A simple checkerboard suppression algorithm for evolutionary structural optimization

Checkerboard patterns are quite common in various fixed grid finite element based structural optimization methods. In the evolutionary structural opti mization procedure, such checkerboard patterns have been observed under var ious design criteria. The presence of checkerboard patterns makes the inter pretation of optimal material distribution and subsequent geometric extract ion for manufacturing difficult. To prevent checkerboarding, an effective s moothing algorithm in terms of the surrounding element's reference factors is proposed in this paper. The approach does not alter the mesh of the fini te element model, nor increase the degree of freedom of the structural syst em, therefore, it does not affect the computational efficiency. To demonstr ate the capabilities of this algorithm, a wide range of illustrative exampl es are presented in this paper.