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Article
Structural Topology Optimization: Moving Beyond Linear Elastic Design Objectives
20th Analysis and Computation Specialty Conference
  • James K. Guest, Johns Hopkins University
  • Reza Lotfi, Johns Hopkins University
  • Andrew T. Gaynor, Johns Hopkins University
  • Mehdi Jalalpour, Cleveland State University
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Abstract

Topology optimization is a systematic, free-form approach to the design of structures. It simultaneously optimizes material quantities and system connectivity, enabling the discovery of new, high-performance structural concepts. While powerful, this design freedom has a tendency to produce solutions that are unrealizable or impractical from a structural engineering perspective. Examples include overly complex topologies that are expensive to construct and ultra-slender subsystems that may be overly susceptible to imperfections. This paper summarizes recent tools developed by the authors capable of mitigating these shortcomings through consideration of (1) constructability, (2) nonlinear mechanics, and (3) uncertainties.

Comments

Paper presented at Structures Congress 2012; March 29-31, 2012, Chicago, Illinois, United States.

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CMMI-0928613 with Dr. Christina Bloebaum serving as program officer.

DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/9780784412374.022
Version
Postprint
Citation Information
Guest, J.K., Lotfi, R., Gaynor, A., Jalalpour, M., "Structural topology optimization - moving beyond linear elastic design objectives", Structures Congress 2012; March 29-31, 2012, Chicago, Illinois, p. 245-256.