ResUNet involved generative adversarial network-based topology optimization for design of 2D microstructure with extreme material properties

Topology optimization is one of the most common methods for design of material distribution in mechanical metamaterials, but resulting in expensive computational cost due to iterative simulation of finite element method. In this work, a novel deep learning-based topology optimization method is proposed to design mechanical microstructure efficiently for metamaterials with extreme material properties, such as maximum bulk modulus, maximum shear modulus, or negative Poisson’s ratio. Large numbers of microstructures with various configurations are first simulated by modified solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP), to construct the microstructure data set. Subsequently, the ResUNet involved generative and adversarial network (ResUNet-GAN) is developed for high-dimensional mapping between optimization parameters and corresponding microstructures to improve the design accuracy of ResUNet. By given optimization parameters, the well-trained ResUNet-GAN is successfully applied to the microstructure design of metamaterials with different optimization objectives under proper configurations. According to the simulation results, the proposed ResUNet-GAN-based topology optimization not only significantly reduces the computational duration for the optimization process, but also improves the structure precise and mechanical performance.