A Parametric Level Set Method for Topology Optimization Based on Deep Neural Network

Abstract

Abstract This paper proposes a new parametric level set method for topology optimization based on deep neural network (DNN). In this method, the fully connected DNN is incorporated into the conventional level set methods to construct an effective approach for structural topology optimization. The implicit function of level set is described by fully connected DNNs. A DNN-based level set optimization method is proposed, where the Hamilton–Jacobi partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into parametrized ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The zero-level set of implicit function is updated through updating the weights and biases of networks. The parametrized reinitialization is applied periodically to prevent the implicit function from being too steep or too flat in the vicinity of its zero-level set. The proposed method is implemented in the framework of minimum compliance, which is a well-known benchmark for topology optimization. In practice, designers desire to have multiple design options, where they can choose a better conceptual design base on their design experience. One of the major advantages of the DNN-based level set method is capable to generate diverse and competitive designs with different network architectures. Several numerical examples are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed DNN-based level set method.