Advanced Modelling & Simulation

Topology Optimisation Coursework 2023-24

Background
You are a bridge design engineer, please design a bridge through topology optimisation (TO). The
optimisation region (original design) of the bridge is shown in Figure 1. The original design is a cuboid with
two through holes in the width direction, with a uniform load applied to the top surface and the two edges at
the bottom being fixed. The optimised bridge will be manufactured by steel (Young’s modulus E = 200GPa,
Poisson’s ratio ν = 0.25). Geometric and material nonlinearity do not need to be considered. The design goal
is to maximize the stiffness of the bridge while reducing weight to 15% of the original design. Please choose
the appropriate mesh size (resolution) by trading off the computational cost and result accuracy. You are
required to submit your design report and support files by 23:59 Thursday 2nd November 2023.

Figure 1 The optimisation region of the bridge

Task 1: 2D Topology Optimisation based on the 99-line Code

The design of the bridge is treated as a 2D TO problem in this task. You are required to use a MATLAB code
based on the 99-line TO code to achieve this task. Please list the changes you made based on the 99-line
code and explain in detail the meaning of each change. (Volume fraction≈13.9%)
Tip: For how to convert uniformly distributed loading into equivalent nodal forces, please refer to:
https://www.lusas.com/user_area/theory/equivalent_force_distribution.html

Task 2: 3D Topology Optimisation based on Abaqus/CAE

The design of the bridge is treated as a 3D TO problem in this task. You are required to use the Optimisation
module of Abaqus/CAE to achieve this task.

Task 3: Analysis & Comparison of two Designs

Extract the optimisation results from Tasks 1 and 2 and import them into Abaqus/CAE for FEA, where the
result from Task 1 need to be extruded as a 2.5D geometry with the depth of 30m. Name the two jobs as
Job-(your name)-1 and Job-(your name)-2 respectively. Please insert the screenshots of the contour plots
for the displacement (U) and the Mises stress (S) for both designs in the report, which should include the
full ODB names and legends. Based on the strain energy output (ALLSE) of the two FEA results, which
design has higher stiffness? What else do you find?

Assessment & Submission

This coursework will be worth 25% of your final grade for the course. Please name and upload your report
and supporting files according to the checklist below. Please note that only reports will be graded, but
missing or incorrectly uploaded supporting files may result in some loss of points.
Submission Checklist:
□ Design report (PDF file) → TO_(your name).pdf
□ MATLAB Code for Task 1(M file) → top99_(your 8-digit UID).m
□ 2.5D optimisation result from Task 1 (STL file) → (your name)_1.stl
□ 3D optimisation results from Task 2 (STL file) → (your name)_2.stl