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A new hole insertion method for level set based structural topology optimization
Author(s) -
Dunning Peter D.,
Alicia Kim H.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/nme.4384
Subject(s) - topology optimization , set (abstract data type) , topology (electrical circuits) , boundary (topology) , function (biology) , level set method , dimension (graph theory) , computer science , mathematical optimization , level set (data structures) , algorithm , mathematics , engineering , finite element method , artificial intelligence , mathematical analysis , structural engineering , pure mathematics , combinatorics , segmentation , evolutionary biology , image segmentation , biology , programming language
SUMMARY Structural shape and topology optimization using level set functions is becoming increasingly popular. However, traditional methods do not naturally allow for new hole creation and solutions can be dependent on the initial design. Various methods have been proposed that enable new hole insertion; however, the link between hole insertion and boundary optimization can be unclear. The new method presented in this paper utilizes a secondary level set function that represents a pseudo third dimension in two‐dimensional problems to facilitate new hole insertion. The update of the secondary function is connected to the primary level set function forming a meaningful link between boundary optimization and hole creation. The performance of the method is investigated to identify suitable parameters that produce good solutions for a range of problems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.