Multi-objective topology optimization of periodic pile barriers with ambient body waves isolation performance

Abstract

The attenuation zones (AZs) of periodic pile barriers can be used to mitigate ambient vibration. To identify pile structures with optimal vibration isolation performance and minimal concrete consumption, this study adopts a multi-objective topology optimization (MOTO) procedure to optimize the periodic pile units for the isolation of plane waves. The optimized pile structures are presented, and the most cost-effective one is suggested. The effects of the AZ orders, the elastic modulus and the density of soil on the optimization results are investigated. By establishing numerical models, the vibration reduction performance of the optimized pile barriers in the frequency domain and time domain is verified.

Keywords:

• Periodic structure
• vibration isolation
• attenuation zone
• pile barrier
• multi-objective topology optimization

Data availability statement

Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Declaration of competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51878151) and the Foundation of China Scholarship Council (202006090360). The authors would like to thank Prof. Cancan Yang of McMaster University for her linguistic assistance during the preparation of this manuscript.