Performance-based Topology Optimization

Performance-based Topology Optimization

Conventional topology optimization methods have sought optimal topologies that satisfy a minimum compliance with a volume constraint in the design domain, but with no functional constraints. Such concept of topology optimization seems unable to satisfy requirements in practical designs, which often include various functional constraints. More importantly, the optimal volume couldn’t be known a priori. In this paper, performance-based topology optimization problems are proposed to look for the optimal topology with minimum compliance to satisfy functional constraints under no volume constraint. A novel element-based evolutionary switching method(ESM) that can automatically adjust volume and material distribution is developed and implemented with the commercial finite element software, ABAQUS. The influence of a displacement constraint in topology optimization problems is investigated. Numerical examples show that the allowable value and the location of a displacement constraint would change the optimal topology with different volume ratios. The proposed evolutionary switching method could accurately and efficiently solve performance-based topology optimization problems.