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Explicit structural topology optimization using moving wide Bezier components with constrained ends

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Abstract

This paper presents a structural topology optimization method using moving wide Bezier components with constrained ends. In the proposed method, components which are determined by using Bezier curves with a certain width are regarded as design units. These wide Bezier curves are represented by using level set functions. The control points of such wide Bezier curves are taken as design variables. In addition, based on that principle, in order to form one single connected load-bearing structure, the loading, supporting, and/or some other functional interactions must be connected. This is achieved by constraining the ends of the utilized wide Bezier curves which can essentially avoid any structurally invalid designs and thereby smooth the optimization process. The validity of the proposed method is tested on the stiffness and the compliant mechanisms design problem.

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Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51975216, 51820105007), the scholarship provided by JSPS (The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science), the Pearl River Nova Program of Guangzhou (201906010061), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangdong Key Laboratory of Precision Equipment and Manufacturing Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    Benliang Zhu, Rixin Wang, Nianfeng Wang & Xianmin Zhang

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan

    Benliang Zhu, Hao Li & Shinji Nishiwaki

Authors
  1. Benliang Zhu
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  2. Rixin Wang
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  3. Nianfeng Wang
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  4. Hao Li
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  5. Xianmin Zhang
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  6. Shinji Nishiwaki
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rixin Wang.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Replication of results

The current work has participated in some confidential projects. Although the specific codes cannot be disclosed at present, readers can contact meblzhu@scut.edu.cn to obtain the basic code for educational purpose only. The details of the proposed method and the necessary parameters are all included in the paper, so the readers may also reproduce the results by modifying the standard moving morphable component (MMC) program.

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Responsible Editor: Xu Guo

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Zhu, B., Wang, R., Wang, N. et al. Explicit structural topology optimization using moving wide Bezier components with constrained ends. Struct Multidisc Optim 64, 53–70 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-021-02853-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-021-02853-y

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