Journal of Mechanics

Table of Contents - December 2003 - Volume 19, Issue 04  

Articles

Topology Optimization of Elastic-Plastic Structures

L. J. Leua1 c1, C. W. Huanga1 c2 and J. J. Choua1 c3

a1 Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C.

ABSTRACT

The evolutionary structural optimization method is improved and extended to elastic-plastic topology optimization for the first time. An adaptive rejection ratio is proposed to control the number of removal elements without destroying the symmetric pattern in each evolution. Two performance indices suitable for elastic-plastic topology optimization are also proposed and examined. The performance indices can be used to investigate the material efficiency of structures in different evolutionary stages, and to serve as stop criteria in the evolutionary process. Moreover, an interactive special purpose computer analysis and graphics system is developed to visualize the topology in the evolutionary process. Finally, the effects of yield stress, Young's modulus, and the prescribed displacement in an elastic-plastic analysis on the obtained topology are discussed.

(Received April 11 2003)

(Accepted August 28 2003)

Keywords:

  • Topology optimization;
  • Evolutionary structural optimization;
  • Elastic-plastic.

Correspondence:

c1 Professor

c2 Postdoctor Researcher

c3 Formerly Graduate student