufacturability, the efficiency and the robustness of the optimal design. This paper will propose a new topology optimization method to suppress numerical instabilities occurred in the topology optimization of continua, according to the principle of error amplifier and feedback control in the control system. The design variables associated with topological design are updated based on the Cellular Automata (CA) theory. A couple of typical numerical examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in effectively suppressing numerical instabilities occurred in… More >

Jian Hua Rong^1,2,3, Zhi Jun Zhao⁴, Yi Min Xie⁵, Ji Jun Yi^1,2

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.90, No.3, pp. 211-231, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2013.090.211

Abstract Similar periodic structures have been widely used in engineering. In order to obtaining the optimal similar periodic structures, a topology optimization method of similar periodic structures with multiple displacement constraints is proposed in this paper. Firstly, in the proposed method, the design domain is divided into sub-domains. Secondly, a penalty term considering discrete conditions of density variables is introduced into the objective function, and the reciprocal density exponents of structural elements are taken as design variables. A topological optimization model of a similar periodic continuum structure with the objective function being the structural mass and the constraint functions being structural… More >

Mohsen Sadeghbeigi Olyaie¹, Mohammad Reza Razfar², Edward J. Kansa³

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.75, No.1, pp. 43-88, 2011, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2011.075.043

Abstract This paper presents integration of reliability analysis with topology optimization design for a linear mircroactuator, including multitude cantilever piezoelectric bimorphs. Each microbimoph in the mechanism can be actuated in both axial and flexural modes simultaneously. We consider quasi-static and linear conditions, and the smoothed finite element method (S-FEM) is employed in the analysis of piezoelectric effects. Since microfabrication methods are used for manufacturing this type of actuator, uncertainty variables become very important. Hence, these variables are considered as constraints during our topology optimization design process and reliability based topology optimization (RBTO) is conducted. To avoid the overly-stiff behavior in FEM… More >

Zheng Juan^1,2,3, Long Shuyao^1,2, Xiong Yuanbo^1,2, Li Guangyao¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.34, No.2, pp. 137-154, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2008.034.137

Abstract In this paper, the meshless radial point interpolation method (RPIM) is applied to carry out a topology optimization design for the continuum structure. Considering the relative density of nodes as a design variable, and the minimization of compliance as an objective function, the mathematical formulation of the topology optimization design is developed using the SIMP (solid isotropic microstructures with penalization) interpolation scheme. The topology optimization problem is solved by the optimality criteria method. Numerical examples show that the proposed approach is feasible and efficient for the topology optimization design for the continuum structure, and can effectively overcome the checkerboard phenomenon. More >

Shiwei Zhou¹, Michael Yu Wang²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.16, No.2, pp. 83-102, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2006.016.083

Abstract This paper describes a self-mass-conservative Cahn-Hilliard (C-H) model with elastic strain energy (mean compliance) for the optimization of multi-material structure topology. The total free energy of the generalized C-H system can be represented as a Lyapunov functional so that the elastic strain energy, as a part of the total free energy, decreases gradually to attain optimal material distribution. The interface energy relating to phase gradient in the total free energy plays an important role in regularizing the original ill-posed problem by restricting the structure's boundaries. On the other hand, interface coalescence and break-up due to phase separation and grain coarsening… More >

Adrián P. Cisilino¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.15, No.2, pp. 99-106, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2006.015.099

Abstract Topological Optimization provides a powerful framework to obtain the optimal domain topology for several engineering problems. The Topological Derivative is a function which characterizes the sensitivity of a given problem to the change of its topology, like opening a small hole in a continuum or changing the connectivity of rods in a truss.
A numerical approach for the topological optimization of 2D potential problems using Boundary Elements is presented in this work. The formulation of the problem is based on recent results which allow computing the topological derivative from potential and flux results. The Boundary Element analysis is done… More >

S.Y. Wang^1,2, M.Y. Wang³

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 119-148, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2006.013.119

Abstract In this paper, an implicit free boundary parametrization method is presented as an effective approach for simultaneous shape and topology optimization of structures. The moving free boundary of a structure is embedded as a zero level set of a higher dimensional implicit level set function. The radial basis functions (RBFs) are introduced to parametrize the implicit function with a high level of accuracy and smoothness. The motion of the free boundary is thus governed by a mathematically more convenient ordinary differential equation (ODE). Eigenvalue stability can be guaranteed due to the use of inverse multiquadric RBF splines. To perform both… More >

Yixian Du^1,2, De Chen^1,3

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.86, No.1, pp. 53-70, 2012, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2012.086.053

Abstract This study proposes a new topology optimization method for continuum structures, which includes modified heuristic optimality criteria in conjunction with the SIMP scheme to suppress gray-scale elements occurred in topology optimization of continua through smoothed Heaviside function. In the process of numerical implementation, the gray scale elements are suppressed to approach the binary bounds of 0 or 1 by utilizing the proposed approach and the corresponding convergence criterion. Two typical numerical examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in suppressing the gray-scale elements with intermediate densities, as well as the efficiency of this method in the… More >