Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms Using the Improved Quadrilateral Discretization Model

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Avinash R. Mandala
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Optimal Topology ◽  
Stress Constraint ◽  
Discrete Topology ◽  
Sharp Corner ◽  
Material Utilization ◽  
Design Cell

The improved quadrilateral discretization model for the topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is introduced in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells and each quadrilateral design cell is further subdivided into triangular analysis cells. All kinds of dangling quadrilateral design cells and sharp-corner triangular analysis cells are removed in the improved quadrilateral discretization model to promote the material utilization. Every quadrilateral design cell or triangular analysis cell is either solid or void to implement the discrete topology optimization and eradicate the topology uncertainty caused by intermediate material states. The local stress constraint is directly imposed on each triangular analysis cell to make the synthesized compliant mechanism safe. The binary bit-array genetic algorithm is used to search for the optimal topology to circumvent the geometrical bias against the vertical design cells. Two topology optimization examples of compliant mechanisms are solved based on the proposed improved quadrilateral discretization model to verify its effectiveness.

Optimizing the Topologies of Compliant Mechanisms Using the Improved Modified Quadrilateral Discretization Model

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Venkata Krishna Perivilli ◽  
Praveen Chilukuri
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Optimal Topology ◽  
Stress Constraint ◽  
Discrete Topology ◽  
Sharp Corner ◽  
Material Utilization ◽  
Design Cell

The improved modified quadrilateral discretization model for the topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is introduced in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells and each quadrilateral design cell is further subdivided into 16 triangular analysis cells. All kinds of dangling full and half quadrilateral design cells and sharp-corner triangular analysis cells are removed in the improved modified quadrilateral discretization model to enhance the material utilization. Every quadrilateral design cell or triangular analysis cell is either solid or void to implement the discrete topology optimization and eradicate topology uncertainty caused by intermediate material states. The local stress constraint is directly imposed on each triangular analysis cell to make the synthesized compliant mechanism safe. The binary bit-array genetic algorithm is used to search for the optimal topology to circumvent the geometrical bias against the vertical design cells. Two topology optimization examples of compliant mechanisms are solved based on the proposed improved modified quadrilateral discretization model to verify its effectiveness.

The Improved Hybrid Discretization Model for the Discrete Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Nisar Ahmed ◽  
Avinash Uttha
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Optimal Topology ◽  
Stress Constraint ◽  
Discrete Topology ◽  
Material State ◽  
Material Utilization ◽  
Hybrid Discretization ◽  
Design Cell

In the discrete topology optimization, material state is either solid or void and there is no topology uncertainty problem caused by any intermediate material state. In this paper, the improved hybrid discretization model is introduced for the discrete topology optimization of compliant mechanisms. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells and each quadrilateral design cell is further subdivided into triangular analysis cells. The dangling and redundant solid design cells are removed from topology solutions in the improved hybrid discretization model to promote the material utilization. To make the designed compliant mechanisms safe, the local stress constraint is directly imposed on each triangular analysis cell. To circumvent the geometrical bias against the vertical design cells, the binary bit-array genetic algorithm is used to search for the optimal topology. Two topology optimization examples of compliant mechanisms are solved based on the proposed improved hybrid discretization model to verify its effectiveness.

The Improved Quadrilateral Discretization Model for the Discrete Topology Optimization of Structures

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Anil K. Annepu
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Optimal Topology ◽  
Stress Constraint ◽  
Discrete Topology ◽  
Sharp Corner ◽  
Material State ◽  
Material Utilization ◽  
Design Cell

In the discrete topology optimization, material state is either solid or void and there is no topology uncertainty problem caused by intermediate material state. In this paper, the improved quadrilateral discretization model is introduced for the discrete topology optimization of structures. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells and each quadrilateral design cell is further subdivided into 16 triangular analysis cells. All kinds of dangling quadrilateral design cells and sharp-corner triangular analysis cells are removed in the improved quadrilateral discretization model to promote the material utilization. To make the designed structures safe, the local stress constraint is directly imposed on each triangular analysis cell. To circumvent the geometrical bias against the vertical design cells, the binary bit-array genetic algorithm is used to search for the optimal topology. The effectiveness of the proposed improved quadrilateral discretization model and its related discrete topology optimization method is verified by two topology optimization examples of structures.

The Discrete Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Chandrasekhar M. Ayyalasomayajula
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Optimal Topology ◽  
Stress Constraint ◽  
Discrete Topology ◽  
Outer Corner ◽  
Material State ◽  
Corner Filling ◽  
Design Cell

In the discrete topology optimization, material state is either solid or void and there is no topology uncertainty problem caused by intermediate material state. The outer corner cutting and inner corner filling strategy is introduced in this paper for the discrete topology optimization of compliant mechanisms. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells and every quadrilateral design cell is further subdivided into triangular analysis cells. All outer and inner corners are eliminated with the corner handling strategy. To make the designed compliant mechanisms safe, the local stress constraint is directly imposed on each triangular analysis cell. To circumvent the geometrical bias against the vertical design cells, the binary bit-array genetic algorithm is used to search for the optimal topology. Two topology optimization examples of compliant mechanisms are solved based on the proposed corner handling strategy and subdivision approach.

The Modified Quadrilateral Discretization Model for the Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Pranjal P. Killekar
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Stress Constraint ◽  
Cell Problem ◽  
Design Variables ◽  
Design Cell

The modified quadrilateral discretization model for the topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is introduced in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells. There is a certain location shift between two neighboring rows of quadrilateral design cells. This modified quadrilateral discretization model allows any two contiguous design cells to share an edge whether they are in the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction. Point connection is completely eliminated. In the proposed topology optimization method, design variables are all binary, and every design cell is either solid or void to prevent gray cell problem that is usually caused by intermediate material states. Local stress constraint is directly imposed on each analysis cell to make the synthesized compliant mechanism safe. Genetic algorithm is used to search the optimum. No postprocessing is required for topology uncertainty caused by either point connection or gray cell. The presented modified quadrilateral discretization model and the proposed topology optimization procedure are demonstrated by two synthesis examples of compliant mechanisms.

The Discrete Topology Optimization of Structures Using the Improved Hybrid Discretization Model

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Rutesh B. Patil
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Optimal Topology ◽  
Stress Constraint ◽  
Design Domain ◽  
Discrete Topology ◽  
Material State ◽  
Hybrid Discretization ◽  
Design Cell

In the discrete topology optimization, material state is either solid or void and there is no topology uncertainty caused by any intermediate material state. In this paper, the improved hybrid discretization model is introduced for the discrete topology optimization of structures. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells and each quadrilateral design cell is further subdivided into triangular analysis cells. The dangling and redundant solid design cells are completely eliminated from topology solutions in the improved hybrid discretization model to avoid sharp protrusions. The local stress constraint is directly imposed on each triangular analysis cell to make the designed structure safe. The binary bit-array genetic algorithm is used to search for the optimal topology to circumvent the geometrical bias against the vertical design cells. The presented discrete topology optimization procedure is illustrated by two topology optimization examples of structures.

The Discrete Topology Optimization of Structures Using the Modified Quadrilateral Discretization Model

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Ravinder G. Malela
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Optimal Topology ◽  
Stress Constraint ◽  
Discrete Topology ◽  
Cell Problem ◽  
Design Variables ◽  
Design Cell

The modified quadrilateral discretization model is introduced for the discrete topology optimization of structures in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells. There is a certain location shift between two neighboring rows of quadrilateral design cells. This modified quadrilateral discretization model allows any two contiguous design cells to share an edge whether they are in the horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction. Point connection is eradicated. In the proposed discrete topology optimization method of structures, design variables are all binary and every design cell is either solid or void to prevent grey cell problem that is caused by intermediate material states. Local stress constraint is directly imposed on each analysis cell to make the optimized structure safe. The binary bit-array genetic algorithm is used to search for the optimal topology to circumvent the geometrical bias against the vertical design cells. No postprocessing is needed for topology uncertainty caused by point connection or grey cell. The presented discrete topology optimization procedure is illustrated by two topology optimization examples of structures.

The Modified Quadrilateral Discretization Model for the Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Pranjal P. Killekar
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Initial Guess ◽  
Stress Constraint ◽  
Design Variables ◽  
Conduct Sensitivity Analysis

The modified quadrilateral discretization model for the topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is introduced in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells. There is a certain location shift between two neighboring rows of quadrilateral design cells. This modified quadrilateral discretization model allows any two contiguous design cells to share an edge whether they are in the horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction. Point connection is completely eliminated. In the proposed topology optimization method, design variables are all binary and every design cell is either solid or void to prevent grey cell problem that is usually caused by intermediate material states. Local stress constraint is directly imposed on each analysis cell to make the synthesized compliant mechanism safe. Genetic algorithm is used to search the optimum and avoid the need to select the initial guess solution and conduct sensitivity analysis. No postprocessing is needed for topology uncertainty caused by point connection or grey cell. The presented modified quadrilateral discretization model and the proposed topology optimization procedure are demonstrated by two synthesis examples of compliant mechanisms.

Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms Using Hybrid Discretization Model

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Diagonal Element ◽  
Initial Guess ◽  
Stress Constraint ◽  
Design Variables ◽  
Hybrid Discretization

The hybrid discretization model for topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is introduced in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells. Each design cell is further subdivided into triangular analysis cells. This hybrid discretization model allows any two contiguous design cells to be connected by four triangular analysis cells whether they are in the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction. Topological anomalies such as checkerboard patterns, diagonal element chains, and de facto hinges are completely eliminated. In the proposed topology optimization method, design variables are all binary, and every analysis cell is either solid or void to prevent the gray cell problem that is usually caused by intermediate material states. Stress constraint is directly imposed on each analysis cell to make the synthesized compliant mechanism safe. Genetic algorithm is used to search the optimum and to avoid the need to choose the initial guess solution and conduct sensitivity analysis. The obtained topology solutions have no point connection, unsmooth boundary, and zigzag member. No post-processing is needed for topology uncertainty caused by point connection or a gray cell. The introduced hybrid discretization model and the proposed topology optimization procedure are illustrated by two classical synthesis examples of compliant mechanisms.

The Comparision of Hybrid and Quadrilateral Discretization Models for the Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Nitin M. Dhembare
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Structural Members ◽  
Constraint Violation ◽  
Local Connection ◽  
Hybrid Discretization ◽  
Local Topology ◽  
Design Cell

The design domain of a synthesized compliant mechanism is discretized into quadrilateral design cells in both hybrid and quadrilateral discretization models. However, quadrilateral discretization model allows for point connection between two diagonal design cells. Hybrid discretization model completely eliminates point connection by subdividing each quadrilateral design cell into triangular analysis cells and connecting any two contiguous quadrilateral design cells using four triangular analysis cells. When point connection is detected and suppressed in quadrilateral discretization, the local topology search space is dramatically reduced and slant structural members are serrated. In hybrid discretization, all potential local connection directions are utilized for topology optimization and any structural members can be smooth whether they are in the horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction. To compare the performance of hybrid and quadrilateral discretizations, the same design and analysis cells, genetic algorithm parameters, constraint violation penalties are employed for both discretization models. The advantages of hybrid discretization over quadrilateral discretization are obvious from the results of two classical synthesis examples of compliant mechanisms.

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