Topology optimization of nonlinear periodically microstructured materials for tailored homogenized constitutive properties

TL;DR

This paper introduces a topology optimization method for designing periodic microstructured materials with specific nonlinear properties, validated through manufacturing and tensile testing, enabling tailored material responses for various applications.

Contribution

It presents a novel topology optimization framework for nonlinear microstructured materials with prescribed homogenized properties, including sensitivity analysis and experimental validation.

Findings

Optimized structures exhibit desired nonlinear behavior.

Manufactured samples match numerical predictions.

Method enables design of materials for vibration and soft robotics.

Abstract

A topology optimization method is presented for the design of periodic microstructured materials with prescribed homogenized nonlinear constitutive properties over finite strain ranges. The mechanical model assumes linear elastic isotropic materials, geometric nonlinearity at finite strain, and a quasi-static response. The optimization problem is solved by a nonlinear programming method and the sensitivities computed via the adjoint method. Two-dimensional structures identified using this optimization method are additively manufactured and their uniaxial tensile strain response compared with the numerically predicted behavior. The optimization approach herein enables the design and development of lattice-like materials with prescribed nonlinear effective properties, for use in myriad potential applications, ranging from stress wave and vibration mitigation to soft robotics.