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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


Structural Optimization with Topology Optimization of Complex Civil Engineering Structures

Translated title

Struktural optimering med topologi optimering af komplekse civil inginiørkonstruktioner

Author

Term

4. term

Publication year

2012

Submitted on

Pages

105

Abstract

Dette speciale undersøger topologioptimering – en metode til at finde den bedst mulige materialefordeling i en konstruktion inden for givne rammer – ved hjælp af to kommercielle programmer (Abaqus/CAE og Altair OptiStruct), begge anvendt med SIMP-metoden. Først præsenteres grundlæggende teori og en kort historisk gennemgang af feltet. Herefter gennemføres tre optimeringer med stigende kompleksitet. De to programmer vurderes ud fra bl.a. de opnåede topologier, eftergivelighed (compliance, et mål for stivhed) og beregningstid, hvilket giver et overblik over deres funktionalitet. Metoden anvendes dernæst på to anlægsrelevante konstruktioner: 1) et overgangsstykke til en offshore vindmølle, hvor to størrelser i CRC-beton optimeres med en rotationsbegrænsning, så designet kan modstå laster fra flere retninger, og 2) en fodgængerbro over en motorvej, undersøgt gennem fire topologioptimeringer med en egenfrekvensbegrænsning for at imødekomme vibrationskrav. Formålet er at give praktisk indsigt i, hvad de to programmer kan, og hvordan SIMP-baseret topologioptimering kan støtte tidlig designudformning.

This thesis examines topology optimization—a method for finding the best material layout within a design space under given loads and constraints—using two commercial programs (Abaqus/CAE and Altair OptiStruct) with the SIMP approach. It begins with the fundamental theory and a brief historical review. Three optimization cases of increasing complexity are then carried out. The two tools are evaluated by resulting topologies, structural performance (compliance, a measure related to stiffness), and computation time, providing an overview of their functionality. The method is subsequently applied to two civil engineering structures: (1) a transition piece for an offshore wind turbine, where two sizes in CRC concrete are optimized with a rotation constraint so the design can resist loads from multiple directions, and (2) a pedestrian footbridge over a freeway, studied through four topology optimizations with an eigenfrequency constraint to address vibration requirements. The goal is to offer practical insight into what each program can do and how SIMP-based topology optimization can support early-stage design.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]