Investigation on parametric sensitivity of topologically optimized structures

Topology optimization is a powerful method of material minimization in structural design problems. The obtained topology and the compliance values by this method are very sensitive to each of the input parameters such as, applied force, volume fraction, dimensions, and support-rigidity. In real-life situations, these parameters may vary due to material uncertainty, manufacturing imperfections, and operating conditions. Hence, the topology obtained during the conceptual design phase may not suffice the actual working condition. Thus, it is desirable to explore individual and the combined effects of the parametric variations and uncertainties. This study describes a systematic approach utilized to investigate the effect of different input parameters on compliance values along with material and load uncertainties for a topologically optimized structure. In this paper, applied force, volume fraction, and aspect ratio of the domain are treated as input parameters and their effects are analyzed. Proposed work modifies the solid isotropic microstructure with penalization method to incorporate the effect of uncertainties and uses design of experiments approach to investigate statistically significant input parameters. Four different benchmark problems available in the literature are analyzed and the results are obtained for aforesaid input parameters along with uncertainties. Results obtained from this investigation will help designers/practitioners to select suitable input parameters combination to achieve targeted compliance.