A Topology Optimization Tool for LS-DYNA Users: LS-OPT/Topology

Topology optimization is a very powerful tool to develop new concepts and has been widely used in engineering problems involving static loading conditions. However, there has been relatively little work for topology optimization of industrial size non-linear dynamic systems. The main issues are non-linear interactions among the material properties, contacts between parts, large strain-rates, transient behavior, etc. A hybrid cellular automata based method, combining cellular automata theory with the fully loaded design concept, has been demonstrated to be effective in generating new concept designs. This method is called hybrid cellular automata (HCA) and is used as the core algorithm to optimize the topology. This method is implemented in the LS-DYNA framework and would be available shortly. The method has shown encouraging results while solving many engineering problems. In this paper, the details of the methodology and a few engineering examples are provided to demonstrate some capabilities of the code. The main problem solved using the proposed methodology is the development of an optimal topology for a 1 million element box-shaped design domain subject to impact.