Optimal selection of topologies for the minimum-weight design of continuum structures with stress constraints

• Published in: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part C, Journal of mechanical engineering science Vol. 213; no. 8; pp. 755 - 762
• Main Authors: Liang, Q Q, Xie, Y M, Steven, G P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.08.1999; Mechanical Engineering Publications; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Computational techniques; Exact sciences and technology; Finite-element and galerkin methods; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Mathematical methods in physics; Physics; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Structural mechanics (beam, string...); Theory and numerical methods; evolutionary structural optimization; performance index; stress constraint; finite element analysis; topology; Finite element method; Structural design; Stress analysis; Evolutionary algorithm; Optimization method; Continuum mechanics; Numerical method; Topology; Cantilever beam
• ISSN: 0954-4062; 2041-2983
• DOI: 10.1243/0954406991522374

Abstract This paper presents a method for assisting the optimal selection of topologies for the minimum-weight design of continuum structures subject to stress constraints by using the performance index (PI). A performance index is developed for evaluating the efficiency of structural topologies based on the scaling design approach. This performance index is incorporated in the evolutionary structural optimization (ESO) method to monitor the optimization process when gradually removing inefficient material from the structure. The optimal topology can be identified from the performance index history. Various structures with stress and height constraints are investigated by using this performance index, which is also employed to compare the efficiency of structural topologies generated by different optimization methods. It is shown that the proposed performance index is capable of measuring the efficiency of structural topologies obtained by various structural optimization methods and is a valuable design tool for engineers in selecting optimal topologies in structural design.