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Topology optimization for crashworthiness of thin-walled structures under axial impact using hybrid cellular automata

Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization volume 54, pages 415–428 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Although topology optimization is well established in most engineering fields, it is still in its infancy concerning highly non-linear structural applications like vehicular crashworthiness. One of the approaches recently proposed and based on Hybrid Cellular Automata is modified here such that it can be applied for the first time to thin-walled structures. Classical methods based on voxel techniques, i.e., on solid three-dimensional volume elements, cannot derive structures made from thin metal sheets where the main energy absorption mode is related to plastic buckling, folding and failure. Because the main components of car structures are made from such thin-walled beams and panels, a special approach using SFE CONCEPT was developed, which is presented in this paper.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank SFE GmbH in Berlin and Queen Mary University of London for their financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Computational Mechancis, Faculty of Civil, Geo, and Environmental Engineering, Technische Universität München, Arcisstr. 21, 80333, Munich, Germany

    Fabian Duddeck, Pablo Lozano, Erich Wehrle & Duo Zeng

  2. School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK

    Stephan Hunkeler

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  1. Fabian Duddeck
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  2. Stephan Hunkeler
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  3. Pablo Lozano
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  4. Erich Wehrle
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  5. Duo Zeng
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Correspondence to Fabian Duddeck.

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Duddeck, F., Hunkeler, S., Lozano, P. et al. Topology optimization for crashworthiness of thin-walled structures under axial impact using hybrid cellular automata. Struct Multidisc Optim 54, 415–428 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-016-1445-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-016-1445-y

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