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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Comparison of robust, reliability-based and non-probabilistic topology optimization under uncertain loads and stress constraints

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Author(s):
da Silva, Gustavo Assis [1] ; Cardoso, Eduardo Lenz [2] ; Beck, Andre Teofilo [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Sch Engn, Dept Struct Engn, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Estado Santa Catarina, Dept Mech Engn, BR-89219710 Joinville, SC - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: PROBABILISTIC ENGINEERING MECHANICS; v. 59, JAN 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

It is nowadays widely acknowledged that optimal structural design should be robust with respect to the uncertainties in loads and material parameters. However, there are several alternatives to consider such uncertainties in structural optimization problems. This paper presents a comprehensive comparison between the results of three different approaches to topology optimization under uncertain loading, considering stress constraints: (1) the robust formulation, which requires only the mean and standard deviation of stresses at each element; (2) the reliability-based formulation, which imposes a reliability constraint on computed stresses; (3) the non-probabilistic formulation, which considers a worst-case scenario for the stresses caused by uncertain loads. The information required by each method, regarding the uncertain loads, and the uncertainty propagation approach used in each case is quite different. The robust formulation requires only mean and standard deviation of uncertain loads; stresses are computed via a first-order perturbation approach. The reliability-based formulation requires full probability distributions of random loads, reliability constraints are computed via a first-order performance measure approach. The non-probabilistic formulation is applicable for bounded uncertain loads; only lower and upper bounds are used, and worst-case stresses are computed via a nested optimization with anti-optimization. The three approaches are quite different in the handling of uncertainties; however, the basic topology optimization framework is the same: the traditional density approach is employed for material parameterization, while the augmented Lagrangian method is employed to solve the resulting problem, in order to handle the large number of stress constraints. Results are computed for two reference problems: similarities and differences between optimized topologies obtained with the three formulations are exploited and discussed. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 18/16701-1 - Topology optimization of compliant mechanisms considering manufacturing uncertainties and stress failure criterion
Grantee:Gustavo Assis da Silva
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral