Abstract
Thickness-controllable topology optimization is presented for three-dimensional problems using moving morphable patches. Geometric features of triangular patches were employed as design variables to enable the representation of shell-like members and beam or bar members with a small number of design components. The minimum thickness for mean compliance minimization problems can be controlled simply by setting the lower bound of thickness variables of the patches as the given minimum. Regarding the maximum thickness, the patches with close-to-maximum thicknesses were controlled to be connected on their sides or perfectly overlapped, for which a void mask is introduced on each patch, avoiding partial overlapping through their faces. Thus, the maximum thickness of a member was obtained as the maximum value of thickness variables of the patches consisting of the member. Therefore, the maximum thickness of members can be controlled by the upper bound of thickness variables. A constraint was imposed on the material volume of each patch to prevent partial overlapping or incomplete connection with other patches. The effectiveness of the proposed formulation was verified by showing various examples with minimum, maximum, and uniform thickness controls.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.