Inverse homogenization using isogeometric shape optimization

Finding periodic microstructures with optimal elastic properties is usually tackled by a highly resolved, regular finite element model and solid isotropic material penalization. This procedure not only has many advantages, but also requires a comparably high computational effort and challenges in representing stresses accurately. Therefore, an isogeometric shape optimization approach is applied to the inverse homogenization problem and combined with a reconstruction procedure for nearly optimal rank-3 laminates, which provides an efficient solution strategy with more accurate stress modelling. This allows to investigate the sensitivity of optimized microstructures in terms of stress concentrations. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.