Topology optimization for additive manufacturing of CFRP structures

Combining design optimization and additive manufacturing (AM) enables the full exploitation of the potential for heightening the performance of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) structures. This study simultaneously conducts topology optimization and fiber path design by employing the radial basis function (RBF) based level set function (LSF). Fiber paths are determined instinctively for the inherent advantages of the LSF, and fiber orientations are parameterized accordingly. Manufacturing drawbacks such as gaps and overlaps can be avoided by introducing a fast-marching method. To verify the effectiveness of the optimization method, three groups of optimized and empirical designs are fabricated by the AM technique, respectively, and the experimental tests are further carried out. Finite element (FE) models are also reconstructed based on the printing schemes, and then the FE simulation is validated by the experimental tests. With the proposed optimization method, stiffnesses for all three groups of the optimal samples are significantly improved compared with the empirical counterparts. The FE modeling technique is capable of reproducing the experimental results. This study paves a new way to develop an integrated framework of optimization, additive manufacturing, experimentation, and validation to deliver high-performance CFRP structures.