• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2018

In this study, a mixed-interpolated tensorial component 4 nodes method (MITC4) is treated as a numerical analysis model for topology optimization using multiple materials assigned within Reissner-Mindlin plates. Multi-material optimal topology and shape are produced as alternative plate retrofit designs to provide reasonable material assignments based on stress distributions. Element density distribution contours of mixing multiple material densities are linked to Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) as a design model. Mathematical formulation of multi-material topology optimization problem solving minimum compliance is an alternating active-phase algorithm with the Gauss-Seidel version as an optimization model of optimality criteria. Numerical examples illustrate the reliability and accuracy of the present design method for multi-material topology optimization with Reissner-Mindlin plates using MITC4 elements and steel materials.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.365-374
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• 2023

This paper presents a new scheme for constructing locking-free finite elements in thick and thin plates, called Discrete Shear Gap element (DSG), using multiphase material topology optimization for triangular elements of Reissner-Mindlin plates. Besides, common methods are also presented in this article, such as quadrilateral element (Q4) and reduced integration method. Moreover, when the plate gets too thin, the transverse shear-locking problem arises. To avoid that phenomenon, the stabilized discrete shear gap technique is utilized in the DSG3 system stiffness matrix formulation. The accuracy and efficiency of DSG are demonstrated by the numerical examples, and many superior properties are presented, such as being a strong competitor to the common kind of Q4 elements in the static topology optimization and its computed results are confirmed against those derived from the three-node triangular element, and other existing solutions.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.249-257
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• 2018

This study contributes to evaluate multiphase topology optimization design of plate-like elastic structures with constant thickness and Reissner-Mindlin plate theory. Stiffness and adjoint sensitivity formulations linked to Reissner-Mindlin plate potential energy of bending and shear are derived in terms of multiphase design variables. Multiphase optimization problem is solved through alternative active-phase algorithm with Gauss-Seidel version as an optimization model of optimality criteria. Numerical examples verify efficiency and diversity of the present topology optimization method of Reissner-Mindlin elastic plates depending on multiphase and Poisson's ratio.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.583-597
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• 2023

This paper introduces a novel approach to multi-material topology optimization (MTO) targeting in-plane bi-directional functionally graded (IBFG) non-uniform thickness Reissner-Mindlin plates, employing an alternative active phase approach. The mathematical formulation integrates a first shear deformation theory (FSDT) to address compliance minimization as the objective function. Through an alternating active-phase algorithm in conjunction with the block Gauss-Seidel method, the study transforms a multi-phase topology optimization challenge with multi-volume fraction constraints into multiple binary phase sub-problems, each with a single volume fraction constraint. The investigation focuses on IBFG materials that incorporate adequate local bulk and shear moduli to enhance the precision of material interactions. Furthermore, the well-established mixed interpolation of tensorial components 4-node elements (MITC4) is harnessed to tackle shear-locking issues inherent in thin plate models. The study meticulously presents detailed mathematical formulations for IBFG plates in the MTO framework, underscored by numerous numerical examples demonstrating the method's efficiency and reliability.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.793-808
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• 2014

The goal of this study is to evaluate and design steel plates with optimal material distributions achieved through a specific material topology optimization by using a CCARAT (Computer Aided Research Analysis Tool) as an optimizer, topologically optimally updating node densities as design variables. In typical material topology optimization, optimal topology and layouts are described by distributing element densities (from almost 0 to 1), which are arithmetic means of node densities. The average element densities are employed as material properties of each element in finite element analysis. CCARAT may deal with material topology optimization to address the mean compliance problem of structural mechanical problems. This consists of three computational steps: finite element analysis, sensitivity analysis, and optimality criteria optimizer updating node densities. The present node density based design via CCARAT using node densities as design variables removes jagged optimal layouts and checkerboard patterns, which are disadvantages of classical material topology optimization using element densities as design variables. Numerical applications that topologically optimize reinforcement material distribution of steel plates of a cantilever type are studied to verify the numerical superiority of the present node density based design via CCARAT.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2018

This study contributes to evaluate multiphase topology optimization design of plate-like structures on elastic foundations by using classic plate theory. Multi-material optimal topology and shape are produced as an alternative to provide reasonable material assignments based on stress distributions. Multi-material topology optimization problem is solved through an alternative active-phase algorithm with Gauss-Seidel version as an optimization model of optimality criteria. Stiffness and adjoint sensitivity formulations linked to thin plate potential strain energy are derived in terms of multiphase design variables and Winkler-Pasternak parameters considering elastic foundation to apply to the current topology optimization. Numerical examples verify efficiency and diversity of the present topology optimization method of elastic thin plates depending on multiple materials and Winkler-Pasternak parameters with the same amount of volume fraction and total structural volume.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.771-783
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• 2018

In this paper, topology optimization (TO) is applied to find a new configuration for the perforated steel plate shear wall (PSPSW) based on the maximization of reaction forces as the objective function. An infill steel plate is introduced based on an experimental model for TO. The TO is conducted using the sensitivity analysis, the method of moving asymptotes and SIMP method. TO is done using a nonlinear analysis (geometry and material) considering the buckling. The final area of the optimized plate is equal to 50% of the infill plate. Three plate thicknesses and three length-to-height ratios are defined and their effects are investigated in the TO. It indicates the plate thickness has no significant impact on the optimization results. The nonlinear behavior of optimized plates under cyclic loading is studied and the strength, energy and fracture tendency of them are investigated. Also, four steel plates including infill plate, a plate with a central circle and two types of the multi-circle plate are introduced with equal plate volume for comparing with the results of the optimized plate.

• 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.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.129-145
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• 2020

In typical, structural topology optimization plays a significant role to both increase stiffness and save mass of structures in the resulting design. This study contributes to a new numerical approach of topologically optimal design of Mindlin-Reissner plates considering Winkler foundation and mathematical formulations of multi-directional variable thickness of the plate by using multi-materials. While achieving optimal multi-material topologies of the plate with multi-directional variable thickness, the weight information of structures in terms of effective utilization of the material at the appropriate thickness location may be provided for engineers and designers of structures. Besides, numerical techniques of the well-established mixed interpolation of tensorial components 4 element (MITC4) is utilized to overcome a well-known shear locking problem occurring to thin plate models. The well-founded mathematical formulation of topology optimization problem with variable thickness Mindlin-Reissner plate structures by using multiple materials is derived in detail as one of main achievements of this article. Numerical examples verify that variable thickness Mindlin-Reissner plates on Winkler foundation have a significant effect on topologically optimal multi-material design results.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.335-342
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• 2005

Using higher order Mindlin plates and piezoelectric materials, eigenvalue problems are considered. Since piezoelectric crystal resonators produce a proper amount of electric signal for a thickness-shear frequency, the objective is to decouple the thickness-shear mode from the others. Design variables are the bulk material densities corresponding to the mass of masking plates for electrodes. The design sensitivity expressions for the thickness-shear frequency and mode shape vector are derived using direct differentiation method(DDM). Using the developed design sensitivity analysis (DSA) method, we formulate a topology optimization problem whose objective function is to maximize the thickness-shear component of strain energy density at the thickness-shear mode. Constraints are the allowable volume and area of masking plate. Numerical examples show that the optimal design yields an improved mode shape and thickness-shear energy.