Topology optimization aided structural design: Interpretation, computational aspects and 3D printing

Abstract

Construction industry has a major impact on the environment that we spend most of our life. Therefore, it is important that the outcome of architectural intuition performs well and complies with the design requirements. Architects usually describe as “optimal design” their choice among a rather limited set of design alternatives, dictated by their experience and intuition. However, modern design of structures requires accounting for a great number of criteria derived from multiple disciplines, often of conflicting nature. Such criteria derived from structural engineering, eco-design, bioclimatic and acoustic performance. The resulting vast number of alternatives enhances the need for computer-aided architecture in order to increase the possibility of arriving at a more preferable solution. Therefore, the incorporation of smart, automatic tools in the design process, able to further guide designer’s intuition becomes even more indispensable. The principal aim of this study is to present possibilities to integrate automatic computational techniques related to topology optimization in the phase of intuition of civil structures as part of computer aided architectural design. In this direction, different aspects of a new computer aided architectural era related to the interpretation of the optimized designs, difficulties resulted from the increased computational effort and 3D printing capabilities are covered here in.

Optimizing Weight of Housing Elements of Two-stage Reducer by Using the Topology Management Optimization Capabilities Integrated in SOLIDWORKS: A Case Study

“…For finding the optimum layout of a structural system composed by linearly elastic isotropic material, the material distribution methods can be used [14]. The main question here is how to distribute material volume into domain Ω in order to minimize a specific criterion.…”

“…The surface tractions "t" are applied at region Γt; regions Γu represent the support conditions; regions Γs denote the non-optimizable areas; and Γo are the geometric boundaries of the design space Ω. For finding the optimum layout of a structural system composed by linearly elastic isotropic material, the material distribution methods can be used [14]. The main question here is how to distribute material volume into domain Ω in order to minimize a specific criterion.…”

“…The densities x take values in the range (0−1), where zero means no material in the specific point (s). A topology management optimization problem can be written in the general form as [14] minimize x ( ) = • ( ) subject to:…”

“…The third stage involves obtaining the basic topology optimized result after the FE analysis is performed. At this step, it is possible to adjust A topology management optimization problem can be written in the general form as [14] minimize x C(x) = F T ·u(x) subject to :…”

Computational Structural Engineering: Past Achievements and Future Challenges

“…3D-printed parts differ from traditionally manufactured parts because of the weak adhesion of vertical layers, a wide variety of printing parameter variables and the behavior of the outer surface, which performs differently than the interior geometry. 3D printing challenges the ways that FEA methods are traditionally employed to assess the structural adequacy of engineered models with the complex internal geometries of 3D printed parts and components (Kazakis et al, 2017). The simulation of 3D printing is a coupled problem, a complex process that may involve not only structural strength but also thermal interactions, phase changes and others.…”