A level set method for structural topology optimization and its applications

Abstract

The level set method for structural topology optimization has been proposed and studied recently, which is basically a steepest descent method by combining the shape sensitivity analysis with the Hamilton–Jacobi equation for moving the level-set function, for doing topology design of structures. The paper considers the multi-material and multi-constraint problems, and investigates the topology optimization algorithm by using the different material representation models, and broadens its application from stiff structure designs and compliant mechanism designs to material designs by a number of benchmark examples. Meanwhile in order to further improve computational efficiency and overcome the difficulty that the level set method cannot generate new material interfaces during the optimization process, the multi-material topological derivative analysis is incorporated into the level set method for topological optimization.