Offshore Platform Topsides Structural Design: Using Topology Optimization to Generate Novel Design Concept

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongwei Li ◽  
Aimin Wang ◽  
Jonathan Wang ◽  
Otto Dasilva
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Structural Design ◽  
Strength Criterion ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Offshore Platform ◽  
Structural Element ◽  
Structural Shape ◽  
Ocean Environment ◽  
Geometric Arrangements ◽  
Novel Design

Abstract The paper presents topology optimization performed for the concept study of a semi-submersible platform topsides structure. The topsides truss system consisting of I beams carries the equipment payload and the environment loads. The structural weight needs to be reduced in order to maximize the allowable equipment weight, and the structural strength criterion must be satisfied for the harsh ocean environment. Topology optimization is a powerful tool to generate designs that optimally distribute the structural material for the balance between structural weight and strength. A finite-element-based topology optimization method assigns a density value to each structural element and updates this density value using topology optimization algorithms during each design iteration. Elements in the load-transferring path retain high density value at the end cycle and form an efficient structural shape under the given design load conditions and constraints. The topology optimization generated novel and optimal geometric arrangements for the topsides structure. Two corresponding innovative topsides truss concepts were developed. The new topsides designs were compared with an existing benchmark design for the structural weight and strength to demonstrates the advantages of topology optimization over conventional empirical approach for offshore platform topsides structural design. At the same strength level, the novel designs reduced the structural weight significantly. One novel design was selected for practical semi-submersible designs at Exmar Offshore Company.

Morphing Wing Structural Design Using Topology Optimization Method

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016.12 (0) ◽  
pp. 1206
Author(s):  
Akari TSUDA ◽  
Nozomu KOGISO ◽  
Takayuki YAMADA ◽  
Kazuhiro IZUI ◽  
Shinji NISHIWAKI
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Structural Design ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Morphing Wing ◽  
Topology Optimization Method

A Morphing Wing Structural Design Using Topology Optimization Method

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017.26 (0) ◽  
pp. 1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akari TSUDA ◽  
Nozomu KOGISO ◽  
Takayuki YAMADA ◽  
Kazuhiro IZUI ◽  
Shinji NISHIWAKI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Structural Design ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Morphing Wing ◽  
Topology Optimization Method

Application of topology optimization method for the gothic greenhouse design

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jalal Javadi Moghaddam ◽  
Davood Momeni ◽  
Ghasem Zarei
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Safety Factor ◽  
Structural Design ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Structure Strength ◽  
Structural Compliance

Purpose This research presents a design method for designing greenhouse structures based on topology optimization. Moreover, the structural design of a gothic greenhouse is proposed in which its structural strength has been improved by using this proposed method. In this method, the design of the structure is done mathematically; therefore, in the design process, more attention can be focused on the constraint space and boundary conditions. It was also shown how the static reliability and fatigue coefficients will change as a result of the design of the greenhouse structure with this method. Another purpose of this study is to find the weakest part of the greenhouse structure against lateral winds and other general loads on the greenhouse structure. Design/methodology/approach In the proposed method, the outer surface and the allowable volume as a constraint domain were considered. The desired loads can be located on the constraint domain. The topology optimization was used to minimize the mass and structural compliance as the objective function. The obtained volume was modified for simplifying the construction. The changes in the shape of the greenhouse structure were investigated by choosing three different penalty numbers for the topology optimization algorithm. The final design of the proposed structure was performed based on the total simultaneous critical loads on the structure. The results of the proposed method were compared in the order of different volume fractions. This showed that the volume fraction approach can significantly reduce the weight of the structure while maintaining its strength and stability. Findings Topology optimization results showed different strut and chords composition because of the changes in maximum mass limit and volume fraction. The results showed that the fatigue was more hazardous, and it decreased the strength of structure nearly three times more than a static analysis. Further, it was noticed that how the penalty numbers can affect topology optimization results. An optimal design based on topology optimization results was presented to improve the proposed greenhouse design against destruction and demolition. Furthermore, this study shows the most sensitive part of the greenhouse against the standard loads of wind, snow, and crop. Originality/value The obtained designs were compared with a conventional arch greenhouse, and then the structural performances were shown based on standard loads. The results showed that in designing the proposed structure, the optimized changes increased the structure strength against the standard loads compared to a simple arch greenhouse. Moreover, the stress safety factor and fatigue safety factor because of different designs of this structure were also compared with each other.

Parametric Structural Shape and Topology Optimization Method With Radial Basis Functions and Level-Set Method

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wei ◽  
Michael Yu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Radial Basis Functions ◽  
Level Set Method ◽  
Level Set ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Basis Functions ◽  
Structural Shape ◽  
Shape And Topology Optimization ◽  
And Topology ◽  
Topology Optimization Method

In this paper, a parametric structural shape and topology optimization method is presented. To solving structure optimization problems, the level-set method has become a powerful design tool and been widely used in many fields. Combined with the Radial Basis Functions (RBF), which is a popular tool in function approximation, the method of level-set can be represented in a parametric way with a set of advantages comparing with the conventional discrete means. Some numerical examples are presented to illustrate its advantages.

Optimization Design of Vehicle Frame Based on ANSYS

2012 ◽  
Vol 590 ◽  
pp. 341-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Hai Wu
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Structural Design ◽  
Optimization Design ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Variable Density ◽  
Safety Performance ◽  
Frame Structure ◽  
Ansys Software ◽  
Special Vehicle

A special vehicle frame as the research object, its topology optimization mathematical model and its algorithm is established based on variable density method. Topology optimization method of continuum structures is applied to the frame structural design of this special vehicle using Optistruct solver. Take the least flexibility of frame as design goal; topology optimization design of frame structure was carried under the condition of flexure, torsion and flexure-torsion. New structural model of frame was determined according to results of topology optimization and engineering experience. The calculation of the stress, deformation and the volume for optimization results was conducted with ANSYS software, and compared with the data before optimization. The results showed that the safety performance of optimized frame improved, and the weight reduced.

Design of Compliant Mechanisms of Distributed Compliance Using a Level-Set Based Topology Optimization Method

2011 ◽  
Vol 110-116 ◽  
pp. 2319-2323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
Zhen Luo
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Level Set ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Operator Splitting ◽  
Level Set Methods ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Energy Functional ◽  
Structural Shape ◽  
Geometric Size

This paper presents a level set-based structural shape and topology optimization for the design of compliant mechanisms. The design boundary of the compliant mechanism is implicitly represented as the zero level-set of a higher-dimensional level set surface. A quadratic energy functional is introduced to augment the objective function in order to control the structural geometric size of the resulting mechanism. The optimization is thus changed to a numerical process that describes the design as a sequence of motions by updating the implicit boundaries until the optimized structure is achieved under specified constraints. A semi-implicit scheme with an additive operator splitting (AOS) algorithm is used to solve the Hamilton-Jacobi partial differential equation (PDE) in the level set method. In doing so, it is expected that numerical difficulties in most conventional level set methods can be eliminated. The final mechanism is characterized with strip-like members able to generate distributed compliance, and so that to resolve the hinge problem long sought-after in the design of compliant mechanisms. Typical numerical case is used to evidence the effectiveness of this method in the design of monolithic compliant mechanisms.

Structural Shape Optimization Using an Adaptive Simulated Annealing

2010 ◽  
Vol 446 ◽  
pp. 101-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. El Alem ◽  
A. El Hami ◽  
Rachid Ellaia
Keyword(s):  
Global Optimization ◽  
Simulated Annealing ◽  
Structural Design ◽  
Simulated Annealing Algorithm ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Structural Shape ◽  
Structural Shape Optimization ◽  
Adaptive Simulated Annealing ◽  
Annealing Algorithm

In structural design optimization, numerical techniques are increasingly used. In typical structural optimization problems there may be many locally minimum configurations. For that reason, the application of a global method, which may escape from the locally minimum points, remain essential. In this paper, a new hybrid simulated annealing algorithm for global optimization with constraints is proposed. We have developed a new algorithm called Adaptive Simulated Annealing algorithm (ASA); ASA is a series of modifications done to the Basic Simulated Annealing algorithm ( BSA) that gives the region containing the global solution of an objective function. In addition, the stochastic method Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (SPSA), for solving unconstrained optimization problems, is used to refine the solution. We also propose Penalty SPSA (PSPSA) for solving constrained optimization problems. The constraints are handled using exterior point penalty functions. The proposed method is applicable for any problem where the topology of the structure is not fixed, it is simple and capable of handling problems subject to any number of nonlinear constraints. Extensive tests on the ASA as a global optimization method are presented, its performance as a viable optimization method is demonstrated by applying it first to a series of benchmark functions with 2 - 30 dimensions and then it is used in structural design to demonstrate its applicability and efficiency. It is found that the best results are obtained by ASA compared to those provided by the commercial software ANSYS.

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