Optimal selection of topologies for the minimum-weight design of continuum structures with stress constraints

Abstract

This paper presents a method for assisting the optimal selection of topologies for the minimum-weight design of continuum structures subject to stress constraints by using the performance index (PI). A performance index is developed for evaluating the efficiency of structural topologies based on the scaling design approach. This performance index is incorporated in the evolutionary structural optimization (ESO) method to monitor the optimization process when gradually removing inefficient material from the structure. The optimal topology can be identified from the performance index history. Various structures with stress and height constraints are investigated by using this performance index, which is also employed to compare the efficiency of structural topologies generated by different optimization methods. It is shown that the proposed performance index is capable of measuring the efficiency of structural topologies obtained by various structural optimization methods and is a valuable design tool for engineers in selecting optimal topologies in structural design.