New Projection Methods for Two-Phase Minimum and Maximum Length Scale Control in Topology Optimization

Abstract

Projection-based algorithms for continuum topology optimization have received considerable attention in recent years due to their ability to control minimum length scale in a computationally efficient manner. This not only provides a means for imposing manufacturing length scale constraints, but also circumvents numerical instabilities of solution mesh dependence and checkerboard patterns. This research aims at embedding the minimum and maximum length scale requirement into the projection methodology used for material distribution approaches to topology optimization. The proposed algorithms for two-phase minimum and solid maximum length scale requirements are demonstrated on benchmark minimum compliance problems and are shown to satisfy the length scale constraints imposed.