Structural topology optimization with an adaptive design domain

Topology optimization has rapidly developed as a powerful tool of structural design in multiple disciplines. Conventional topology optimization techniques usually optimize the material layout within a predefined, fixed design domain. Here, we propose a subdomain-based method that performs topology optimization in an adaptive design domain (ADD). A subdomain-based parallel processing strategy that can vastly improve the computational efficiency is implemented. In the ADD method, the loading and boundary conditions can be easily changed in concert with the evolution of the design space. Through the automatic, flexible, and intelligent adaptation of the design space, this method is capable of generating diverse high-performance designs with distinctly different topologies. Five representative examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. The results show that, compared with conventional approaches, the ADD method can improve the structural performance substantially by simultaneously optimizing the layout of material and the extent of the design space. This work might help broaden the applications of structural topology optimization.