Integrated layout design of supports and structures

Based on the previously proposed techniques for the integrated layout optimization of multi-component system, this paper is to demonstrate further developments and applications of the related techniques in the integrated layout design of supports and structures. The design procedure mainly consists of two parts. Firstly, the layout of the supports is described with the positions of movable support components on the specified boundary of the design domain. These components are partially embedded into the design domain and subjected to the applied boundary conditions. Secondly, the layout optimization of the support components and the structure is carried out. Locations of the support components and the pseudo-densities defined on the density points are assumed as geometrical and topological design variables, respectively. Geometrical constraints are imposed to avoid the overlap of multiple components. The technique of embedded meshing is employed to adapt the topology optimization to the variation of the finite element mesh caused by the component movement. Varieties of numerical examples are finally tested to validate the proposed method. Both surface load and self-weight load are taken into account. More complexities of partially supported components are introduced in the presented examples. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.