Vibration reduction using biologically inspired topology optimization method: optimal stiffeners distribution on an acoustically excited plate

This paper presents the development of a biologically inspired method for topology optimization and its application to a vibration suppression problem. The proposed method is based on modeling the structure topology (distribution of stiffening ribs) by replicating the natural growth of dendritic structures, which are ramified branches as those e.g. in leaves or in insect wings. The test case is a plate excited by acoustic pressure. The multi-objectives topology optimization aims to reduce both the vibration amplitude and mass of the plate. Experimental tests are performed for baseline plate model validation and identification of acoustic excitation distribution. A set of solutions are designed by the proposed method and numerically compared with traditional optimization approaches, showing improved performances. Finally, in order to evaluate industrial applicability, the robustness of the solutions to uncertainty in branch widths is demonstrated.