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Structural topology optimization considering connectivity constraint

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Abstract

Topology optimization has been regarded as a powerful design approach for determining optimal topology of a structure to obtain desired functional performances within a defined design domain. Considering manufacturing process constraints in topology optimization becomes increasingly important due to its potential practical applications. In this paper, we propose a novel topology optimization model with manufacturing process related connectivity constraints. A generalized method, named as virtual scalar field method (VSFM), is developed for describing and enforcing desired connectivity constraint. As an illustrative example, the connectivity constraint can be converted to an equivalent maximum temperature constraint when temperature is chosen as the scalar field. The temperature constraint is then easily integrated and implemented in routine topology optimization. The simply-connected constraint, which excludes interior closed cavities and is representative of many advanced manufacturing techniques, e.g. additive manufacturing (AM) or casting, is used as an example to demonstrate the key ideas and the efficiency of the VSF method. Some numerical examples, which consider the connectivity constraint in topology optimization, are presented to show the validity of this method.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support to this work by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11332004 and 11172052), the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2011CB610304), the 111 Project (B14013), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (DUT15ZD101), and the Australian Research Council (Grant No DP140104408).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis for Industrial Equipment, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China

    Quhao Li, Wenjiong Chen & Shutian Liu

  2. School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia

    Liyong Tong

Authors
  1. Quhao Li
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  2. Wenjiong Chen
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  3. Shutian Liu
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  4. Liyong Tong
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shutian Liu.

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Li, Q., Chen, W., Liu, S. et al. Structural topology optimization considering connectivity constraint. Struct Multidisc Optim 54, 971–984 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-016-1459-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-016-1459-5

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