CMA-ES-based topology optimization accelerated by spectral level-set-boundary modeling

Topology optimization commonly encounters several challenges, such as ill-posedness, grayscale issues, interdependencies among design variables, multimodality, , and the curse of dimensionality. . Furthermore, addressing the latter two concurrently presents considerable difficulty. In this study, we introduce a framework aimed at mitigating all the above obstacles simultaneously. . The objective is to achieve optimal configurations in a notably reduced timeframe eliminating the need for the initial trial-and-error iterations. The topology optimization approach we propose is implemented via precise structural boundary modeling utilizing a body-fitted mesh generated using a Fourier series expanded level-set method. This methodology expedites the exploration of optimal solutions. We employ the covariance matrix adaptation-evolution strategy to address multimodality, thereby enhancing the optimization process. The implementation of the Fourier- series-expanded level-set method reduces the number of design variables while maintaining accuracy in finite-element analyses by replacing design variables from discretized level-set functions with the coefficients of the Fourier series expansion. To facilitate the exploration of optimal solutions, a method is also introduced for handling box constraints through an adaptive penalty function. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, we address three distinct problems: mean compliance minimization, heat flux manipulation, and the control of electromagnetic wave scattering. Despite each system being governed by different equa- tions, topology optimization method consistently yields notable acceleration in computational efficiency across all scenarios, and remarkably without requiring initial guesses.