Accelerating topology optimization codes using mesh refinement continuation

A new concept for an algorithm accelerating topology optimization programs is introduced and explained in detail, which involves a continuation of increasing mesh resolutions to achieve low-compliance solutions with largely reduced computation times. Comparisons with examples from relevant literature show speedups of up to approximately 60% on discretizations up to the order of 106 elements for common benchmark problems. Improvements in speed can be attributed to taking advantage of running code on coarse meshes as a faster way to generate smart initial guesses to be reused as inputs for subsequent runs on finer meshes. A MATLAB script for the new algorithm and associated modifications to existing topology optimization code is included. Keywords: Topology Optimization, Mesh Refinement, Computational Efficiency, MATLAB

Name thesis:degree_name

Master

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Chen, Austin

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Carstensen, Josephine V.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
• Copyright retained by author(s)

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/151810

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/151810