EFFICIENT REANALYSIS FOR TOPOLOGICAL OPTIMIZATION

An efficient reanalysis method for the topological optimization of str uctures is presented. The method is based on combining the computed te rms of a series expansion, used as high quality basis vectors, and coe fficients of a reduced basis expression. The advantage is that the eff iciency of local approximations and the improved quality of global app roximations are combined to obtain an effective solution procedure. Th e method is based on results of a single exact analysis and can be use d with a general finite element system. It is suitable for different t ypes of structures, such as trusses, frames, grillages, etc. Calculati ons of derivatives is not required, and the errors involved in the app roximations can readily be evaluated. Several numerical examples illus trate the effectiveness of the solution procedure. It is shown that ex cellent results can be achieved with small computational effort for ve ry large changes in the cross-sections and in the topology of the stru cture.