International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 40, pp. 3033-3057
Authors: Colby C. Swan and Iku KosakaPublication Date: 1997
Abstract:
The desired results of variable topology material layout computations are stable and discrete material distributions that optimize the performance of structural systems. To achieve such material layout designs a continuous topology design framework based on hybrid combinations of classical Reuss (compliant) and Voigt (sti ) mixing rules is investigated. To avoid checker boarding instabilities, the continuous topology optimization formulation is coupled with a novel spatial ltering procedure. The issue of obtaining globally optimal discrete layout designs with the proposed formulation is investigated using a continuation method which gradually transitions from the sti Voigt formulation to the compliant Reuss formulation. The very good performance of the proposed methods is demonstrated on four structural topology design optimization problems from the literature. ? 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.