Topology Optimization of Structures for Minimum Structural Compliance

Recently, topology optimization or layout optimization has become a popular topic in the field of optimal design. Topology optimization has been successfully applied to many different types of structural design problems. Most FEM codes have implemented certain capabilities of topology optimization. In this paper, the problem of optimizing the structural topologies is studied for maximizing the static stiffness. In static topology optimization, minimum compliance is considered as objective function to maximize the static stiffness with a constraint on volume. Numerical examples of simple structures, such as cantilever beam, deep beam and bridge pier problems, are investigated and the results are presented.