Evolutionary topology optimization of continuum structures including design-dependent self-weight loads

Abstract

The effectiveness and efficiency of the Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization (BESO) method has been demonstrated on the minimization compliance problem with fixed external loads. This paper considers the minimization of mean compliance for continuum structure subjected to design-dependent self-weight loads. Due to the non-monotonous behaviour for this type of the optimization problems, the extended BESO method using discrete design variables has its difficulty to obtain convergent solutions for such problems. In this paper, a new BESO method is developed based on the sensitivity number computation utilizing an alternative material interpolation scheme. A number of examples are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed method for achieving convergent optimal solutions for structures including self-weight loads.