Topology optimization of thermoelastic structures using the guide-weight method

Abstract

The guide-weight method is introduced to solve the topology optimization problems of thermoelastic structures in this paper. First, the solid isotropic microstructure with penalization (SIMP) with different penalty factors is selected as a material interpolation model for the thermal and mechanical fields. The general criteria of the guide-weight method is then presented. Two types of iteration formulas of the guide-weight method are applied to the topology optimization of thermoelastic structures, one of which is to minimize the mean compliance of the structure with material constraint, whereas the other one is to minimize the total weight with displacement constraint. For each type of problem, sensitivity analysis is conducted based on SIMP model. Finally, four classical 2-dimensional numerical examples and a 3-dimensional numerical example considering the thermal field are selected to perform calculation. The factors that affect the optimal topology are discussed, and the performance of the guide-weight method is tested. The results show that the guide-weight method has the advantages of simple iterative formula, fast convergence and relatively clear topology result.