• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.157-162
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• 2007

A new level set based topology optimization employing inner-front creation algorithm is presented. In the conventional level set based topology optimization, the optimum topology strongly depends on the initial level set distribution due to the incapability of inner-front creation during optimization process. In the present work, in this regard, an inner-front creation algorithm is proposed. in which the sizes. shapes. positions, and number of new inner-fronts during the optimization process can be globally and consistently identified by considering both the value of a given criterion for inner-front creation and the occupied volume (area) of material domain. To facilitate the inner-front creation process, the inner-front creation map which corresponds to the discrete valued criterion of inner-front creation is applied to the level set function. In order to regularize the design domain during the optimization process, the edge smoothing is carried out by solving the edge smoothing partial differential equation (PDE). Updating the level set function during the optimization process, in the present work, the least-squares finite element method (LSFEM) is employed. As demonstrative examples for the flexibility and usefulness of the proposed method. the level set based topology optimization considering lightweight design of 3D shell structure is carried out.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1180-1187
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• 2007

In the present work, topology optimization method using adaptive inner-front level set method is presented. In the conventional level set based topology optimization method, there exists an incapability for inner-front creation during optimization process. In this regard, as a new attempt to avoid and to overcome the limitation, an inner-front creation algorithm is proposed. In the inner-front creation algorithm, the strain energy density of a structure along with volume constraint is considered. Especially, to facilitate the inner-front creation process during the optimization process, the inner-front creation map which corresponds to the discrete valued function of strain energy density is constructed. In the evolution of the level set function during the optimization process, the least-squares finite element method (LSFEM) is employed. As an application to shell structures, the lightweight design of doubly curved shell and segmented mirror is carried out.