Topology optimization of continuum structures considering damage based on independent continuous mapping method

Abstract

Continuum topology optimization usually produces results similar to a skeleton structure. In addition, material utilization in the optimized structure is greatly improved compared with the original structure. On the other hand, the redundancy of the structure is greatly reduced due to the removed material. Partial local failure in the optimized structure makes it more difficult for the entire structure to meet strength/stiffness requirements. Using the independent continuous mapping (ICM) method, with minimal weight as the objective and both stress and displacement as the respective constraints, continuum topology optimization models which also consider damage can be employed. A dual-sequence quadratic programming (DSQP) algorithm was used in this work to solve such topology optimization models. Numerical examples confirmed the effectiveness and feasibility of the models. The results indicated that both good load path and weight reduction can be obtained. In addition, compared with the structure obtained using conventional topology optimization, redundancy is greatly improved, and the strength/stiffness requirements for the structure can be satisfied for each damage scenario. Furthermore, the results indicate that the strength/stiffness of the structure, after topology optimization, is only slightly sensitive to local damage.