Topology optimization design for buckling analysis related to the size effect

Abstract

Owing to the excellent performance of microstructures or nanomaterials with well-designed topological configuration, the characteristic scale of structural design is gradually shifting from macroscopic to nanoscale or microscale structural design. However, the size effect that emerges from the small-scale structures may not be explained effectively with the hypothesis of classical mechanics owing to the lack of microscopic parameters in the classical constitutive model. In addition, slender beams within such small-scale structures are prone to buckling failure, which puts forward additional requirements for the stability design of the structure except for the overall compliance of the structure. Therefore, a topology optimization framework combining the modified couple stress theory with the solid isotropic material penalization (SIMP) model is constructed to illustrate the size effect on topology optimization. Numerical results show that the size effect affects the compliance, buckling performance, and topological configurations of the evolutionary structures.