Multi-material topology optimization of structures using peridynamics

Abstract

This study presents a multi-material topology optimization based on Peridynamics (PD). The conventional topology optimization mainly used a mesh-based numerical method, i.e., Finite Element (FE) method. Moving boundaries, large deformations, and cracks/damages are some limitations of the mesh-based numerical method. In this study, PD as a meshless method is proposed to employ in the topology optimization to remove limitations of the mesh-based topology optimization. The minimization of compliance, i.e., strain energy, is chosen as the objective function subjected to the volume constraint. The design variables are the relative density of the candidate materials defined at particles employing gradient based optimization approach. A filtering scheme is also adopted to avoid the checkerboard issue and maintain the optimization stability. The proposed approach is an alternative and powerful tool for multiple additive manufacturing in finding multi material optimal topologies of the structures with embedded crack.