Speaker
Description
Topology optimization is a powerful and common tool in lightweight design. It is possible to use topology optimization to optimize the surface of an existing part by modelling a shell onto an existing FE model and optimizing the thickness of the shell. However, if the goal is to reduce the mass, it is currently necessary to remodel the existing model with smaller dimensions before running this type of optimization. The reason for this remodelling step is that mass can only be added because available optimization tools only allow for the increase of the thickness of the shell. To eliminate this time-consuming remodelling step, we propose elements with negative thickness values. As a first step towards this goal, we prove that the laws of mechanics also apply when areas are subtracted from an existing solid body and that there are no mechanical and mathematical breach points. The conducted considerations consist of the analytical evaluation in accordance with the established engineering mechanics. Examples are given for the necessary next steps for preparing the transfer of the approach into the FE-Simulation with an outlook on the modelling and numerical challenges that derive from our approach.
