An integrated workflow for design-informed structural optimization

Abstract

Structural optimization has become an important tool in the field of Civil Engineering, but there is limited research done on structural optimization of specific structures and components. This research study looks at developing a workflow for the design and analysis of structures using structural optimization to reduce the weight and cost, while keeping it safe under critical loading conditions. The Solid Isotropic Microstructure with Penalization (SIMP) for intermediate densities method is used for the topology optimization process, considering the minimum compliance as the objective function and the volume fraction as the constraint. The wheel loader arm is selected to demonstrate this workflow and commercially available software Abaqus FEA and SOLIDWORKS is used. Topology optimization of the arm is conducted using different volume constraints to identify the most optimum geometry comparing maximum von Mises stress, displacement, and mass with the original design. After the completion of the topology optimization process, Computer-Aided Design models are generated and shape optimization is conducted considering the different manufacturing constraints. The final optimized model has approximately 20% reduction of mass compared to the original structure, while stresses, displacement and strains are kept within the allowable limits in accordance with codes of practice.