On nonunique solutions in topology optimization

Abstract.

This paper deals with the problem of non-unique solutions in topology optimization. Depending on the optimization path, the solutions, in other words the topologies of a structure, are different. The nonuniqueness problem in topology optimization is presented in connection with the testing of different lower material mass value bounding functions and the use of different material properties updating functions and different threshold functions. The structure strain energy minimum criterion is applied to find the optimum topology. A comparison of the topologies obtained from the energy criterion point of view is made.