Development of numerical models for probabilistic topology optimization analysis using the boundary element method

Abstract

This PhD internship project aims to complement the ongoing research project, which is been developed at University of São Paulo in Brazil. This partnership is important to develop new and more efficient formulations for structural analysis. The focus is the topology optimization as a numerical approach to assist the engineering design task. The minimum compliant structures have no ability for stress redistribution due to its natural full stress design. In such case, any manufacturing defect, as cracks, change in the material properties and/or loads could lead to disastrous collapse. Reliability gives the proper approach to determine how uncertainties propagate along the structural system. Based on this knowledge, the design of structural system is less sensitive to all relevant random parameters. It provides a way to propose more efficient and economical structural systems. During this internship, the goal concerns the development of a coupling model based on reliability concepts and topology optimization, giving rise to a promising numerical tool applicable to general 2-D structural systems. (AU)