Metamodeling approach for concurrent optimization considering structural topology and its circumstances of mechanical component

Abstract

Conventional topology optimization method only optimizes a single machine component structure while its circumstances are fixed. Concurrent optimization of topology and circumstances widens the effective range of topology optimization in mechanical design. We have developed a method for the concurrent optimization, which includes problem decomposition and metamodeling. However, the method requires further verification, especially, for cases where a relationship between circumstance variables and results of topology optimization becomes complex. In this research, we examine whether the method can be successfully applied to complex case if a metamodeling approach is switched. Case studies of three kinds of metamodeling techniques are performed. In the case studies, we test following metamodeling approaches: polynomial approximation, radial basis function(RBF) interpolation, polynomial approximation with spatial reduction. It shows that the proposed method can be applied even for complex cases by appropriate selection of metamodeling.