Hierarchical optimization for topology design of multi-material compliant mechanisms

ABSTRACT

Multi-material topology optimization enables potential design possibilities in the multiphysics and structural designing fields. In this article, a bi-level hierarchical optimization method is introduced to address the multi-material design of compliant mechanisms. The hierarchical optimization develops decomposition approaches allowing the original complex multi-material optimization problem to be reduced to set of low-order single-material optimization sub-problems. The solution of the complex multi-material problem is found as a vector of the single-material sub-problems solutions. All the local sub-problems are solved with the solid isotropic material with penalization method independently, and a stiffness spreading technique is worked out to coordinate components of the global solution of the original problem. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of this method.

KEYWORDS:

• Topology optimization
• genetic algorithm
• structural optimization
• compliant mechanism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant Nos 51575187 and 91223201]; the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou [Grant No. 2014Y2-00217]; the Science and Technology Major Project of Huangpu District of Guangzhou [20150000661]; the Research Project of State Key Laboratory of Mechanical Systems and Vibration [MSV201405]; the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central University [Fund No. 2015ZZ007]; and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province [S2013030013355].