• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2007

This paper presents a modified and improved bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method for topology optimization. A sensitivity filter which has been used in other optimization methods is introduced into BESO so that the design solutions become mesh-independent. To improve the convergence of the optimization process, the sensitivity number considers its historical information. Numerical examples show the effectiveness of the modified BESO method in obtaining convergent and mesh-independent solutions. A study of the effects of various BESO parameters on the solution is then conducted to determine the appropriate values for these parameters.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.4
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• pp.463-479
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• 2020

This paper is aimed to address a simultaneous optimization of the size, shape, and topology of steel lattice towers through a combination of the radial basis function (RBF) neural networks and the artificial bee colony (ABC) metaheuristic algorithm to reduce the computational time because mere metaheuristic optimization algorithms require much time for calculations. To verify the results, use has been made of the CIGRE Tower and a 132 kV transmission towers as numerical examples both based on the design requirements of the ASCE10-97, and the size, shape, and topology have been optimized (in both cases) once by the RBF neural network and once by the MSTOWER analyzer. A comparison of the results shows that the neural network-based method has been able to yield acceptable results through much less computational time.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2021

This study introduces a topology optimization method for the simultaneous design of macro-scale structural configuration and unit structure variation to ensure effective heat conduction. Shape changes in the unit structure depending on its location within the macro-scale structure result in micro- as well as macro-scale design and enable better performance than using isotropic unit structures. They result in functionally graded composite structures combining both configurations. The representative volume element (RVE) method is applied to obtain various thermal conductivity properties of the multi-material based unit structure according to its shape change. Based on the RVE analysis results, the material properties of the unit structure having a certain shape can be derived using machine learning. Macro-scale topology optimization is performed using the traditional solid isotropic material with penalization method, while the unit structures composing the macro-structure can have various shapes to improve the heat conduction performance according to the simultaneous optimization process. Numerical examples of the thermal compliance minimization issue are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.439-454
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• 2013

Hollow cylindrical tubes with a prismatic sandwich lining designed to replace the solid cross-sections are studied in this paper. The sections are divided by a number of revolving periodic unit cells and three topologies of unit cells (Square, Triangle and Kagome) are proposed. Some types of multiple-topology designed materials are also studied. The feasibility and accuracy of a homogenization method for obtaining the equivalent parameters are investigated. As the curved elements of a unit cell are represented by straight elements in the method and the ratios of the lengths of the curved elements to the lengths of the straight elements vary with the changing number of unit cells, some errors may be introduced. The frequencies of the first five modes and responses of the complete and equivalent models under an internal static pressure and an internal step pressure are compared for investigating the scope of applications of the method. The lower bounds and upper bounds of the number of Square, Triangular and Kagome cells in the sections are obtained. It is shown that treating the multiple-topology designed materials as a separate-layer structure is more accurate than treating the structure as a whole.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.06c
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• pp.531-536
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• 2001

The structural shape optimization is a useful tool for engineers to determine the shape of a structure. During the optimization process, relocations of nodes happen successively. However, excessive movement of nodes often results in the mesh distortion and eventually deteriorates the accuracy of the optimum solution. To overcome this problem, an efficient method for the shape optimization has been developed. The method starts from the design domain which is large enough to hold the possible shape of the structure. The design domain has pre-defined uniform fine meshes. At every cycle, the method judges whether all the elements are inside of the structure or not. Elements inside of the structure are assigned with real material properties, however elements outside of the structure are assigned with nearly zero values. The performance of the method is evaluated through various examples.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.211-216
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• 2023

When designing ships and aircraft structures, it is important to design them to satisfy weight reduction and strength. Currently, studies related to topology optimization using 3D printed composite materials are being actively conducted to satisfy the weight reduction and strength of the structure. In this study, structural analysis was performed to analyze the applicability of 3D printed composite materials to the flight control surface, one of the parts of an aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicle. The optimal topology shape of the flight control surface for the bending load was analyzed by considering three types (hexagonal, rectangular, triangular) of the topology shape of the flight control surface. In addition, the bending strength of the flight control surface was analyzed when four types of reinforcing materials (carbon fiber, glass fiber, high-strength high-temperature glass fiber, and kevlar) of the 3D printed composite material were applied. As a result of comparing the three-point bending test results with the finite element method results, it was confirmed that the flight control surface with hexagonal topology shape made of carbon fiber and Kevlar had excellent performance. And it is judged that the 3D printed composite can be sufficiently applied to the flight control surface.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1356-1363
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• 2009

The aim of this research is to construct eigenfrequency optimization codes for plates with Arbitrary Rank Microstructures. From among noise factors, resonance sound is main reason for floor's solid noise. But, Resonance-elusion design codes are not fixed so far. Besides, The prediction of composite material's capability and an resonance elusion by controlling natural frequency of plate depend on designer's experiences. In this paper, First, using computer program with arbitrary rank microstructure, variation on composite material properties is studied, and then natural frequency control is performed by plate topology optimization method. The results of this study are as followed. 1) Programs that calculate material properties along it's microstructure composition and control natural frequency on composite material plate are coded by Homogenization and Topology Optimization method. and it is examined by example problem. 2) Equivalent material properties, calculated by program, are examined for natural frequency. In this paper, Suggested programs are coded using $Matlab^{TM}$, Feapmax and Feap Library with Homogenization and Topology Optimization method. and Adequacy of them is reviewed by performing the maximization or minimization of natural frequency for plates with isotropic or anisotropic materials. Since the programs has been designed for widely use. If the mechanism between composite material and other structural member is identified, extension application may be possible in field of structure maintenance, reinforcement etc. through application of composite material.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.715-725
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• 2018

Truss-Z (TZ) is an Extremely Modular System (EMS). Such systems allow for creation of structurally sound free-form structures, are comprised of as few types of modules as possible, and are not constrained by a regular tessellation of space. Their objective is to create spatial structures in given environments connecting given terminals without self-intersections and obstacle-intersections. TZ is a skeletal modular system for creating free-form pedestrian ramps and ramp networks. The previous research on TZ focused on global discrete geometric optimization of the spatial configuration of modules. This paper reports on the first attempts at structural optimization of the module for a single-branch TZ. The internal topology and the sizing of module beams are subject to optimization. An important challenge is that the module is to be universal: it must be designed for the worst case scenario, as defined by the module position within a TZ branch and the geometric configuration of the branch itself. There are four variations of each module, and the number of unique TZ configurations grows exponentially with the branch length. The aim is to obtain minimum-mass modules with the von Mises equivalent stress constrained under certain design load. The resulting modules are further evaluated also in terms of the typical structural criterion of compliance.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.797-804
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• 2016

The vehicle-mounted radar system (VMRS) including its electronic parts must be designed so that its performance is maintained under varying environmental conditions. The important aspects are typically weight and safety. Since many rotating VMRSs have been developed, discussion about the vibration and shock requirements for the transportation conditions has occurred: in addition, the dynamic unpaved, paved, and off-road effects have been emphasized with respect to lightweight designs. A lightweight-design VMRS should be capable of operating stably under the wind condition with the support of the vehicle structure. In this paper, a structural analysis regarding the support of the VMRS is performed, whereby the real-load conditions for three types of road and pressure were employed in terms of the wind condition. The structural analysis for the safety of the VMRS is performed, and the structural-integrity analytical processes of the VMRS are presented for different load conditions.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.191-196
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• 2022

In this study, the anisotropic mechanical property of fused deposition modeling three-dimensional (3D) printing based on lamination direction was verified by a tensile test. Moreover, the property was applied to solid isotropic materials with penalization-based topology optimization. The case of the lower control arm, one of the automotive suspension components, was considered as a benchmark problem. The optimal topological results varied depending on the external load and anisotropic property. Based on these results, two test specimens were fabricated by varying the lamination direction of 3D printing; a tensile test utilizing 3D non-contact strain gauge was also conducted. The measured strain was compared with that obtained by computer-aided engineering response analysis. Quantitatively, the measurement and analysis results are found to have good agreement. The effectiveness of topology optimization considering the lamination direction of 3D printing was confirmed by the experimental result.