scholarly journals Anisotropic Multicomponent Topology Optimization for Additive Manufacturing With Build Orientation Design and Stress-Constrained Interfaces

Author(s):  
Yuqing Zhou ◽  
Tsuyoshi Nomura ◽  
Kazuhiro Saitou

Abstract This paper presents a multicomponent topology optimization method for designing structures assembled from additively manufactured components, considering anisotropic material behavior for each component due to its build orientation, distinct material behavior, and stress constraints at component interfaces (i.e., joints). Based upon the multicomponent topology optimization (MTO) framework, the simultaneous optimization of structural topology, its partitioning, and the build orientations of each component is achieved, which maximizes an assembly-level structural stiffness performance subject to maximum stress constraints at component interfaces. The build orientations of each component are modeled by its orientation tensor that avoids numerical instability experienced by the conventional angular representation. A new joint model is introduced at component interfaces, which enables the identification of the interface location, the specification of a distinct material tensor, and imposing maximum stress constraints during optimization. Both 2D and 3D numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effect of the build orientation anisotropy and the component interface behavior on the resulting multicomponent assemblies.

Author(s):  
Yuqing Zhou ◽  
Tsuyoshi Nomura ◽  
Kazuhiro Saitou

Abstract This paper presents a multicomponent topology optimization method for designing structures assembled from additively-manufactured components, considering anisotropic material behavior for each component due to its build orientation and distinct material behavior and stress constraint at component interfaces (i.e., joints). Based upon the multicomponent topology optimization (MTO) framework, the simultaneous optimization of structural topology, its partitioning, and the build orientations of each component is achieved that maximizes an assembly-level structural stiffness performance, subject to a maximum stress constraint at component interfaces. The build orientations of each component are modeled by its orientation tensor that avoids numerical instability often experienced by the angular representation. A new joint model is introduced at component interfaces, which enables identifying the interface region, assigning a distinct tensor for the region, and imposing a maximum stress constraint in the region during optimization. Both 2D and 3D numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effect of the build orientation anisotropy and the component interface behavior on the resulting multicomponent assemblies. The example 3D assembly, optimized for a multi-load condition, is fabricated for the purpose of demonstration.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Masoero ◽  
Connor O'Shaughnessy ◽  
Peter D. Gosling ◽  
Bernardino M. Chiaia

Structural Topology Optimization typically features continuum-based descriptions of the investigated systems.In Part 1 we have proposed a Topology Optimization method for discrete systems and tested it on quasi-static 2D problems of energy minimization, assuming linear elastic material.However, discrete descriptions become particularly convenient in the failure and post-failure regimes, where discontinuous processes take place, such as fracture, fragmentation, and collapse. Here we take a first step towards failure problems, testing Discrete Element Topology Optimization for systems with nonlinear material responses. The incorporation of material nonlinearity does not require any change to the optimisation method, only using appropriately rich interaction potentials between the discrete elements. Three simple problems are analysed, to show how various combinations of material nonlinearity in tension and compression can impact the optimum geometries. We also quantify the strength loss when a structure is optimized assuming a certain material behavior, but then the material behaves differently in the actual structure. For the systems considered here, assuming weakest material during optimization produces the most robust structures against incorrect assumptions on material behavior. Such incorrect assumptions, instead, are shown to have minor impact on the serviceability of the optimized structures.


Author(s):  
Akihiro Takezawa ◽  
Shinji Nishiwaki ◽  
Kazuhiro Izui ◽  
Masataka Yoshimura

This paper discuses a new topology optimization method using frame elements for the design of mechanical structures at the conceptual design phase. The optimal configurations are determined by maximizing multiple eigen-frequencies in order to obtain the most stable structures for dynamic problems. The optimization problem is formulated using frame elements having ellipsoidal cross-sections, as the simplest case. Construction of the optimization procedure is based on CONLIN and the complementary strain energy concept. Finally, several examples are presented to confirm that the proposed method is useful for the topology optimization method discussed here.


Author(s):  
Mads Baandrup ◽  
Ole Sigmund ◽  
Niels Aage

<p>This work applies a ultra large scale topology optimization method to study the optimal structure of bridge girders in cable supported bridges.</p><p>The current classic orthotropic box girder designs are limited in further development and optimiza­ tion, and suffer from substantial fatigue issues. A great disadvantage of the orthotropic girder is the loads being carried one direction at a time, thus creating stress hot spots and fatigue problems. Hence, a new design concept has the potential to solve many of the limitations in the current state­ of-the-art.</p><p>We present a design method based on ultra large scale topology optimization. The highly detailed structures and fine mesh-discretization permitted by ultra large scale topology optimization reveal new design features and previously unseen eff ects. The results demonstrate the potential of gener­ ating completely different design solutions for bridge girders in cable supported bridges, which dif­ fer significantly from the classic orthotropic box girders.</p><p>The overall goal of the presented work is to identify new and innovative, but at the same time con­ structible and economically reasonable, solutions tobe implemented into the design of future cable supported bridges.</p>


Author(s):  
Kuang-Wu Chou ◽  
Chang-Wei Huang

This study proposes a new element-based method to solve structural topology optimization problems with non-uniform meshes. The objective function is to minimize the compliance of a structure, subject to a volume constraint. For a structure of a fixed volume, the method is intended to find a topology that could almost conform to the compliance minimum. The method is refined from the evolutionary switching method, whose policy of exchanging elements is improved by replacing some empirical decisions with ones according to optimization theories. The method has the evolutionary stage and the element exchange stage to conduct topology optimization. The evolutionary stage uses the evolutionary structural optimization method to remove inefficient elements until the volume constraint is satisfied. The element exchange stage performs a procedure refined from the element exchange method. Notably, the procedures of both stages are refined to conduct non-uniform finite element meshes. The proposed method was implemented to use the Abaqus Python scripting interface to call the services of Abaqus such as running analysis and retrieving the output database of an analysis. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed optimization method could determine the optimal topology of a structure that is subject to a volume constraint and whose mesh is non-uniform.


2020 ◽  
Vol 239 ◽  
pp. 106324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lipeng Jiu ◽  
Weihong Zhang ◽  
Liang Meng ◽  
Ying Zhou ◽  
Liang Chen

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Wu ◽  
Qingpeng Li ◽  
Qingjie Hu ◽  
Andrew Borgart

Firefly Algorithm (FA, for short) is inspired by the social behavior of fireflies and their phenomenon of bioluminescent communication. Based on the fundamentals of FA, two improved strategies are proposed to conduct size and topology optimization for trusses with discrete design variables. Firstly, development of structural topology optimization method and the basic principle of standard FA are introduced in detail. Then, in order to apply the algorithm to optimization problems with discrete variables, the initial positions of fireflies and the position updating formula are discretized. By embedding the random-weight and enhancing the attractiveness, the performance of this algorithm is improved, and thus an Improved Firefly Algorithm (IFA, for short) is proposed. Furthermore, using size variables which are capable of including topology variables and size and topology optimization for trusses with discrete variables is formulated based on the Ground Structure Approach. The essential techniques of variable elastic modulus technology and geometric construction analysis are applied in the structural analysis process. Subsequently, an optimization method for the size and topological design of trusses based on the IFA is introduced. Finally, two numerical examples are shown to verify the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method by comparing with different deterministic methods.


Author(s):  
Meisam Takalloozadeh ◽  
Krishnan Suresh

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate a topology optimization method subject to displacement and stress constraints. The method does not rely on pseudo-densities; instead it exploits the concept of topological level-set where ‘partial’ elements are avoided. Consequently: (1) the stresses are well-defined at all points within the evolving topology, and (2) the finite-element analysis is robust and efficient. Further, in the proposed method, a series of topologies of decreasing volume fractions are generated in a single optimization run. The method is illustrated through numerical experiments in 2D.


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