Layout design of thin-walled structures with lattices and stiffeners using multi-material topology optimization

In this paper, the thin-walled structures with lattices and stiffeners manufactured by additive manufacturing are investigated. A design method based on the multi-material topology optimization is proposed for the simultaneous layout optimization of the lattices and stiffeners in thin-walled structures. First, the representative lattice units of the selected lattices are equivalent to the virtual homogeneous materials whose effective elastic matrixes are achieved by the energy-based homogenization method. Meanwhile, the stiffeners are modelled using the solid material. Subsequently, the multi-material topology optimization formulation is established for both the virtual homogeneous materials and solid material to minimize the structural compliance under mass constraint. Thus, the optimal layout of both the lattices and stiffeners could be simultaneously attained by the optimization procedure. Two applications, the aircraft panel structure and the equipment mounting plate, are dealt with to demonstrate the detailed design procedure and reveal the effect of the proposed method. According to numerical comparisons and experimental results, the thin-walled structures with lattices and stiffeners have significant advantages over the traditional stiffened thin-walled structures and lattice sandwich structures in terms of static, dynamic and anti-instability performance.     

部件级多组件结构系统的整体式拓扑布局优化

基于多组件结构系统整体式拓扑布局优化设计方法,研究了同时含有部件布局、组件布局、主结构框架构型和部件结构构型4类设计变量的复杂系统协同优化设计问题,是整体式拓扑布局优化设计面向复杂飞行器结构系统设计的拓展。采用多点约束(MPC)模拟组件、部件及支撑结构之间的刚性连接,采用有限包络圆方法(FCM)解决组件之间、组件与设计域边界之间的几何干涉问题。通过整体式拓扑布局的刚度优化设计,部件和组件均可以获得优化的布局位置,同时主结构框架构型和部件结构构型获得优化的结构样式,充分体现了整体式拓扑布局优化设计方法应用于复杂结构系统设计的能力。     

Battery package design optimization for small electric aircraft

The increasing gross weight of electric Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) poses a challenge in practical applications. The range and endurance of the electric UAV are limited by the fixed mass of the battery package. In this work, a design optimization method for the battery package topology of small electric UAV is proposed to enhance the performance. To improve the accuracy of the method, the dynamic battery model and simplified electric component models are presented. These models are utilized by the trajectory optimization method, which takes the dynamic characteristic into consideration to calculate the aircraft performance. The direct optimal control method is used for solving the trajectory optimization problem, and this method is tested on a small blended-wing-body electric aircraft. The test result shows that the range and energy-consumption are mainly influenced by the parallel topology of the battery package, while the flight time in climb phase is more sensitive to the series topology. It is deduced that the range- and energy-optimal design points can be considered concurrently in design optimization. The work proves the feasibility of integrating the trajectory optimization and battery package design.     

Simultaneous optimization of structure together with attached tuned mass dampers considering dynamic performance

Tuned Mass Dampers(TMDs) are often attached to a main structure to reduce vibration, and the TMDs’ positions are important to affect the structural dynamic performance. However, the TMDs’ positions and the material layout of the structure act on each other. This paper suggests a design optimization method by combining the topology optimization of the main structure and the layout of the attached TMDs under harmonic excitations. The main structure with the attached TMDs are modeled by the continu...     

考虑阻尼性能的复合结构多尺度拓扑优化设计

最优阻尼复合结构应该是阻尼材料自身的材料性能和阻尼材料在板壳结构上的分布形态均是最优的。针对板壳阻尼复合结构的多尺度设计问题,建立了基于非比例阻尼模型的复合结构多尺度拓扑优化方法,实现了阻尼材料在宏微观两尺度上的协同设计,同时获得最优的阻尼材料宏观分布形态和微观构型。以结构模态阻尼比为目标,分别研究了复合结构的单目标和多目标多尺度设计问题。结果表明,在单目标设计中,当最大化结构的某一阶模态阻尼比时,优化后结构的该阶模态阻尼比最大,同时结构在该阶处的频率响应最小;在多目标设计中,以结构前3阶模态阻尼比之和为目标,虽然在每一阶处的性能劣于单目标设计结果,但是结构前3阶模态阻尼比的总体性能更优。同时,从微结构的构型可得,最优的微结构构型中低刚度高阻尼材料的分布相互连接,其损失模量（微结构复弹性矩阵的虚部）和阻尼因子（微结构复弹性矩阵的虚部与实部之比）都相对较高,且呈现负泊松比现象。优化后复合结构的动力学性能显著提高。     

基于可行域调整的多相材料结构拓扑优化设计

针对多相材料结构柔顺度拓扑优化问题及其存在多个局部优化解的情况,提出一种新的多相材料结构柔顺度拓扑优化问题的求解方法, 并研究其获得多个局部优化解及寻找较好的优化解的能力。基于材料属性有理近似 （RAMP）模型,引入可行域调整技术,构建多相材料结构拓扑优化模型及近似优化模型。提出一种改进的交替主动相算法,该算法将多相材料结构拓扑近似优化模型分解为多个含2个主动相材料体积约束的系列二元相拓扑优化子模型,并利用光滑化对偶算法进行优化求解。与现有方法相比,采用多个不同的优化初始拓扑,提出的方法可找到更优的多相材料结构拓扑, 且为多相材料结构拓扑优化的多样性设计提供了一种有价值的思路与方法。     

基于拓扑优化和形状优化的桨叶结构设计

直升机旋翼桨叶剖面结构设计是研究旋翼动力学设计的基础。提出一种联合拓扑优化和形状优化的 两级优化设计方法,可用于桨叶剖面结构的设计。第一级优化以变密度法(SIMP)作为拓扑优化的材料插值方 法,以桨叶体积最小化为设计目标,约束桨叶节点位移和应力,建立桨叶的拓扑优化求解模型;第二级优化以重 构的桨叶模型为基础开展形状优化,降低局部应力集中以及找到合理的边界节点位置。对优化后的模型进行 有限元分析,结果表明:通过拓扑优化和形状优化的两级优化,能够得到满足强度和稳定性要求的结构布局,为 桨叶结构设计提供指导方案。     

拓扑优化在机载计算机结构设计中的应用

为了解决机载计算机零件结构设计过程中出现的材料分布不合理及重量要求苛刻等问题，在设计过程中引入拓扑优化。介绍了基于变密度法的拓扑优化理论，以Hyperworks／Optistruct为拓扑优化分析平台，对某机载计算机零件进行了拓扑优化，确定了零件的最佳材料分布。结果表明：通过优化设计可以在保持零件基本结构性能的基础上减轻其重量。     

飞机翼面结构布局综合设计方法研究

为了探讨飞机翼面结构主要纵横骨架的最佳布局问题,并提供符合工程实际的、用于概念设计阶段的飞机结构设计方法,本文采用分级优化与集成的策略,该策略分为3个层次。第一个层次为拓扑优化,并由此确定纵向骨架的个数与位置的最优布局;第二个层次为尺寸优化,它用来确定翼面的中间参数;第三个层次为稳定性准则优化,它确定横向骨架的个数与位置的最优布局。在分级优化的3个层次中,拓扑优化是独立的,尺寸优化与稳定性准则优化是相互耦合的。以国外某飞机机翼为例,结果表明本文提出分级优化的思路与所采用的集成方法是可行的,并且具有很好的数值效果。作者认为：它对从事飞机结构设计的人员有一定的指导性和参考价值,值得在飞机设计部门推广应用。最后,总结给出5点结论供参考。     

多孔材料夹层结构声辐射特性的两尺度拓扑优化设计

基于均匀化计算理论结合结构构型设计和材料构型设计,建立以声辐射功率为目标的两尺度材料/结构协同优化模型,针对夹层结构声学设计问题,开展了声辐射特性拓扑优化研究。分别给出了声辐射功率对宏观和微观设计变量的灵敏度,结合移动渐近线法(MMA)实现了材料/结构两尺度设计。结果表明,声辐射功率两尺度优化改变了夹层结构各阶主振型的形状和顺序,同时也改变了被激发的振型。此外,算例研究了激励频率和约束对优化结果的影响以及声辐射功率目标优化的特殊现象。     

基于参数化分析的柔性后缘优化设计

介绍了一种自适应柔性机翼后缘变形控制优化设计方法,该方法采用了由单个驱动器驱动的单块式分布柔性结构。该方法的关键在于设计一种合适的柔性后缘结构拓扑形式,使该自适应柔性机翼后缘能够达到精确的变形。阐明了柔性结构拓扑优化设计的数学模型,针对自适应柔性机翼后缘概念设计提出了基于参数化分析的拓扑优化设计方案,并进行了工程化圆整和尺寸优化。最终,通过非线性有限元分析和功能测试,验证了本文提出的柔性后缘优化设计方法的合理性。     

面向增材制造的拓扑优化技术发展现状与未来

增材制造技术通过材料逐层打印制备结构,为复杂构件制造提供了新的成形方式。拓扑优化因不依赖于初始构型的选择,可设计出传统理念难以获得的创新构型,已成为航空航天和高端装备领域高性能、轻量化结构设计的重要手段。拓扑优化与增材制造有机融合,充分发挥各自优势和潜力,在现代制造业中展现出广阔应用前景。回顾了近年来关于增材制造与拓扑优化技术融合研究的主要内容和应用成果,包括以材料结构一体化为核心的多尺度/多层级结构优化设计、以设计制造一体化为核心的考虑增材制造工艺约束的优化方法等。同时,也分析了未来研究工作中存在的问题与挑战,如点阵结构性能表征及其尺度关联效应、增材制造材料成形各向异性、功能梯度材料与结构、增材制造材料与结构疲劳特性等对设计方法和成形工艺带来的挑战,为未来相关研究工作和航空航天应用提供参考。     

A review of topology optimization for additive manufacturing: Status and challenges

Topology optimization was developed as an advanced structural design methodology to generate innovative lightweight and high-performance configurations that are difficult to obtain with conventional ideas. Additive manufacturing is an advanced manufacturing technique building as-designed structures via layer-by-layer joining material, providing an alternative pattern for complex components. The integration of topology optimization and additive manufacturing can make the most of their advantages and potentials, and has wide application prospects in modern manufacturing. This article reviews the main content and applications of the research on the integration of topology optimization and additive manufacturing in recent years, including multi-scale or hierarchical structural optimization design and topology optimization considering additive manufacturing constraints. Meanwhile, some challenges of structural design approaches for additive manufacturing are discussed, such as the performance characterization and scale effects of additively manufactured lattice structures, the anisotropy and fatigue performance of additively manufactured material, and additively manufactured functionally graded material issues, etc. It is shown that in the research of topology optimization for additive manufacturing, the integration of material, structure, process and performance is important to pursue high-performance, multi-functional and lightweight production. This article provides a reference for further related research and aerospace applications.     

基于改进准则法的复合壳阻尼结构拓扑减振动力学优化

针对复合壳阻尼结构的拓扑减振优化问题，以约束阻尼层的有限单元为设计变量，采用体积比、模态频率和振型为优化约束条件，构建以多模态权重系数的结构模态损耗因子数值关系为优化目标函数的拓扑减振优化模型。为了拓展优化目标灵敏度具有不局限于某一变密度法插值模型的形式，推导了数值表达式的一般函数式。动力学优化中优化目标灵敏度正、负数集共存，使得非凸性的目标函数设计变量出现负值或优化函数寻优于局部极值点。为此，推导出复合壳阻尼结构的全域灵敏度改进优化准则法迭代格，以确保每次迭代域均为全域设计变量集。结合有限单元法编程实现了复合壳阻尼结构改进准则法，并对复合壳结构进行拓扑减振优化分析。结果表明：在敷设体积减为全覆盖的50%时，复合壳结构的模态损耗因子增减偏差为10%，具有提升减振的轻量化设计目的；各阶目标函数和拓扑构型所需的迭代次数少，中间密度区域较小，多阶优于单阶模态优化函数，易于获得全域寻优的有效减振。     

An aerospace bracket designed by thermo-elastic topology optimization and manufactured by additive manufacturing

Combination of topology optimization and additive manufacturing technologies provides an effective approach for the development of light-weight and high-performance structures. A heavy-loaded aerospace bracket is designed by topology optimization and manufactured by additive manufacturing technology in this work. Considering both mechanical forces and temperature loads, a formulation of thermo-elastic topology optimization is firstly proposed and the sensitivity analysis is derived in detail. Then the procedure of numerical optimization design is presented and the final design is additively manufactured using Selective Laser Melting (SLM). The mass of the aerospace bracket is reduced by over 18%, benefiting from topology and size optimization, and the three constraints are satisfied as well in the final design. This work indicates that the integration of thermo-elastic topology optimization and additive manufacturing technologies can be a rather powerful tool kit for the design of structures under thermal-mechanical loading.     

流体拓扑优化方法及其在叶轮机械中的应用

相比于结构拓扑优化,流体拓扑优化的发展较为滞后。为了促进流体拓扑优化在叶轮机械领域的应用,根据公开资料中的研究成果,首先介绍了该方法的理论基础,包括优化问题数学模型、流动控制方程及求解方法、灵敏度分析技术、优化不稳定问题的预防措施及几何重构方法。然后总结归纳了流体拓扑优化在叶轮机械气动热力学领域的研究现状,通过对涡轮叶片内部冷却结构、涡轮叶片叶顶结构以及离心压气机弯道设计的描述,指出该方法的技术优势。研究表明,相比于传统形状和尺寸优化方法,拓扑优化具有更高的设计自由度,且突破了结构参数化的限制,有助于挖掘具有优良性能的新型结构。最后,对流体拓扑优化方法在未来叶轮机械设计中的发展进行了展望。     

惯导系统结构拓扑优化方法研究

针对惯导系统结构拓扑优化问题,提出了一种考虑多工况组合和等效边界处理的优化方法.以惯导系统结构件为研究对象,梳理了不同结构件的载荷工况;以刚度最大为 目标函数,以体积分数、结构频率和最大变形等作为约束条件,研究了变密度拓扑优化方法;以某惯导系统的盖板、惯性台体和外壳体3个结构件为例,进行了优化方法验证.结果表明,与传统设计相比,在满足系统刚度、频率及动态特性的前提下,优化后的3个结构件质量分别减小18.3％、22.6％和18.0％,整体质量减小18.7％,实现了惯导系统结构的轻量化设计.     

面向集中力扩散的回转曲面加筋拓扑优化方法

为了提高航天器回转曲面加筋型连接结构的集中力扩散效率,需要开展回转曲面加筋集中力扩散结构设计。传统放射肋设计方法普遍依赖设计经验、难以满足集中力高效扩散需求。因此,提出一种面向集中力扩散的回转曲面加筋拓扑优化方法。第1步,建立了一种基于各向异性过滤技术的集中力扩散拓扑优化方法,保证拓扑优化结果满足回转曲面加筋制造工艺要求;第2步,提出了一种基于网格变形技术的拓扑优化结果智能重构方法,可高效准确地对回转曲面加筋拓扑优化结果进行模型自动重构。基于所提出方法,以卫星平台对接环这种典型的回转曲面加筋壳为对象开展算例研究,并将优化结果与传统放射肋设计结果进行对比。结果表明,所提出的优化方法可得到加筋构型清晰、满足回转曲面加筋制造工艺要求的优化结果,且具有集中力扩散效率高、网格质量依赖性低、拓扑特征重构高效等优点。     

Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization of Multistage Ground-launched Boost Phase Interceptor Using Hybrid Search Algorithm

This article proposes a multidisciplinary design and optimization (MDO) strategy for the conceptual design of a multistage ground-based interceptor (GBI) using hybrid optimization algorithm, which associates genetic algorithm (GA) as a global optimizer with sequential quadratic programming (SQP) as a local optimizer. The interceptor is comprised of a three-stage solid propulsion system for an exoatmospheric boost phase intercept (BPI). The interceptor's duty is to deliver a kinetic kill vehicle (KKV) to the optimal position in space to accomplish the mission of intercept. The modules for propulsion, aerodynamics, mass properties and flight dynamics are integrated to produce a high fidelity model of the entire vehicle. The propulsion module comprises of solid rocket motor (SRM) grain design, nozzle geometry design and performance prediction analysis. Internal ballistics and performance prediction parameters are calculated by using lumped parameter method. The design objective is to minimize the gross lift off mass (GLOM) of the interceptor under the mission constraints and performance objectives. The proposed design and optimization methodology provide designers with an efficient and powerful approach in computation during designing interceptor systems.     

Geometry and size optimization of stiffener layout for three-dimensional box structures with maximization of natural frequencies

Based on the growth mechanism of natural biological branching systems and inspiration from the morphology of plant root tips, a bionic design method called Improved Adaptive Growth Method (IAGM) has been proposed in the authors’ previous research and successfully applied to the reinforcement optimization of three-dimensional box structures with respect to natural frequencies. However, as a kind of ground structure methods, the final layout patterns of stiffeners obtained by using the IAGM are highly subjected to their ground structures, which restricts the optimization effect and freedom to further improve the dynamic performance of structures. To solve this problem, a novel post-processing geometry and size optimization approach is proposed in this article. This method takes the former layout optimization result as start, and iteratively finds the optimal layout angles, locations, and lengths of stiffeners with a few design variables by optimizing the positions of some specific node lines called active node lines. At the same time, thicknesses of stiffeners are also optimized to further improve natural frequencies of three-dimensional box structures. Using this method, stiffeners can be successfully separated from their ground structures and further effectively improve natural frequencies of three-dimensional box structures with less material consumption. Typical numerical examples are illustrated to validate the effectiveness and advantages of the suggested method.