Predicting the Benefits of Topology Optimization

, Proceedings of the ASME 2015 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Volume 2A: 41st Design Automation Conference

Recommended citation: Deng, Shiguang and Krishnan Suresh. Proceedings of the ASME 2015 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Volume 2A: 41st Design Automation Conference. Boston, Massachusetts, USA. August 2–5, 2015.

Abstract: Topology optimization is a systematic method of generating designs that maximize specific objectives. While it offers significant benefits over traditional shape optimization, topology optimization can be computationally demanding and laborious. Even a simple 3D compliance optimization can take several hours. Further, the optimized topology must typically be manually interpreted and translated into a CAD-friendly and manufacturing friendly design. This poses a predicament: given an initial design, should one optimize its topology? In this paper, we propose a simple metric for predicting the benefits of topology optimization. The metric is derived by exploiting the concept of topological sensitivity, and is computed via a finite element swapping method. The efficacy of the metric is illustrated through numerical examples.