Topology optimization of non-linear elastic structures and compliant mechanisms

A linear elastic response is assumed in most structural topology optimizati on problems. While this assumption is valid for a wide variety oi problems, it is not valid for structures undergoing large displacements. The elastic structural analysis used here accommodates geometric and material non-line arities. The material density field is filtered to enforce a length scale o n the field variation and is penalized to remove less effective intermediat e densities. The filtering scheme is embedded in the structural analysis to resolve the non-existent solution to the solid-void topology problem. In t his way., we know precisely what optimization problem is being solved. The structural topology optimization formulation is also used to design complia nt mechanisms. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.