Topological Microstructural Optimization. ANSYS dataset for elliptical cavities
Description
Topological optimization software does not build a model of an object from scratch. It loads a geometric model of a product that was previously manufactured using another method. The process of building a new model is quite time consuming and requires large computational resources. This modeling method is called the finite element method. For each point of the product, the program makes and solves integral equations, taking into account the relationships between all points. The calculation results in a new geometry. The designer can then change something in the model if necessary. The end result is a CAD model. Next, for verification, the model is loaded into other software, where it undergoes a final check for maximum deformations, stresses, and so on. For the illustration of the technique, the optimization was performed with the commercial finite-element program. For the simulation was chosen the proprietary finite-element system ANSYS 2023. The elastic medium is referred to as “matrix material” in order to distinguish it from the inhomogeneities. The role of the inhomogeneities play cavities, or voids. Several different variants of “density-based” topology optimization procedures are possible for the numerical simulation purposes. In general case, the shapes of cavities could have the arbitrary form and must not be circular or spherical. The isotropic elastic material can turn into the transversely isotropic or orthotropic material for the elliptic or ellipsoidal cavities. In the optimal case the principal stresses should coincide with the axes of ellipse and the ratio of axes of ellipse Ε must be equal to the stress ratio.
Files
Steps to reproduce
The program ANSYS 2022 is required. The APDL script "ATOPO77.txt" reads the auxiliary mesh generation file "MESH.ANS". The attached file requires very moderate memory and the number of elements is small enough to run the "Student version" of the commercial program ANSYS. The user can replace the mesh generation file to run the optimization script over the arbitrary 2-dimensional mesh.