Abstract: The aim of this study is to explore the potential of various plant ramifications as concept generators for creating a brand topology optimization solution for stiffness design of continuum structures under harmonic force excitations. Firstly, a mathematical model is built to identify analytical laws that underlie the optimality of the effective but individual design rules of existing leaf venation morphogenesis. Then, a new evolutionary algorithm is developed to find the optimal topology of stiffened structures under harmonic force excitations. Candidate stiffeners are treated as being alive, growing at locations with a maximum displacement response gradient along the structural surface. Since the scale of the candidate stiffeners can be adaptively expanded or reduced during the simulation, computational resources could be saved, thereby enhancing the flexibility of topology optimization. Finally, the suggested approach is applied to a case study in which the displacement amplitude at specified locations is defined as the objective and the volume of added stiffeners as the constraint. The simulation process shows how the stiffness design of continuum structures can be conducted automatically using this bionic approach.

Key words: Topology optimization, Adaptive growth, Stiffness design, Stiffener layout, Harmonic force excitation

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