Abstract

Optimum design of structures has been traditionally focused on the analysis of shape and dimensions optimization problems. However, more recently a new discipline has emerged: the topology optimization of the structures. This discipline states innovative models that allow to obtain optimal solutions without a previous definition of the type of structure being considered. These formulations obtain the optimal topology and the optimal shape and size of the resulting elements. The most usual formulations of the topology optimization problem try to obtain the structure of maximum stiffness. These approaches maximize the stiffness for a given amount of material to be used. These formulations have been widely analyzed and applied in engineering but they present considerable drawbacks from a numerical and from a practical point of view. In this paper the author propose a different formulation, as an alternative to maximum stiffness approaches, that minimizes the weight and includes stress constraints. The advantages of this kind of formulations are crucial since the cost of the structure is minimized, which is the most frequent objective in engineering, and they guarantee the structural feasibility since stresses are constrained. In addition, this approach allows to avoid some of the drawbacks and numerical instabilities related to maximum stiffness approaches. Finally, some practical examples have been solved in order to verify the validity of the results obtained and the advantages of the proposed formulation.

Abstract

Weight reduction has always been a challenge for the automotive industry, mainly to reduce consumption but also improve handling. In electric vehicle design, the battery packs, their shape and positioning are critical aspects that determine the overall weight, weight distribution and, as a consequence, the efficiency, dynamics and stability of the vehicle. This presented a new challenge, to manage this necessary and inflexible weight and volume, developing the vehicle chassis around it and in the best possible way, without compromising the overall efficiency and behaviour. In this work, a methodology for nested topology optimization has been developed which combines structural topology optimization and battery pack shaping and positioning. The new methodology is implemented, without limiting its applicability, into the framework of the commercial software Hyperstudy by Altair. Document type: Article