A comparative study of the isocontour- and the level set based evolutionary structural optimization method

Abstract

This thesis presents a comparative study of two Evolutionary Structural Optimization (ESO) methods: the Isocontour ESO Method (ISOESO) and the Level Set Based ESO Method (LS-ESO). These methods are both variants of the classical Evolutionary Structural Optimization (ESO) method which is based on removing gradually low-stressed material. Both variants are similar in their heuristic approach taking the von Mises stress as a local removal criterion. However they differ in their topological description: ISOESO is an one-directional method with an explicit boundary representation; the structural boundary coincides with a von Mises threshold stress contour. Material is removed by increasing this threshold value. In LS ESO the structural boundary is represented in an implicit manner by the level set model which is bi-directional and thus able to admit previously removed material. These two methods are compared quantitatively on different benchmark problems.Precision and Microsystems EngineeringMechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineerin