Hierarchical optimization for topology design of multi-material compliant mechanisms. Issue 12 (2nd December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, N. F.; Hu, K.; Zhang, X. M.
• Is Part Of: Engineering optimization. Volume 49:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: 2013
• Page End: 2035
• Publication Date: 2017-12-02
• Subjects: Topology optimization -- genetic algorithm -- structural optimization -- compliant mechanism; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Mathematical optimization -- Periodicals; 620.0042
• DOI: 10.1080/0305215X.2016.1277062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-215X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Multi-material topology optimization enables potential design possibilities in the multiphysics and structural designing fields. In this article, a bi-level hierarchical optimization method is introduced to address the multi-material design of compliant mechanisms. The hierarchical optimization develops decomposition approaches allowing the original complex multi-material optimization problem to be reduced to set of low-order single-material optimization sub-problems. The solution of the complex multi-material problem is found as a vector of the single-material sub-problems solutions. All the local sub-problems are solved with the solid isotropic material with penalization method independently, and a stiffness spreading technique is worked out to coordinate components of the global solution of the original problem. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of this method.