Topology Design Optimization and Experimental Validation of Heat Conduction Problems

Abstract

In this paper, we verify the optimal topology design for heat conduction problems in steady stated which is obtained numerically using the adjoint design sensitivity analysis(DSA) method. In adjoint variable method(AVM), the already factorized system matrix is utilized to obtain the adjoint solution so that its computation cost is trivial for the sensitivity. For the topology optimization, the design variables are parameterized into normalized bulk material densities. The objective function and constraint are the thermal compliance of the structure and the allowable volume, respectively. For the experimental validation of the optimal topology design, we compare the results with those that have identical volume but designed intuitively using a thermal imaging camera. To manufacture the optimal design, we apply a simple numerical method to convert it into point cloud data and perform CAD modeling using commercial reverse engineering software. Based on the CAD model, we manufacture the optimal topology design by CNC.