Topology optimization of material‐nonlinear continuum structures by the element connectivity parameterization

Abstract

AbstractThe application of the element density‐based topology optimization method to nonlinear continuum structures is limited to relatively simple problems such as bilinear elastoplastic material problems. Furthermore, it is very difficult to use analytic sensitivity when a commercial nonlinear finite element code is used. As an alternative to the element density formulation, the element connectivity parameterization (ECP) formulation is developed for the topology optimization of isotropic‐hardening elastoplastic or hyperelastic continua by using commercial software. ECP varies the stiffness of zero‐length linear elastic links that connect design domain‐discretizing finite elements. Unloading was not considered. But the advantages of ECP in material‐nonlinear problems were demonstrated: considerably simple analytic sensitivity calculation using a commercial code and simple link stiffness penalization regardless of nonlinear material behaviour. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.