Topology optimization of thermoelastic structures: mean compliance minimization or elastic strain energy minimization

In this work, two different formulations that minimize the mean compliance and elastic strain energy of a structure as the objective function are comparatively investigated for topology optimization of thermoelastic problems. As thermal load is a design-dependent load compared with mechanical load, the particularity of the problem and the difference between both formulations are highlighted in terms of sensitivity analysis and related optimization results based on numerical tests. The concept of load sensitivity is used to interpret quantitatively the underlying influences of thermal and mechanical loads upon optimized results in both formulations.