S.L. Li^1,2, S.Y. Long¹, G.Y. Li¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.60, No.1, pp. 73-94, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2010.060.073

Abstract A new implementation of topology optimization for the plate described by the Reissner-Mindlin theory based on the meshless natural neighbour Petrov-Galerkin method (NNPG) is proposed in this work. The objective is to produce the stiffest plate for a given volume by redistributing the material throughout the plate. We try to couple the advantages of the meshless numerical method with the topology optimization of moderately thick plate. The numerical approach presented here is based on the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) formulation of the topology optimization problem. The natural neighbour interpolation shape function is employed to discretize both displacement and… More >

D.P. Boso¹, M. Lefik²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.55, No.3, pp. 319-338, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2010.055.319

Abstract In this paper we study numerically the mechanical behaviour of wire ropes, particularly the influence of the geometrical configuration on the overall stiffness of the cables. Modelling the behaviour of a cable is a difficult problem, given the complexity of the geometrical layout, contact phenomena occurring among wires and possible yielding of the material. For this reason we pursue a "hierarchical beam approach", to substitute recursively, at each cabling stage, the bundle of wires with an equivalent single strand, having the characteristics computed from the previous level. We consider the first two levels of the bundle hierarchy and investigate the… More >

R. Zakhama^1,2,3, M.M. Abdalla², H. Smaoui^1,3, Z. Gürdal²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.51, No.1, pp. 1-26, 2009, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2009.051.001

Abstract A multigrid accelerated cellular automata algorithm for two and three dimensional continuum topology optimization problems is presented. The topology optimization problem is regularized using the traditional SIMP approach. The analysis rules are derived from the principle of minimum total potential energy, and the design rules are derived based on continuous optimality criteria interpreted as local Kuhn-Tucker conditions. Three versions of the algorithm are implemented; a cellular automata based design algorithm, a baseline multigrid algorithm for analysis acceleration and a full multigrid integrated analysis and design algorithm. It is shown that the multigrid accelerated cellular automata scheme is a powerful tool… More >

J. M. García-Aznar^1,2, M. A. Pérez^1,2, P. Moreo^1,3

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.48, No.3, pp. 271-302, 2009, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2009.048.271

Abstract There are many interfaces between biological materials with a structural functionality, where their mechanical behaviour is crucial for their own performance. Advanced tools such as cohesive surface models are being used to simulate the failure and degradation of this kind of biological interactions. The goal of this paper, in a first step, is to present some cohesive surface models that include damage and repair in interfaces and its application to different biomechanical problems. Secondly, we discuss about the main challenges that we have to improve in the modelling of interfaces for a mechanobiological approach. More >

Tao Cui¹, Wenhao Liao¹ and Daren Yu ¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.45, No.3, pp. 273-294, 2009, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2009.045.273

Abstract Aerodynamic hysteresis is of practical importance for the flying airfoils. Motivated by the problem of global description on the hysteresis behaviors, this paper proposes a topological approach to analyze and model the hysteresis behaviors exhibited in the airfoil flow from a viewpoint of dynamic system theory. The approach is based on the topological invariant rules of singular points under topological mapping. It is able to theoretically explain such discontinuous hysteresis phenomena, and make consistent and accurate predictions of the hysteresis behaviors in the airfoil flow. The model results have shown that the present model is in good agreement with the… More >

Juan Zheng^1,2,3, Shuyao Long^1,2, Yuanbo Xiong^1,2, Guangyao Li¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 19-34, 2009, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2009.042.019

Abstract In this paper, the finite volume meshless local Petrov-Galerkin method (FVMLPG) is applied to carry out a topology optimization design for the continuum structures. In FVMLPG method, the finite volume method is combined with the meshless local Petrov-Galekin method, and both strains as well as displacements are independently interpolated, at randomly distributed points in a local domain, using the moving least squares (MLS) approximation. The nodal values of strains are expressed in terms of the independently interpolated nodal values of displacements, by simple enforcing the strain-displacement relationships directly. Considering the relative density of nodes as design variable, and the minimization… More >

Shu Li¹, S. N. Atluri²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.30, No.1, pp. 37-56, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2008.030.037

Abstract In this paper, a method based on a combination of an optimization of directions of orthotropy, along with topology optimization, is applied to continuum orthotropic solids with the objective of minimizing their compliance. The spatial discretization algorithm is the so called Meshless Local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) "mixed collocation'' method for the design domain, and the material-orthotropy orientation angles and the nodal volume fractions are used as the design variables in material optimization and topology optimization, respectively. Filtering after each iteration diminishes the checkerboard effect in the topology optimization problem. The example results are provided to illustrate the effects of the orthotropic… More >

Shu Li¹, S. N. Atluri²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.26, No.1, pp. 61-74, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2008.026.061

Abstract The Meshless Local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) "mixed collocation'' method is applied to the problem of topology-optimization of elastic structures. In this paper, the topic of compliance minimization of elastic structures is pursued, and nodal design variables which represent nodal volume fractions at discretized nodes are adopted. A so-called nodal sensitivity filter is employed, to prevent the phenomenon of checkerboarding in numerical solutions to the topology-optimization problems. The example results presented in the paper demonstrate the suitability and versatility of the MLPG "mixed collocation'' method, in implementing structural topology-optimization. More >

S.Y. Wang^1,2, K.M. Lim^2,3, B.C. Khoo^2,3, M.Y. Wang⁴

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 21-50, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2008.024.021

Abstract In topology optimization, filtering techniques have become quite popular in practice. In this paper, an accurate and efficient hybrid sensitivity filtering approach based on the traditional and bilateral sensitivity filtering approaches is proposed. In the present hybrid approach, the traditional sensitivity filter is applied to a sub-domain where numerical instabilities are likely to occur to overcome the numerical instabilites robustly. Filtering on mesh-independent holes identified by an image-processing-based technique is prohibited to reduce the computational cost. The bilateral approach is employed for the corresponding nearest neighboring elements of the mesh-independent holes to drive the 0-1 convergence of their boundaries. As… More >

L. Parussini¹, V. Pediroda²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 29-52, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2008.023.029

Abstract In this paper different Polynomial Chaos methods coupled to Fictitious Domain approach have been applied to one- and two- dimensional elliptic problems with multi uncertain variables in order to compare the accuracy and convergence of the methodologies. Both intrusive and non-intrusive methods have been considered, with particular attention to their employment for quantification of geometric uncertainties. A Fictitious Domain approach with Least-Squares Spectral Element approximation has been employed for the analysis of differential problems with uncertain boundary domains. Its main advantage lies in the fact that only a Cartesian mesh, that represents the enclosure, needs to be generated. Excellent accuracy… More >