Topological Shape Optimization Scheme for Nonlinear Structures Based on Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm

Abstract

This paper suggests a topological shape optimization scheme for nonlinear structures considering geometrically, materially and both geometrically and materially nonlinear cases based on an artificial bee colony algorithm (ABCA). To perform a topological shape optimization of nonlinear problems, a variable called “Improved Boundary Element Indicator (IBEI)” is introduced to define the boundary elements in each iteration. Typical examples consider three kinds of nonlinear cases, and it can be verified that the IBEI is suitable for topological shape optimization for linear and nonlinear structures. It can then be found that the suggested method can naturally create holes in the structure without any initial holes or topological sensitivity, although only the boundary elements are optimized. Finally, we conclude that convergence rate of the suggested ABCA is improved to more than 60% of the discrete level set method (LSM) and 5% of the ABCA for topology optimization (except for the geometrically nonlinear case).