Direct Load‐Carrying Boundary Identification‐Based Topology Optimization Method for Structures With Design‐Dependent Boundary Load

ABSTRACT During topology optimization with design‐dependent boundary load, updating the load conditions is necessary. However, it is challenging to identify the load‐carrying boundary in density‐based topology optimization frame. To address this issue, a direct load‐carrying boundary identification method is proposed to describe and update the design‐dependent boundary load, and a topology optimization method for structures with design‐dependent boundary load is presented. First, a Flood Fill algorithm (FFA) based domain extension method is introduced to generate a new structure with a boundary equivalent to the load‐carrying boundary of the original structure. Then, the erosion boundary identification method is applied to the new structure to identify the load‐carrying boundary instead of the original structure. Finally, the load information (direction and magnitude) of the design‐dependent boundary load is determined using a normalized gradient algorithm, which completes the update of the design‐dependent boundary load. This method overcomes the difficulty of identifying the load‐carrying boundary in density‐based methods. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by several examples of minimum compliance (including 3D) and flexible mechanisms.