A fully variational numerical method for structural topology optimization based on a Cahn-Hilliard model

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Bell-Navas, Edmund, Portillo, David, Romero, Ignacio
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Bell-Navas, Edmund
Portillo, David
Romero, Ignacio
author_facet Bell-Navas, Edmund
Portillo, David
Romero, Ignacio
contents We formulate a novel numerical method suitable for the solution of topology optimization problems in solid mechanics. The most salient feature of the new approach is that the space and time discrete equations of the numerical method can be obtained as the optimality conditions of a single incremental potential. The governing equations define a gradient flow of the mass in the domain that maximizes the stiffness of the proposed solid, while exactly preserving the mass of the allocated material. Moreover, we propose a change of variables in the model equations that constrains the value of the density within admissible bounds and a continuation strategy that speeds up the evolution of the flow. The proposed strategy results in a robust and efficient topology optimization method that is exactly mass-preserving, does not employ Lagrange multipliers, and is fully variational.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_11096
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A fully variational numerical method for structural topology optimization based on a Cahn-Hilliard model
Bell-Navas, Edmund
Portillo, David
Romero, Ignacio
Numerical Analysis
Mathematical Physics
We formulate a novel numerical method suitable for the solution of topology optimization problems in solid mechanics. The most salient feature of the new approach is that the space and time discrete equations of the numerical method can be obtained as the optimality conditions of a single incremental potential. The governing equations define a gradient flow of the mass in the domain that maximizes the stiffness of the proposed solid, while exactly preserving the mass of the allocated material. Moreover, we propose a change of variables in the model equations that constrains the value of the density within admissible bounds and a continuation strategy that speeds up the evolution of the flow. The proposed strategy results in a robust and efficient topology optimization method that is exactly mass-preserving, does not employ Lagrange multipliers, and is fully variational.
title A fully variational numerical method for structural topology optimization based on a Cahn-Hilliard model
topic Numerical Analysis
Mathematical Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.11096