A simple reliability-based topology optimization approach for continuum structures using a topology description function

The structural configuration obtained by deterministic topology optimization may represent a low reliability level and lead to a high failure rate. Therefore, it is necessary to take reliability into account for topology optimization. By integrating reliability analysis into topology optimization problems, a simple reliability-based topology optimization (RBTO) methodology for continuum structures is investigated in this article. The two-layer nesting involved in RBTO, which is time consuming, is decoupled by the use of a particular optimization procedure. A topology description function approach (TOTDF) and a first order reliability method are employed for topology optimization and reliability calculation, respectively. The problem of the non-smoothness inherent in TOTDF is dealt with using two different smoothed Heaviside functions and the corresponding topologies are compared. Numerical examples demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed improved method. In-depth discussions are also presented on the influence of different structural reliability indices on the final layout.