Design optimization of composite structures composed of dissimilar materials based on a free-form optimization method

Design optimization of composite structures has been a significant topic of research over the recent years. In the present work, we propose a developed free-form optimization method for designing the shape of composite structures composed of dissimilar materials (A and B). In this shape design optimization, we use compliance as the objective function and minimize it under two volume constraints (total volume and volume of material A). According to the proposed free-form optimization method, we theoretically derive the shape gradient function used in the compliance minimization problem, and determine the optimal interface and surface shapes of composite structures under external loading or body force without any shape parameterization. The optimal results of numerical examples show that the compliance of composite structures composed of dissimilar materials can be significantly reduced by using the proposed free-form optimization method. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.