Topology optimization for nonlinear structural problems based on artificial bee colony algorithm

Topology algorithm is suggested for nonlinear structural problems based on artificial bee colony algorithm (ABCA). Although ABCA has been successfully applied to static and dynamic stiffness topology optimizations, it has never been applied to nonlinear structural problems. In order to examine whether the topology algorithm is suitable for nonlinear problems, it is applied to geometrically nonlinear, materially nonlinear, and both geometrically nonlinear and materially nonlinear topology optimization. Waggle index update rule and changing filter scheme were implemented with ABCA to obtain a robust and stable optimized topology. Some examples were presented to show the applicability and effectiveness of the suggested algorithm and compared with solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP). It was concluded that the proposed algorithm can be applied to the above three kinds of nonlinear structural problems and has been verified as effective and applicable topology algorithm.