Abstract
In some cases, topology optimization of continuum structures subjected to applied loads having a zero resultant force may result in an unpractical design without support. This phenomenon occurs because the original optimization problem neglects the possible change of the direction of applied load. This brief note sheds the light on avoiding such an unpractical design from the engineering viewpoint. In our work, this usually neglected phenomenon is systematically illustrated by employing a series of two-dimensional (2D) cantilever design problems using a simple and efficient Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization (BESO) method. An alternative scheme is further recommended to tackle the concerned conundrum. The proposed scheme not only can avoid unpractical designs without any support, but also takes into account the inherent uncertainty property in designing actual engineering structures.
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Acknowledgements
The first author is partially supported by the scholarship No. 201506130053 of China Scholarship Council. This work was supported jointly by the project of “Chair Professor of Lotus Scholars Program” in Hunan province, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11672104) and the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars in China (No. 11225212). The authors also would like to thank the support from the Collaborative Innovation Center of Intelligent New Energy Vehicle, and the Hunan Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Car.
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Liu, J., Wen, G. & Huang, X. To avoid unpractical optimal design without support. Struct Multidisc Optim 56, 1589–1595 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-017-1720-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-017-1720-6