Abstract

This paper approaches the topology optimization problems in plane linear elasticity considering the minimization of the volume with restriction of the stress employing an index of performance for monitoring the meeting of the optimum region. It is used for this purpose the classical evolutionary structural optimization, or ESO ‐ evolutionary structural optimization. This procedure is based on systematic and gradual removal of the elements with lower stress compared with the maximum stress of the structure. This procedure also known as a process “hard‐kill”. It is proposed a variant of the ESO method, called SESO ‐ Smoothing ESO, which is based on the philosophy that if an element is not really necessary for the structure, its contribution to the structural stiffness will gradually diminish until it has no longer influence in the structure, so its removal is performed smoothly. That is, their removal is done smoothly, reducing the values of the constitutive matrix of the element as if it were in the process of damage. A new performance index for the monitoring of this evolutionary process smoothed is proposed herein. The applications of ESO and SESO are made with the finite element method, but considering a high order triangular element based on the free formulation. Finally, it is implemented a spatial filter in terms of stress control, which was associated with SESO technique proved to be very stable and efficient in eliminating the formation of the checkerboard.