Topology optimized adaptive structures

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present a topology optimization algorithm which uses the adaptive design principles to enable the creation of an integral adaptive system. It is shown on numerical examples that it is possible to optimize the topology of adaptive structures under multiple loading scenarios in such a way that structures will be created were in defined degrees of freedom, the deformations are minimized and the corresponding structural weight is significantly reduced in comparison to conventional truss structures. The resulting structures will be compared to the so called Michell-Structures as well and this shows that using adaptivity it is possible to create structures which are even lighter than those well known lightweight truss structures. Furthermore the capability of the optimization algorithm is proven by using a genetic algorithm to generate topology optimized truss structures as well.