Topology optimization for submerged buoyant structures

Autor(es)

Picelli, R. ; van Dijk, R. ; Vicente, W. M. ; Pavanello, R. ; Langelaar, M. ; van Keulen, F.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ENGINEERING OPTIMIZATION; v. 49, n. 1, p. 1-21, JAN 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 6

Resumo

This paper presents an evolutionary structural topology optimization method for the design of completely submerged buoyant modules with design-dependent fluid pressure loading. This type of structure is used to support offshore rig installation and pipeline transportation at all water depths. The proposed optimization method seeks to identify the buoy design that has the highest stiffness, allowing it to withstand deepwater pressure, uses the least material and has a minimum prescribed buoyancy. Laplace's equation is used to simulate underwater fluid pressure, and a polymer buoyancy module is considered to be linearly elastic. Both domains are solved with the finite element method. Using an extended bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method, the design-dependent pressure loads are modelled in a straightforward manner without any need for pressure surface parametrization. A new buoyancy inequality constraint sets a minimum required buoyancy effect, measured by the joint volume of the structure and its interior voids. Solid elements with low strain energy are iteratively removed from the initial design domain until a certain prescribed volume fraction. A test case is described to validate the optimization problem, and a buoy design problem is used to explore the features of the proposed method. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/08293-7 - CECC - Centro de Engenharia e Ciências Computacionais
• Beneficiário: Munir Salomao Skaf
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão - CEPIDs
• Processo FAPESP: 11/09730-6 - Otimização Estrutural Evolucionária em Problemas de Interação Fluido-Estrutura
• Beneficiário: Renato Picelli Sanches
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado