Research on topology optimization of cross joint based on bionic substructure

Aiming at the problem of large dead weight of cross joint and poor effect of traditional topology optimization, a bionic substructure partition method was proposed based on bionics principle, and the structure topology optimization and 3D printing manufacturing of cross joint were studied. First, the original model of cross joint was established by SolidWorks software. The honeycomb was used as the bionic object to topology optimization substructures division. Then, HyperWorks finite element software was used to carry out topology optimization analysis under given load conditions. The optimization objective was set to maximize the stiffness, and the constraint condition was set to volume constraint. The volume constraints of bionic honeycomb substructure and the other secondary substructure were set to 0.8 and 0.2 respectively. Finally, FEA reanalysis was processed by OSSmooth module, and the results of topology optimization were extracted and analyzed. The finite element model of topology joint was transformed into STL file, and the scale model of topology joint was produced by 3D printing. The results show that the optimal topological configuration can be obtained quickly by using only two substructures. The maximum displacement of the topology joint is reduced by 7.73%, the maximum equivalent stress is reduced by 27.06% and the weight is reduced by 34.45% compared to the original joint. The application of this method improves the efficiency and effect significantly for structural optimization. The topology result is produced by 3D printing technology, which solves the problem that complex shape is difficult to be produced by traditional technology. © 2020, Editorial Office of Journal of Building Structures. All right reserved.