Interpreting results from topology optimization using density contours

The topology optimization result using material distribution method is a de nsity distribution of the finite elements in the design domain. Interpretin g this result has been a major difficulty for integrating topology optimiza tion and shape optimization into an automated structure design procedure. I t is also one of the factors that limit the extension of the optimization m ethods of two-dimensional structures into three-dimensional structures. This paper presents a process for integrating topology optimization and sha pe optimization. In this process, density contours are used to interpret th e topology optimization result, and then further integrate with shape optim ization. This is a fully automated procedure, since during this process no human interpretation or intervening is required. This procedure can be exte nded to the topology and shape optimization of three-dimensional structures . The optimizations of two- and three-dimensional structures are presented in design examples. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.