Robust topology optimization of 2D and 3D continuum and truss structures using a spectral stochastic finite element method

In this paper a framework is introduced for robust structural topology optimization for 2D and 3D continuum and truss problems. Spectral stochastic nite element method is used, with a polynomial chaos expansion to propagate uncertainties on the material characteristics to the response quantities. The uncertain parameters are modelled using a spatially correlated random eld which is discretized using the Karhunen-Loeve expansion. Special attention is paid to addressing the representation of the material uncertainties in linear truss elements. Several examples demonstrate the method on both 2D and 3D continuum and truss structures.

Publication year:2013

Keywords:Robust optimization, structural Optimization, topology optimization, truss optimization, stochastic finite element method