Topology Optimization of Periodic Structures Subject to Self-Weight Loading Using a Heuristic Method

This paper deals with the actual and challenging process of the optimal design of topologies of periodic structures taking into account the design-dependent loads. The topology formulation used in this paper minimizes the compliance value of the structure and is subject to a total volume constraint while maintaining a periodic pattern and self-weight load. This combination represents a promising and original contribution to the field of ongoing research, although it is not yet widely recognized. This paper aims to fill this gap by presenting the first results of numerical optimization tests. The redistribution of material within a design domain is governed by the rules of Cellular Automata, a locally oriented optimization tool that can be applied to all types of structural optimization, including topology optimization. The technique has been demonstrated by numerical tests on two- and three-dimensional examples. The calculations were performed for different types of periodic schemes. The optimized structures did not show the checkerboard effect or the presence of residual gray elements in the final topologies. The strategy used in this paper ensures connectivity between periodic subdomains without imposing additional conditions on the algorithm.