Topology optimization considering body forces

¹ School of Mechatronics Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
² Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA

Corresponding author: gea@rutgers.edu

Received: 5 September 2008
Accepted: 7 January 2009

Abstract

In this paper, topology optimization problems with three types of body forces are considered: gravitational force, centrifugal force and inertia force. All these body forces are design dependent as they vary with the redistribution of materials during topology optimization process. In this study, a total mean compliance formulation is used to produce the stiffest structure under both external and body forces. Sensitivity analysis is carried out by the adjoint method. Finally, de-sign examples are presented and compared to show the effects of body forces on the optimized results.