GPU-based Element-by-Element Strategies for Accelerating Topology Optimization of 3D Continuum Structures Using Unstructured All-Hexahedral Mesh

Author(s):  
Shashi Kant Ratnakar ◽  
Subhajit Sanfui ◽  
Deepak Sharma

Abstract Topology optimization has been successful in generating optimal topologies of various structures arising in real-world applications. Since these applications can have complex and large domains, topology optimization suffers from a high computational cost because of the use of unstructured meshes for discretization of these domains and their finite element analysis (FEA). This paper addresses this challenge by developing three GPU-based element-by-element strategies targeting unstructured all-hexahedral mesh for the matrix-free precondition conjugate gradient (PCG) finite element solver. These strategies mainly perform sparse matrix multiplication (SpMV) arising with the FEA solver by allocating more compute threads of GPU per element. Moreover, the strategies are developed to use shared memory of GPU for efficient memory transactions. The proposed strategies are tested with solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) method on four examples of 3D structural topology optimization. Results demonstrate that the proposed strategies achieve speedup up to 8.2× over the standard GPU-based SpMV strategies from the literature.

Author(s):  
Saurabh Srivastava ◽  
Sachin Salunkhe ◽  
Sarang Pande ◽  
Bhavin Kapadiya

Steering knuckle connects steering system, suspension system and braking system to the chassis. The steering knuckle contributes a significant weight to the total weight of a vehicle. Increasing the efficiency of an automobile without compromising the performances is the major challenge faced by the manufacturers. This paper presents an effective topology optimization of steering knuckle used in a vehicle with the primary objective of minimizing weight. The study on optimization of knuckle is divided into two phases, the first phase involves making of a computer-aided design model of the original steering knuckle and carry out finite element analysis on the knuckle by estimating the loads, which are acting on the component. In the second phase, design optimization of the model of steering knuckle is carried out, and excess material is removed at the region where induced stress is negligible as obtained in finite element analysis assuming standard boundary and loading conditions. The paper describes a research work carried out to optimize structural topology giving the essential details. The methodology may be applied to optimize structural components used in applications where the ratio of desired properties to the cost, generally in terms of weight, is to be optimized. In the case of automobiles, strength to weight ratio has to be maximized. New researchers working in the area will have an understanding of the procedures, and further, the techniques may be applied to design in general.


Author(s):  
Wei Song ◽  
Hae Chang Gea ◽  
Ren-Jye Yang ◽  
Ching-Hung Chuang

In finite element analysis, inertia relief solves the response of an unconstrained structure subject to constant or slowly varying external loads with static analysis computational cost. It is very attractive to utilize it in topology optimization to design structures under unbalanced loads, such as in impact and drop phenomena. In this paper, regional strain energy formulation and inertia relief is integrated into topology optimization to design protective structure under unbalanced loads. For background, the equations of inertia relief are introduced and a commonly used solving method is revisited. Then the regional strain energy formulation for topology optimization with inertia relief is proposed and its sensitivity is derived from the adjoint method. Based on the solving method, the sensitivity is evaluated term by term to simplify the results. The simplified sensitivity can be calculated easily using the output of commercial finite element packages. Finally, the effectiveness of this formulation is shown in the first example and the proposed regional strain energy formulation for topology optimization with inertia relief are presented and discussed in the protective structure design examples.


2014 ◽  
Vol 532 ◽  
pp. 466-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Fei ◽  
Xing Kun Wang ◽  
Wen Min Liu

Turntable is the main bearing component of truck crane, its structural-load-carrying capacity influences the operational capability directly. This paper adopts the HyperWorks software to make topology optimization for the turntable structure of QY70G truck crane, and carry out the finite element analysis and comparison for the models before and after optimization, which provides an effective method to improve the turntable structure of truck crane. Turntable is one of the important components of truck crane,it bears hoist boom、lifting、luffing mechanism and bob-weight and so on, it is the transfer center of truck crane when it works, the structure will directly affect the lifting performance of the machine. But, the rotary table structure design is affected by the vehicle shape size and installation and space layout. The traditional design method is based the experience of analogy to check by finite element software, it is difficult to get the design scheme which meets the requirements given above and own better strength and stiffness, it also have the disadvantages of long design cycle and large workload. This article is based on the finite element method and structural topology optimal idea, by means of HyperWorks-OptiStruct, makes finite element analysis for the turntable structure of certain QY70G truck crane, and carries on the structural topology in the condition of setted installation location and space, in order to obtain the ideal design plan.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Zheng ◽  
Yi Cai ◽  
Kelun Tang

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to realize the lightweight of connecting rod and meet the requirements of low energy consumption and vibration. Based on the structural design of the original connecting rod, the finite element analysis was conducted to reduce the weight and increase the natural frequencies, so as to reduce materials consumption and improve the energy efficiency of internal combustion engine. Design/methodology/approach The finite element analysis, structural optimization design and topology optimization of the connecting rod are applied. Efficient hybrid method is deployed: static and modal analysis; and structure re-design of the connecting rod based on topology optimization. Findings After the optimization of the connecting rod, the weight is reduced from 1.7907 to 1.4875 kg, with a reduction of 16.93%. The maximum equivalent stress of the optimized connecting rod is 183.97 MPa and that of the original structure is 217.18 MPa, with the reduction of 15.62%. The first, second and third natural frequencies of the optimized connecting rod are increased by 8.89%, 8.85% and 11.09%, respectively. Through the finite element analysis and based on the lightweight, the maximum equivalent stress is reduced and the low-order natural frequency is increased. Originality/value This paper presents an optimization method on the connecting rod structure. Based on the statics and modal analysis of the connecting rod and combined with the topology optimization, the size of the connecting rod is improved, and the static and dynamic characteristics of the optimized connecting rod are improved.


Micromachines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingrui Lv ◽  
Guilian Wang ◽  
Bin Li ◽  
Haibo Zhou ◽  
Yahui Hu

This paper describes the innovative design of a three-dimensional (3D) motion device based on a flexible mechanism, which is used primarily to produce accurate and fast micro-displacement. For example, the rapid contact and separation of the tool and the workpiece are realized by the operation of the 3D motion device in the machining process. This paper mainly concerns the device performance. A theoretical model for the static performance of the device was established using the matrix-based compliance modeling (MCM) method, and the static characteristics of the device were numerically simulated by finite element analysis (FEA). The Lagrangian principle and the finite element analysis method for device dynamics are used for prediction to obtain the natural frequency of the device. Under no-load conditions, the dynamic response performance and linear motion performance of the three directions were tested and analyzed with different input signals, and three sets of vibration trajectories were obtained. Finally, the scratching experiment was carried out. The detection of the workpiece reveals a pronounced periodic texture on the surface, which verifies that the vibration device can generate an ideal 3D vibration trajectory.


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