Isogeometric Analysis for Topology Optimization with a Phase Field Model

Abstract

We consider a phase field model for the formulation and solution of topology optimization problems in the minimum compliance case. In this model, the optimal topology is obtained as the steady state of the phase transition described by the generalized Cahn-Hilliard equation which naturally embeds the volume constraint on the amount of material available for distribution in the design domain. We reformulate the model as a coupled system and we highlight the dependency of the optimal topologies on dimensionless parameters; also, we discuss the issue of mesh dependency of the solution. We consider Isogeometric Analysis for the spatial approximation which facilitates encapsulating the exactness of the representation of the design domain in the topology optimization and is particularly suitable for the analysis of phase field problems. We demonstrate the validity of the approach and numerical approximation by solving two and three dimensional topology optimization problems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA555345

Entities

People

  • L. Dede
  • Michael J. Borden
  • Thomas J.R. Hughes

Organizations

  • University of Texas at Austin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Computational Science
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Elastic Properties
  • Equations
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Geometry
  • Linear Systems
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Military Research
  • Optimization
  • Phase Transformations
  • Steady State
  • Topology
  • Topology Optimization

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
  • Parallel and Distributed Computing.